WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has announced that it will withhold $2.1 billion in funding for infrastructure projects in Chicago as part of ongoing funding disputes exacerbated by the recent government shutdown. The funding freeze directly impacts the long-planned extension of Chicago's Red Line train, which aims to enhance connectivity for less served communities on the South Side. According to White House budget director Russ Vought, the decision was made to ensure that taxpayer funds are not being diverted into race-based contracting practices.
Earlier in the week, Vought also disclosed that $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York would be delayed, affecting significant projects like the new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. This common strategy among Trump's administration appears to target areas that tend to support Democratic initiatives.
President Trump has animated these measures with a recent social media post, presenting himself in a grim reaper guise, reinforcing the administration's hardline approach. Losing this funding poses a critical setback for Chicago's transportation infrastructure, specifically the Red Line extension, which is slated to improve access for many disadvantaged communities.
Additional modernization efforts for both the Red and Purple Lines are reportedly included in the funding hold, which aims to upgrade transit stations and streamline operations where the lines intersect.
Critics point to the broader implications of these funding freezes, particularly New York Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who criticized the hold as counterproductive and harmful to economic growth, especially since these projects are expected to generate thousands of jobs and boost the overall economy.
Furthermore, recent statements from the Trump administration suggest that the government shutdown has forced suspensions in the review of potentially unconstitutional practices within these projects, leading to further complications in the expeditious rollout of essential infrastructure developments.
Earlier in the week, Vought also disclosed that $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York would be delayed, affecting significant projects like the new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. This common strategy among Trump's administration appears to target areas that tend to support Democratic initiatives.
President Trump has animated these measures with a recent social media post, presenting himself in a grim reaper guise, reinforcing the administration's hardline approach. Losing this funding poses a critical setback for Chicago's transportation infrastructure, specifically the Red Line extension, which is slated to improve access for many disadvantaged communities.
Additional modernization efforts for both the Red and Purple Lines are reportedly included in the funding hold, which aims to upgrade transit stations and streamline operations where the lines intersect.
Critics point to the broader implications of these funding freezes, particularly New York Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who criticized the hold as counterproductive and harmful to economic growth, especially since these projects are expected to generate thousands of jobs and boost the overall economy.
Furthermore, recent statements from the Trump administration suggest that the government shutdown has forced suspensions in the review of potentially unconstitutional practices within these projects, leading to further complications in the expeditious rollout of essential infrastructure developments.
