Employers whose workers need SNAP
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: Stigma and a false sense of security have kept Asian families in Illinois from speaking publicly about their experiences with immigration enforcement, local leaders say.
????️ Plus: A spotlight on employers whose workers still need SNAP benefits, why roundabouts are popping up in the suburbs and more news you need to know.
???? Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: A 9-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ????️
Partly sunny with a high near 39.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Asians arrested in Midway Blitz and their families kept quiet about it — for a while
Reporting by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Communities impacted: In Illinois, more than 140 Asians have been arrested during the second Trump administration, making up about 4% of immigration-related arrests in the state, according to a WBEZ analysis of data obtained by the Deportation Data Project through a public records request. The majority were from India, China and Kyrgyzstan. The numbers only include arrests through Oct. 15, 2025, before the peak of Operation Midway Blitz.
Key context: Local leaders at various organizations serving Asian populations told WBEZ that over the past year, Chicago-area Asians have been picked up at routine immigration check-ins, at airports returning from a trip abroad, in front of homes and schools, outside grocery stores, and in rideshare lots near O’Hare International Airport.
What experts say: The leaders say there hasn't been much media coverage about these incidents, though Asians are the fastest-growing racial demographic in the region. While the diasporas in Chicago include dozens of ethnicities, leaders point to stigma and a false sense of security as common factors that have kept families quiet, contributing to an overall lack of awareness and organizing.
MORE ON IMMIGRATION ✶
- Judge OKs evidence release: A federal judge said Friday she’ll allow the release of text messages sent and received by the Border Patrol agent who shot Marimar Martinez last fall in Chicago. Martinez’s attorney said the texts and other evidence could be released as soon as Monday.
- Unlawfully detained: A federal judge in Indiana found that immigration authorities are unlawfully detaining the Chicago man acquitted last month of offering $10,000 for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
- ‘Wholly inappropriate’: That's what Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke called Mayor Brandon Johnson’s executive order targeting federal immigration agents, telling her staff that the order could jeopardize criminal prosecutions.
- DHS funding: Sen. Dick Durbin said Democrats will continue to block U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding until Republicans agree to 10 reforms in the tactics of federal agents involved in President Donald Trump’s immigration operations. DHS funding expires this Friday.
LABOR ✶
List reveals employers in Illinois whose workers need SNAP benefits
Reporting by Elvia Malagón and Lauren FitzPatrick
Still need SNAP: Among the people in Chicago living in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households who are 22 or older, 47% are employed but need government support to help buy groceries, according to 2024 U.S. Census data analyzed by WBEZ.
Key context: This month marked the expansion of work rules that are part of President Trump’s tax and spending bill approved by Congress last summer. Recipients must work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month if they don’t receive an exemption.
Workers struggle: An analysis by the Sun-Times identified the top ten employers statewide with workers who receive SNAP. Chicago Public Schools stands out as the lone public body among the list of large, profitable corporations like Walmart, Amazon, McDonald’s and FedEx, whose CEOs get paid as much as tens of millions of dollars annually.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- Community mourns Gabryel Ayers: Hundreds gathered Friday at the corner of 79th and May streets, where 26-year-old Ayers was shot and killed, to remember her life and to call to end gun violence in the city. "Tragedy continues to tear at the thread of the soul of Chicago," Mayor Johnson said.
- Deadly cold: Zachary Armistead, 62, died Thursday in Grand Crossing, becoming the 10th person to die so far this season in Cook County due at least in part to the cold.
- Released from hospital: Bethany MaGee, who was set on fire in a CTA Blue Line attack in November, was released from the hospital late last week. "My family and I are grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone," she said in a statement.
- Funding secured: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that he helped secure an agreement with the Trump administration that will protect nearly $1.4 billion in annual federal education funding for the state.
- Back on the road: This weekend, a driver's license reinstatement expo at Malcolm X College provided free legal assistance to Cook County residents to help restore their suspended or revoked driver's licenses.
- Michaels sues muralist: The arts and crafts company is suing Chicago muralist Jordan Nickel, claiming Nickel is wrongfully alleging the store used his imagery without his permission.
- Paper pitch: Alden Global Capital, the investment fund that owns the Chicago Tribune, wants to acquire the suburban Daily Herald newspaper — but it could be in for a fight.
TRANSPORTATION ✶
Why roundabouts are increasingly popping up in the suburbs
Reporting by Robert Herguth and David Struett
Round these parts: Over the last few years, more roundabouts have been constructed in the suburbs. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s district covering state routes in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties now includes eight roundabouts on those roads. Eleven more are planned, and another dozen are being discussed, officials say. Downstate, there are two roundabouts, and the state agency expects to put in another eight. Elsewhere downstate, another 15 are anticipated.
Circular logic: Experts consider roundabouts to be safer and more efficient, and have a longer service life, than traditional intersections with stop signs or stoplights. If they’re put in the right place with the right design, experts say they can slow down traffic and reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. They aren’t necessarily cheaper, though, and can require more pavement, land and design elements, experts say.
What about here?: The Chicago Department of Transportation "has not constructed any modern roundabouts, and none are currently in the works or planned," a spokesperson said. There are numerous traffic circles in the city, though, usually built in consultation with local City Council members and not always liked by drivers.
LET’S HEAR FROM YOU ????️
Should Chicago be like the suburbs and install roundabouts — or more traffic circles? Tell us why or why not.
Email your answer to us (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story
ELECTIONS ☑️
What to know about Illinois’ 8th Congressional District Democratic primary
Reporting by Mitchell Armentrout
Who's running: Junaid Ahmed, Yasmeen Bankole, Melissa Bean, Sanjyot Dunung, Neil Khot, Kevin Morrison, Dan Tully and Ryan Vetticad are running for the Democratic nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in the 8th Congressional District, which is anchored in the northwest suburbs.
Hot seat: Krishnamoorthi is giving up the congressional seat he’s held for nearly a decade to seek retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat. The winner of the Democratic primary will be favored in November’s general election over the winner of the Republican field, which includes Kevin Ake, Jennifer Davis, Herbert Hebein and Mark Rice.
Key context: Representatives vote on federal laws, advocate for their districts, and work to secure federal funding and other resources for constituents. Members of Congress vote on laws that affect all Americans.
Their backstories: A tech entrepreneur who lost to Krishnamoorthi in 2022, a politician aiming to take back the seat she lost nearly 15 years ago, a tech service business owner — these are some of the candidates' backstories. Learn more here.
WATCH: VOTING GUIDE ▶️
FROM THE PRESS BOX ????????????
- Super Bowl LX: The Seahawks went back to a different era in their 29-13 victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday. It was all about their defense and ground game, writes Jason Lieser.
- Hawks analysis: From Connor Bedard’s breakout to Frank Nazar’s slump, Ben Pope breaks down the trends defining this Blackhawks season so far.
- New Sky facility: The Sky's new practice facility will be "operational" by late spring, CEO Adam Fox said. Alissa Hirsh writes about what this means.
- Girls basketball: Waubonsie Valley entered the top three in Kyle Williams' Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 8.
- Boys basketball: Lincoln Park returned and Hillcrest debuted in Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school boys basketball rankings for Feb. 8.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 2D: City dubbed the "Catfish Capital of Illinois" in 2009
BRIGHT ONE ????
Joy fills Humboldt Park during ‘Benito Bowl’ watch party for Super Bowl halftime show
Reporting by Cindy Hernandez
Some fans were settling in to watch the Seattle Seahawks play the New England Patriots, but others were tuning in to see Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny take the Super Bowl stage for the halftime show.
Bad Bunny headlined Sunday’s performance, which some fans dubbed the "Benito Bowl." The 31-year-old, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is the first Spanish-language solo artist to headline a halftime show alone.
In Humboldt Park, Chicago’s largest Puerto Rican neighborhood, organizers of the annual Fiestas Puertorriqueñas hosted a watch party at their VIP Residencia pop-up space, 2701 W. Division St.
The event drew dozens who cheered for the singer and sang along to his top hits throughout the 13-minute performance. Instead of wearing their favorite team’s jersey, partygoers wore Puerto Rican flags, Bad Bunny T-shirts and pavas, the traditional Puerto Rican straw hats.
Organizer Melissa Gomez said she wanted to create an event that would bring the community together, and Bad Bunny’s performance provided the perfect occasion to do just that.
Bad Bunny closed the show with a parade of flags from countries representing North, Central and South America, ending with the message, "Together, we are America."
"I’m feeling really so proud," said Evelyn Cato, 60, of Logan Square. "Despite all of the negativity, he’s brought communities together."
DAILY QUESTION ☕️
On Friday, we asked you: How do you want to see $500,000 used to improve Chicago’s parks?
"Basic maintenance, including more trash [and] recycling barrels and more staff to empty them, and better trimming of bushes and trees. Repair and straighten park benches. Pothole patching on park drives, parking lots and walkways. [The money] won't build a new park, but it could sure improve the ones we already have." — Roger Deschner
"I would love to see the city parks shift to native grasses that don't need to be mowed, instead of the typical lawn grass we see now. Much as I love that fresh-cut grass smell, low-mow lawns are better for the soil, better for biodiversity, better at conserving water, and have more flowers. What could be more 'City in a Garden?'" — Phoebe Murtagh
For more answers on this topic, listen to Friday’s broadcast of “Say More,” where hosts Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith checked in with Chicago Park District head Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and took listener calls. ????
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.
Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you. Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at suntimes.com/member.