National politics: The latest news from Washington D.C.

2024 Democratic National Convention

No cracks in Blue Wall? Top Democrats vow Chicago is ready for convention, despite party divisions

Democrats are deeply focused on Wisconsin and Michigan to help bolster President Joe Biden’s re-election chances — and officials, in town for meetings hosted by the Democratic National Convention Committee, say they plan on showing voters a deep party contrast.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

Watchdog group asks feds to probe Trump over $50 million 'nonexistent' loan to his Chicago company

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a letter to the FBI and Justice Department that it’s possible the loan, connected to the development of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, may be “nonexistent.”

By Lynn Sweet

Columnists

$2 million federal grant to address damage to the West Side by the Eisenhower Expressway

The apartment where Lynn Sweet’s father once lived was demolished to make way for the expressway. President Joe Biden has launched a new program to reconnect communities split by expressways such as the Eisenhower.

By Lynn Sweet

FBI agent James Rudisill takes down a flag at sunset at his home. The Army veteran and his Chicago lawyer are asking the Supreme Court to take his case, which could help other long-serving vets tap college educational benefits for themselves and their families that they earned under more than one version of the GI Bill.

GI Bill

Supreme Court ruling in GI Bill case could force VA to give more than 1 million vets greater college benefits

The ruling Tuesday in favor of Rudisill, who’s now an FBI agent, also could help other long-serving vets tap college educational benefits for themselves and their families that they earned under more than one version of the GI Bill.

By Stephanie Zimmermann

Crime

New Chicago intelligence hub aims to ‘squeeze every last piece of evidence’ out of guns used in crimes

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives facility is the latest effort to disrupt violent crime in Chicago, where police have been taking 12,000 guns off the street every year.

By Jon Seidel

Politics

In Chicago, Ukrainian prime minister seeks urgent military aid from Congress, Illinois investment

Ukrainian Prime Minster Denys Shmyhal joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker and President Joe Biden’s special representative Penny Pritzker to tout the importance of American investment in Ukraine.

By Tina Sfondeles

*** BESTPIX *** Texas National Guard Works To Secure Southern Border In El Paso

Editorials

Work permits for all undocumented immigrants? That's asking too much.

Advocates pushing President Biden to make this drastic, legally questionable move should stick with more reasonable measures to help a smaller number of undocumented immigrants, including DACA recipients.

By CST Editorial Board

Immigration

Feds send $19.3 million for Chicago, state of Illinois to cover soaring migrant costs

“This announcement will help equip the City of Chicago and our state in receiving asylum seekers in a safe and orderly fashion. It’s important to remember the gravity of this situation,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on Friday.

By Lynn Sweet

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a gathering in Manchester, N.H., last year.

Columnists

No dice for No Labels? How Chris Christie almost made third-party presidential run — but didn't

In an exclusive interview, Dan K. Webb, who was in charge of creating the vetting process for the No Labels third-party run, tells Michael Sneed “the ticket came this/close to reality weeks ago.”

By Michael Sneed

Transportation

Feds award Illinois $8.6 million grant to alleviate flooding on I-290, near Maywood

It’s one of 80 projects in 37 states, part of a new $830 million program for strengthening transportation systems against extreme weather events intensified by climate change.

By Violet Miller

The United Center displays DNC 2024 on its LED screen outside of the arena on April 11, 2023.

2024 Democratic National Convention

'Security footprint' plan for Democratic Convention kicked to City Council for Wednesday vote

Protesters, residents and other DNC observers would be prohibited from bringing laptops, large bags, scooters and other items into certain areas closest to convention attendees under a proposed ordinance.

By Mitchell Armentrout

President Biden Hosts Japanese PM Kishida For Official State Visit

Politics

Chicagoans, including Rahm Emanuel, attend White House State Dinner for the Japanese prime minister

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor, brought his wife Amy and two of their children to the dinner.

By Lynn Sweet

The Watchdogs

FDA panel reviewing Abbott heart device included 10 doctors with financial ties to the north suburban health giant

The FDA said nothing about the payments from the North Chicago company when the panel met to assess new technology, a “breakthrough device” for which the agency “may be willing to accept greater uncertainty” when considering risks and benefits.

By David Hilzenrath | KFF Health News and Holly Hacker | KFF Health News

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stand together near a sign that says "Let Immigrants Work!"

Other Views

To jump-start the economy and provide workers, Biden should OK work permits for all undocumented immigrants

Two nonprofit leaders from Chicago make a case for the president to issue work permits to 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., including 500,000 in Illinois.

By Raul Raymundo and Sylvia Puente

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, from left, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., greet President Joe Biden as he arrives at the Soldier Field landing zone aboard Marine One before attending a campaign fundraiser on Monday.

Elections

Biden visits Chicago for fundraiser after pitching student loan relief in Wisconsin

Pro-Palestinian protesters greeted Biden outside the Drake Hotel on the Gold Coast, where the president had a campaign meeting before making remarks at the fundraiser.

By Emmanuel Camarillo and Cindy Hernandez

Elections

Biden heading to Chicago for fundraiser

A Chicago fundraiser for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is expected to collected $2.5 million for the Biden Action Fund, a joint fundraising committee consisting of the Biden for President operation and the Democratic National Committee.

By Lynn Sweet

People clad in winter coats hold signs and and Israeli flags as they march in Highland Park to call for the release of hostages captured by Hamas.

Israel-Hamas War

Six months after Hamas attack, hundreds gather in Highland Park call for hostages' release, support Israel

Protesters pushed for the release of hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants. ‘We are not OK until they are all home,’ one speaker said.

By Mary Norkol

2024 Democratic National Convention

Media representatives to visit Chicago on May 22 for Democratic convention logistics briefings

This week, residents and businesses near the United Center and McCormick Place will receive briefings on how they will be impacted by convention security plans.

By Lynn Sweet

Former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka (left) speaks at a news conference in Pittsburgh in 2015; Former President Donald Trump (right) speaks at a rally on Tuesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Columnists

When Mike Ditka said no to Donald Trump — and Hope Hicks feared she’d hear, ‘You’re fired!’

It was a stunner this week when news hit that former White House aide Hope Hicks may testify as a prosecution witness in former President Donald Trump’s latest trial. It prompted a flashback to a 2016 Sneed column involving a phone call between Trump and Ditka that Hicks thought would cost her her job.

By Michael Sneed

Activists Protest Outside The White House Calling For A Ceasefire In Gaza War

Israel-Hamas War

Biden faces protest over his support for Israel during White House meeting

Chicago-area doctor Thaer Ahmad, who has treated patients in Gaza, walked out of a meeting of Muslim leaders Tuesday in protest of the administration’s continued support of Israel.

By Associated Press