The Spin newsletter
Illinois Medicaid covers gender-affirming care. The massive House bill aims to end that. • U. of C. students protest trustees’ ties to Israel as war in Gaza continues
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The Spin

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Illinois lawmakers OK bill eliminating mandatory road testing for drivers under 87

Illinois lawmakers advanced a measure that would eliminate mandatory road testing for drivers under 87 and allow people to report close relatives they believe are no longer capable of driving safely.

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Illinois Medicaid covers gender-affirming care. The massive House bill aims to end that.

The provision is a result of a last-minute change to the bill before its passage out of the House early Thursday.

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U. of C. students protest trustees’ ties to Israel as war in Gaza continues

The morning after the shooting of two members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, university protests in Chicago against the Israel-Hamas war continued.

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President Trump has amassed $600 million in political donations. Here’s how he plans to use it.

Between a barrage of executive orders, foreign trips and norm-shattering proclamations, President Donald Trump has also been busy raking in cash.

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Trump administration seeks to end protections for immigrant children in federal custody

The Trump administration is seeking to end an immigration policy cornerstone that since the 1990s has offered protections to child migrants in federal custody, a move that will be challenged by advocates, according to a court filing Thursday.

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Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students

The Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students in its escalating battle with the Ivy League school, saying thousands of current students must transfer to other schools or leave the country.

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Arrests happening inside Chicago’s immigration court, attorneys say: ‘People are going to be afraid’

Federal agents appeared to have arrested multiple people inside Chicago’s immigration court on Wednesday, lawyers told the Tribune.

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Stop making cents: US Mint moves forward with plans to kill the penny

The U.S. Mint has made its final order of penny blanks and plans to stop producing the coin when those run out, a Treasury Department official confirmed Thursday.

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Homer Glen man charged with threatening state Rep. Nicole La Ha

Illinois State Police have arrested a Homer Glen man charged with threatening state Rep. Nicole La Ha, a former Homer Glen trustee and past Mrs. America winner.

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Orland Park projects big deficit on some Centennial Park West concerts; moves Taste of Orland back to Village Green

Orland Park is projecting a loss of more than $500,000 for some upcoming summer concerts scheduled at its ne