Families separated by Trump's visa halt

Michael

Apr 28, 2026 - 10:00

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Good morning, Chicago. ✶

🔎 Below: Family members hoping to bring spouses or other relatives to the U.S. are caught in legal limbo that began in January when the Trump administration paused immigrant visas for 75 countries.

🗞️ Plus: Prosecutors detail the shooting that killed one cop and left another in critical condition, West Garfield Park's new wellness center aims tackles the "death gap" and more news you need to know.

📝 Keeping score: The Cubs fell to the Padres, 9-7; the White Sox beat the Angels, 8-7.

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⏱️: An 8-minute read

TODAY’S WEATHER ⛅

Partly cloudy with a high near 60.

TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎

Family of slain Chicago police officer John Bartholomew, 38, arrive Monday for a hearing at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse. — The family of slain Chicago police officer John Bartholomew arrives Monday for a court hearing.

Man shot cops, killing one, after pulling gun from under blanket at hospital: Prosecutors

By Mohammad Samra, Sophie Sherry and Zoe Singer

Details emerge: Prosecutors during a hearing Monday said a convicted felon somehow took a gun into Swedish Hospital after he was arrested for armed robbery, then pulled it from under a blanket after undressing and shot two Chicago cops, killing officer John Bartholomew, 38, and leaving another in critical condition.

Charges brought: Alphanso Talley, 26, of South Shore, faces a host of charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, police said in a news release Monday. He was ordered detained at Cook County Jail. His next court date is Thursday. Also on Monday, federal prosecutors charged a woman with making a false statement while purchasing the 10 mm Glock pistol used in the shooting Saturday.

READ MORE

USA V. MADIGAN ✶

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse. — Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

Federal appeals court upholds ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption conviction

By Jon Seidel and Fran Spielman

Conviction upheld: A Chicago federal appeals court on Monday pointed to a hidden scheme to "exchange enormous political influence within the Illinois General Assembly for over $3 million of benefits" as it upheld the historic conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

Fight not finished: A three-judge panel summarily dismissed arguments from the once powerful Democrat’s lawyers in a 29-page opinion less than three weeks after hearing oral arguments. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling could soon lead to a bid by Madigan to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mayor's IG pick: In related news, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s choice to be Chicago’s new inspector general is David Glockner, a former federal prosecutor who helped ComEd dig out of the federal corruption scandal that culminated in Madigan’s conviction. Johnson’s choice still needs City Council's backing.

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IMMIGRATION ✶

The Tonnelli family pose for a picture. — The Tonelli family is separated and stuck in legal limbo because the Trump administration has paused immigrant visas.

Across continents, Illinois families remain separated by Trump’s immigrant visa halt

By Alma Campos

Visa pause: Immigrant rights advocates estimate at least 300,000 people in Illinois are affected by the Trump administration’s Jan. 21 pause on immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries that the administration calls "high-risk." The list includes 26 countries in Africa as well as Brazil, Haiti, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Cuba.

The impact: The pause affects every category of immigrant visas, including those that allow U.S. citizens to legally bring a spouse, fiancé, child and other family members to the U.S. For families trying to reunite through legal pathways, the result has been a confusing limbo that is not only stressful but can also cost them thousands of dollars.

Key quote: "It’s been agonizing every day, just waiting and wondering when my wife will finally be able to come home," said Mark Tonelli, who is trying to move his wife and stepson from Brazil to the U.S.

More on immigration:

Documenting Midway Blitz: The Illinois Accountability Commission has spent months gathering testimony and reviewing body camera footage, bystander videos, law enforcement records, news reports and court filings. Their findings, and some testimonies, were shared Monday.
Man admits opening fire: A man held for nearly six months on weapons charges admitted Monday that he fired a gun "in proximity of" U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in November, pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.

READ MORE

MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️

Matt DeCaro’s stage career spanned four decades across major stages in Chicago and around the country.

Remembering Matt DeCaro: A longtime and beloved fixture in Chicago's theater community, Mr. DeCaro died early Saturday, hours after a standout performance of "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom." He was 70.
CPS’ $45M deficit: For the second year in a row, Chicago Public Schools is on track to spend more money than is coming in.
Fighting fake tickets: Leaders of Ravinia, Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera and other prominent Chicago arts groups joined together Monday to voice support for state legislation that would bar deceptive ticketing practices that they warn are on the rise.
South Loop housing: Construction started Monday on the next phase of the redevelopment of Harold Ickes Homes, a former public housing complex. More than 40 affordable units are planned, as well as retail and amenities for tenants.
Water Tower Place revamp?: Backed by MetLife Investment Management, the shopping complex is set for an estimated $170 million redevelopment that will reimagine its lower floors.
Children’s garden: Kids can again play among the exotic plants of the Garfield Park Conservatory when the 118-year-old institution reopens its renovated Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden to the public Friday.

FOOD 🥦

Melody Winston is a senior executive at Living Fresh Market in suburban Forest Park. She spoke at a press conference on Monday, April 27. — Melody Winston, senior executive at Living Fresh Market, says local businesses hurt when the number of people using SNAP drops.

Cuts to SNAP food assistance starting this week worry grocers and vendors

By Elvia Malagón

SNAP cuts loom: Starting Friday, thousands are expected to begin losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to newly expanded work requirements. With that, business owners fear a loss of revenue.

Work requirements: Recipients must show proof of volunteering or working 80 hours per month, or attempt to apply for an exemption. The expanded work rules, which now include 55- to 64-year-olds along with parents whose youngest child is 14 years or older, went into effect in February and stem from President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax bill that passed last year.

Key info:

Update your SNAP info: The state created a website where you can see if you meet the new program requirements.
Find a food pantry: Here’s a list of pantries in the Chicago area.
Where to volunteer: Meals on Wheels Chicago, Nourishing Hope or Care For Friends, which can be reached at 773-932-1010.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES ❤️

Members of the 2 Sisters Line Dance & Steppin during a workshop at the opening of the Sankofa Village Wellness Center on Thursday. — People participate in a 2 Sisters Line Dance & Steppin workshop at the Sankofa Village Wellness Center’s opening last week.

West Garfield Park celebrates new wellness center aimed at reducing ‘death gap’

By Kristen Schorsch

Neighborhood resource: Dozens gathered last Thursday for the opening of the city-backed Sankofa Village Wellness Center in West Garfield Park. At the 60,000-square-foot center, residents can see a doctor or a dentist, play in the indoor gym, stroll on a walking track or get help finding a job.

Key context: Sankofa Village was years in the making and created with community input to improve health disparities in West Garfield Park. In 2023, residents in this mostly Black neighborhood were expected to live until 67 years old — the lowest life expectancy in Chicago — compared to 87 in the Loop, where the majority of residents are white. Chronic disease fueled by heart disease is still the biggest driver of the so-called death gap.

Bigger plan: Sankofa, which cost nearly $50 million, is part of a bigger plan to create a walkable village with other nearby investments. The idea is to keep money from leaving the area, ultimately improving conditions that contribute to how long a person can expect to live.

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ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻

In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.

After the raid: Seven years ago, Anjanette Young's home was wrongfully raided by police. Now, she's being tapped to oversee Chicago police policy. Young visits the show to discuss.
Day of Jazz: Singer and musician Kurt Elling and Heather Island Robinson of the Jazz Institute of Chicago talk about UNESCO International Day of Jazz celebrations in our city.

Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.

Neighborhood connections: Guests Val Free of the Neighborhood Network Alliance and Rony Islam of Heart of Lincoln Square — and callers — weigh in on organizing your neighbors via block clubs and other community groups.

LISTEN LIVE 🎧

FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚾🏈🏀

Rolison’s wild ride: Cubs pitcher Ryan Rolison followed a long and winding road back to the big leagues, living the ups and downs of a MLB player.
Tanner Murray out: The Sox left fielder will be out 4-6 months with a dislocated and fractured shoulder.
NFC North report: For the first time in a long time, the Bears are floating on smoother seas than the Lions, Packers and Vikings in terms of offseason moves, writes Patrick Finley.
High school basketball: Former Burlington Central star Drew Scharnowski has transferred to Duke, reaffirming that the NBA is within his reach.

CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭

Today's clue: 1A: Great Lakes fish

PLAY NOW

BRIGHT ONE 🔆

Wesley Truman Daniel stands leaning against the mural he painted. — Wesley Truman Daniel painted his mural under I-94 on the border of Forest Glen and Sauganash.

Artist’s wildflower mural blooms under highway near childhood home

By Genevieve Bookwalter

When Wesley Truman Daniel visits his old Sauganash neighborhood, or his parents travel to O’Hare Airport, they drive under the highway overpass at North Forest Glen Avenue, west of North Cicero Avenue.

So when Forest Glen Community Club members requested proposals for a mural in that underpass, the Chicago Public Schools elementary art teacher submitted not just one, but four different designs.

"I was raised in Sauganash," said Daniel, who now lives in Buena Park. "This is a big one."

A mural under an interstate overpass depicts people jogging and biking through a forest of flowers. — Wesley Truman Daniel’s mural.

The team selected one of those designs, titled Dawn Flower Forest, to cover one of the walls under Interstate 94 on the border of Sauganash and Forest Glen. He painted it last fall.

The mural shows native Illinois flowers like black-eyed Susans as tall as the underpass, resembling a forest of blooms. Residents run, bike and push a child on a tire swing among the stems that stand on rolling hills of green. Shades of blue and puffy white clouds billow behind it all.

"It was my wife’s idea to make (flowers) forest-sized and have (residents) strolling through," Daniel said.

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YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️

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Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia

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