Trump administration pauses $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects amid shutdown

The Trump administration announced Friday that the White House is putting $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago infrastructure projects on hold, the latest move to target Democratic-run cities during the government shutdown.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Friday that it is putting $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago infrastructure projects on hold, the latest move to target Democratic-run cities during the government shutdown.

The director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, said in a post on X that the funding is for "specifically the Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Project." He said it has been "put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting."

The Department of Transportation said the decision to pause the funding comes after it issued an interim final rule this week barring "race- and sex-based contracting requirements from federal grants." It said it sent letters on Friday to the Chicago Transit Authority to notify officials that the projects "are under administrative review to determine whether any unconstitutional practices are occurring."

"The American people don’t care what race or gender construction workers, pipefitters, or electricians are. They just want these massive projects finally built quickly and efficiently," the department said in its announcement.

A CTA Red Line train approaches the 95th Street station in Chicago.Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune via Getty ImagesIt added that the government shutdown "has negatively affected the Department’s staffing resources for carrying out this important analysis."