#federally funded programs

[chequerootlurks]

Article from the Chicago Sun Times - Link at the bottom, and in comments.

-=-=-=-

“Trump's federal funding freeze slated to disrupt vast array of programs, Illinois shut out of Medicaid”

The funding freeze could affect trillions of dollars and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Grants that have been awarded but not spent are also halted.

By Tina Sfondeles, Mitchell Armentrout, Lynn Sweet and Fran Spielman

______

As President Donald Trump’s temporary freeze on federal funding to state and local governments seeded disruption and panic throughout the country Tuesday, state officials reported that Medicaid funding in Illinois had shut down.

Trump’s administration announced the pause in federal grants, loans and other financial assistance as they embarked on a sweeping review of spending — a measure aimed at “ending ‘wokeness’ and the weaponization of government,” according to a memo from Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget.

The funding freeze could affect trillions of dollars and cause widespread disruption in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. Grants that have been awarded but not spent are also halted, according to the Associated Press.

Although the White House in a memo stated that Medicare and Medicaid would not be affected by the freeze, Illinois on Tuesday reported that state agencies could not access federal funding sites that included Medicaid.

State agencies started reporting issues to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office Tuesday morning with accessing federal funding sites and disbursement systems, including Medicaid systems, his office said. Pritzker has been in communication with the state’s federal delegation, local elected officials, nonprofits and other governors about the matter.

“The governor has directed his senior team to assess the detrimental impacts of this unlawful action on the state’s budget and services,” governor’s office spokesman Matt Hill said.

Nearly 4 million lower-income Illinoisans had their health care covered in 2023 by Medicaid, a system in which the federal government reimburses the state about half of every dollar in medical costs.

Roughly a quarter of the state population is eligible for Medicaid coverage, including many children, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said the state processed all $518 million in Medicaid bills last week and received its federal match on Monday, before the Trump administration apparently shut down access to the system. “However, I am very concerned about how long this ‘freeze’ may last,” Mendoza said in a statement.

In the federal memo, Vaeth wrote: “The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve.”

Vaeth said each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all federal financial assistance programs.

“In the interim, to the extent permissible under applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders.”

—Impact on Chicago—

Mayor Brandon Johnson questioned Trump’s authority to withhold funding appropriated by Congress, even temporarily.

“These are unprecedented attempts to defund child care or to defund infrastructure projects. This is something that is well outside the purview of the executive office,” a defiant Johnson told a City Hall news conference

After conferring with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Johnson said the Illinois Democrats have “assured me that they are gonna continue to fight on behalf of the residents of Chicago.

“These appropriations have been mandated by the legislative branch. These are laws. As a country of laws and democracy, we prefer when we have leaders who actually are committed to upholding that law,” the mayor said.

Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry said she is now in the process of analyzing what impact the freeze would have on the city’s $17.1 billion budget and on “any existing projects and initiatives.”

The potential impact of even a temporary freeze could be staggering.

Budget Director Annette Guzman said an analysis of all federal grant funding received by the city last year as well as future appropriations enacted by Congress showed that roughly $4 billion hangs in the balance.

“We’re analyzing our analysis again, based on what OMB put out…We don’t know the full implications of what OMB’s actions will mean and we don’t know what potentially Congress will do based on the letter that came out,” she said.

The $4 billion figure is total grant funding to Chicago, with some portion of that total subject to being withheld, if Trump’s edict is allowed to stand.

“We have large grants in infrastructure. We have grants from a lot of departments on the federal level. There’s varying degrees of what we think could be impacted based on pronouncements from the Trump administration both before coming into office as well as since they’ve taken office,” Guzman said.

“We need some time to analyze the letter…what does it exactly mean to pause federal funding. But, we’re doing that work now and we’ll have more to say later.”

Guzman was asked how long it would take before uncertainty turns into consequences. How soon will the city decide not to hire to fill grant-funded positions or not award a federally-funded contract?

“We are reviewing those things right now. We have to talk directly with our departments to understand exactly what programming is at risk,” she said.

“We are hopefully going to be making those determinations sooner rather than later.”

Johnson urged city employees and delegate agencies not to hit the panic button just yet.

“I just want to underscore as I’ve spoken with our senators—we’re not entirely sure if he’s working within the framework of his authority,” the mayor said.

“So, it’s a legitimate question in terms of what this so-called `pause’ means. No one has been able to determine whether or not an executive branch has the ability to…rescind a law that has been specified in terms of appropriations.”

Durbin called the freeze unconstitutional and “above all else, it’s inhumane.”

“Every American relies on federal funding — from public safety, disaster relief, medical research funding, and small business loans to Head Start and child care programs, veterans care, nutrition assistance, food inspections, and so much more,” Durbin said in a statement. “Denying critical funding for our families will not make America great.”

-Cuts to research, violence prevention and more-

While Chicago-area officials grappled with what the federal funding freeze might mean, researchers at the University of Chicago were already being directed to rein in any work that relies on dollars from Washington.

In a faculty memo, University of Chicago Provost Katherine Baicker told faculty to not to “purchase new supplies or equipment, start new experiments, embark on funded travel, etc.”

“This is not a request that I make lightly. The research enterprise is at the core of our University’s mission and is of profound importance to the daily work of our faculty, researchers, staff, and students. I also know that this is insufficient guidance and that you must have many questions (as do I),” Baicker wrote.

“I wish that I had more information to share now, but will continue to be in touch as we learn more. But we must for now proceed under the assumption that grant expenditures incurred after today while this memorandum is in effect may not be covered by federal funding.”

Community activists also sounded the alarm on federal dollars being cut off for violence prevention programs.

“We must stand up and resist this fascism that is taking over our country. And we must do it now,” South Side pastor Rev. Michael Pfleger said.

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) chaired the City Council’s Finance Committee before being deposed by Johnson.

He was among those warning top mayoral aides during budget hearings that they had “better be prepared for major cuts or shifts” in federal spending under Trump.

Now that his earlier warning has turned into a harsh reality, Waguespack said the Johnson administration should be “cautious about spending any federal dollars” going forward until the legality of Trump’s federal funding “pause” is determined.

His conservative estimate is that “tens of millions of dollars” is at risk, potentially threatening Chicago’s ability to bankroll, what he called “the basics like our road infrastructure, our sewers, our overall safety net of infrastructure that we build in every city in the U.S.”

“I would think that every mayor, every village mayor around Illinois not to mention the whole U.S. is looking at their budget this morning wondering how they’re gonna make ends meet if even a small portion is withheld,” Waguespack said.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/donald-trump/2025/01/28/illinois-medicaid-federal-funding-freeze-trump-administration?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2g8dyyuKimcjPOAgLvlOhTcKsrnQtUKT_hwTEDOi1IZd8ZojFf6QrJND8_aem_ETF2ciak7sZ1tR3BK55NUg

[ratisangy]

[michigantopnews]

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Funds Freeze - Michigan Progams. Affecting Millions, Temporarily Spared

A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s freeze on federal grants, loans, and aid, safeguarding critical Michigan programs like Medicaid and Head Start—for now.

Federal funds freeze halted by court order; Michigan programs like Medicaid and Head Start spared immediate disruption. Court Halts Trump Administration’s Controversial Funds Freeze LANSING, Mich. — A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday, halting a White House directive that sought to freeze nearly all federal grants, loans, and aid. The freeze, announced Monday by the…

[jeromepowell]

Rest in peace to a real one 🙏🏻👆🏻💯

[mxliv-oftheendless]

I am so sick of people labeling everything that isn’t inherently exploitative and meant to benefit groups and communities of people deemed beneath them Marxist or Communist SHUT THE FUCK UP you don’t even know what either of those words or ideologies actually are because you’ve been conditioned by Cold War propaganda since the 50s to believe American capitalism = good and communism = bad COMMUNISM IS NOT INHERENTLY BAD AND YOU USE MARXISM AND COMMUNISM INTERCHANGEABLY WHEN THEY ARE DIFFERENT but you don’t care about that you just want to use the words that you KNOW will scare people because Cold War propaganda makes everyone think the Big Bad Commies are going to get us and do Bad Things when really it is YOU doing the bad things but noooo you’re not because you’re upholding American values! You’re not bad! But you FUCKING ARE. And people are trying to further defund public education because they know an uneducated mass public is easier to control and gaslight into believing they are NOT the scum of the Earth the Devil scraped off the bottom of his fucking shoe. But noooo it’s the MARXISM and the TRANSGENDERISM that’s the problem it’s the COMMUNISTS and TRANSGENDER PEOPLE that are going to brainwash and harm our children! Not the government that never does shit except when it’s to exploit and oppress, not the extremist groups that want to push their own narratives into schools because they’re convinced everything else is too WOKE and ANTI-AMERICAN, DEFINITELY not the man who did the N*zi salute TWICE and DEFINITELY not the people having the gall to actually defend him about that. I swear to fucking god I have wasted SO MUCH OF MY TIME trying to be calm and trying to be level headed because I didn’t want to give anyone the satisfaction of getting under my skin but you know what I’m fucking done.

[maxellminidisc]

Every time I write letters to my local politicians I'm always prepared to have a vein rupture from how pissed off their response emails make me. I hate all politicians, but Texas politicians I hate you the most 🙃

[headlinehorizon]

Wisconsin Governor Uncovers Federal Funds to Save Child Care Program

https://headlinehorizon.com/Health/Coronavirus/969

In a surprising turn of events, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has secured $170 million in federal funds to prolong the much-needed childcare subsidy program. Despite opposition, Evers remains determined to keep the program running, ensuring support for families in need.

[ctbraininjurysupportservice-blog]

Ongoing Silence! Lack of Transparency in Connecticut's Federally Funded Programs Raises Alarm

Secret Directory and Practices: Concerns Rise for Brain-Injured Individuals in Connecticut Medicaid

Federal Anti-Kickback Statute | Medicaid Referral Fraud | ABI RESOURCES

Transparency and Accountability Concerns in CT's Federally Funded Programs for Brain Injury Care

Care Managers. Do you have the right to change yours? Understanding Protecting Your Freedoms

Investigating the Legality and Impact of CCC's Secret Electronic Randomization System on Federally

Disability Rights Connecticut (DRCT) Team

Dear Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut ( BIAC )

Dear Governor Ned Lamont, Advocacy Request for Brain Injury Survivors

Alleged Discrimination at Connecticut Community Care | Calls for Internal Investigation

The Importance of Informed Choice in Achieving Free Choice in Healthcare.

Informed Choice and Its Implications for Connecticut's ABI Waiver and MFP Programs

Steps for Consumers to Officially Change Care Managers in MFP and ABI Waiver Programs.

Enhancing Ethical Systems / Advocating for Consumer Rights and "Request to change Care Manager Form

Are They Leaving People with Slower Recovery Behind? MFP and ABI Waiver Programs

Freedom of Information Act Request - Connecticut ABI 1549P Consultation Services Funding.

[oneofthosecrazycatladies]

Okay so we have this huge problem with forgetting about everything that’s happened by the time the next election rolls around so I’d like to keep a running list of things as they’re happening to help remind us when the 2026 midterms roll around. And please add to this if I’ve missed anything.

January 2025:

Donald Trump pardoned 1500 people who participated in the insurrection of January 6th, including those who violently assaulted and nearly killed police officers.

Donald Trump has declared that trans and non-binary people don’t exist.

Donald Trump is working towards firing everyone in the government who isn’t loyal to him.

Donald Trump has effectively fired everyone who he claims is an “illegal DEI hire” …whatever that means

Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization

Congress are trying to pass the Laken Riley Act to, effectively, round up every immigrant in the country, including LEGAL immigrants

Donald Trump removed caps on prescription drug prices.

Donald Trump wants to withhold federal aid to help combat the LA wildfires and help the thousands of people who have been displaced and lost their homes.

The Department of Justice has put a hold on all civil rights cases.

Donald Trump has cut off aid to Ukraine.

Laken Riley Act has been passed by Congress and is awaiting being signed into law by the President. Here’s the breakdown of the votes: House Senate

Donald Trump purged a dozen inspectors general from the federal government and intends to replace them all with people loyal to him.

Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as Secretary of Defense. Here’s the breakdown of how the Senate voted. Note, it was a 50-50 tie that JD Vance had to break.

Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombia after the Colombian government turned away two airplanes carrying migrants. Columbia has retaliated by imposing a 25% tariff of its own on US goods.

Donald Trump has also issued a travel ban for Colombian citizens and revoked visas from Colombian migrants coming to the US.

Donald Trump has now backed off the tariffs and other threats against Colombia. Note for future reference: this comes just hours after Trump made the threat in the first place and he and the Colombian president got into a big fight on social media.

Nearly 1,000 migrants were arrested mostly in Chicago on January 26th by ICE and ICE has been told to meet a quota of 75 migrant arrests every day.

Donald Trump rescinded an anti-discrimination executive order from Lyndon B. Johnson

Donald Trump signed an executive order banning trans people from serving in the military and also ordered that people who were discharged for refusing to get mandatory vaccines be reinstated.

Donald Trump has frozen all federal grants to institutions.

After pressure from state governments, activist groups, and the general public, the White House has rolled back some of the freezes on federal funding.

This.

Donald Trump is trying to fire all federal employees who don’t want to return to the office (work-from-home saves the federal government millions of taxpayer dollars in overhead). He also sent an email to federal employees saying that if they’re not loyal to him, they’ll be investigated.

Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law.

Donald Trump has said he doesn’t think Palestinians should be allowed to return to Gaza but instead should be sent to Egypt and Jordan.

Also this.

Donald Trump has ordered undocumented immigrants to be sent to Guantanamo Bay

Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand federal funding for school choice programs. [x]

Donald Trump signed an executive order saying that he will deport visa-holding students who protest against Israel. [x]

Donald Trump has blamed DEI for the plane crash that killed 67 people in Washington D. C. [x]

Donald Trump signed an executive order that schools should no longer teach about racism and discrimination. And that schools should only teach history that is “patriotic” [x]

Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna wants to add Donald Trump’s face to Mount Rushmore. [x]

Trump’s Department of Education has called book bans a hoax. [x]

The Department of Justice has barred certain news outlets from receiving information from the Pentagon. [x]

The Trump administration has fired multiple FBI officials who investigated the January 6th insurrection. [x]

February 2025

I’ll keep adding to this list as new things come up and, again, please feel free to add anything I’ve missed. I know that in this world of constant news it’s easy to forget, so let’s give our future selves a little help!

[simplegenius042]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cyzor (@cyzorgg)

[queenoftsage]

40,000 signatures needed! as of right now right now we're at 36,000!

[ratisangy]

Due to the fact this bill is written by an idiot most news sources aren't 100% clear on what it will affect. Although no matter how its taken, many goverment funded programs and loans are under attack. Stay vigilant and stay afloat as well as you can during this horrendous time.

I will update as more info is released.

[uwooyoungs]

i already knew we're all fucked but oh god we are so fucked !!

[justsaying4041]

Education Policy Overhaul: Project 2025's Vision for Federal Role in Schools

As a classroom teacher, I approach Project 2025’s proposed overhaul of education policy with a deep sense of concern. While the vision promises to reconfigure the federal role in schools with an emphasis on local control and more market-driven solutions, the reality of such changes may undermine the very foundation of public education and widen disparities across communities. One of the central…

[bethisblogging]

One of my coworkers just confided that she isn’t voting for President because she doesn’t like either candidate but she’s voting republican down the ticket and please tell me what gives conservative energy so I can change because I don’t want to know your bad choices

[investingdrone]

Best Hardship Loans For Federal Employees In 2024

Life as a federal employee accompanies its advantages: stability, great benefits, and the fulfillment of serving the public great. Be that as it may, even the most dependable positions can’t safeguard you from unforeseen crises. A medical emergency, a catastrophic event, or a significant machine breakdown can leave you scrambling for reserves. That is where hardship loans for federal employees…