Refugees will soon lose healthcare 2026

<h3>Good morning, Chicago. ✶</h3><p>🔎 <b>Below</b>: As part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," refugees will no longer be eligible for Medicaid after Wednesday. We meet one local family facing this cutoff.</p><p>🗞️ <b>Plus</b>: President Donald Trump visits the suburbs, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle accepts campaign cash from unions amid negotiations and more news you need to know.</p><p>📝 <b>Keeping score</b>: <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-j/" target="_blank" >The Cubs beat the Red Sox</a>, 6-2; <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-t/" target="_blank" >the White Sox beat the Rockies</a>, 4-2.</p><p>🌤️ <b>Today's weather</b>: Mostly sunny with a high near 72.</p><p>📧 <b>Subscribe</b>: <a class="Link" href="https://newsletter-hub.suntimes.com/" target="_blank" ><i>Get our morning newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.</i></a></p><p>⏱️: <i>An 8-minute read</i></p><hr><p></p><h4>TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Omar, 19, uses his eyes to control a tablet at his family’s apartment.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Mark Black/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div>

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</div><p></p><h3><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-h/" target="_blank" >Refugee with genetic disorder faces loss of health care</a></h3><p></p><h5>Reporting by <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-k/" target="_blank" >Elvia Malagón</a></h5><p><b>Omar's story</b>: Omar, 19, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition that leaves him unable to breathe, eat or walk on his own. His parents, Mahmoud and Asmaa, are his caretakers. The three are Syrian refugees whose application for permanent residency in the U.S. is pending. Omar's parents say they worry about what will happen to his health come Thursday, when they, along with an estimated 9,300 other immigrants in Illinois, are expected to lose Medicaid coverage.</p><p><b>Key context</b>: As part of H.R.1, known as President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," refugees will no longer be eligible to receive Medicaid, a state-federal program that provides health coverage to low-income households and people living with disabilities. It's part of a larger overhaul the <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-u/" target="_blank" >Trump administration is making to Medicaid</a>, including new work requirements.</p><p><b>Bottom line</b>: The new eligibility changes will also result in a loss of coverage for immigrants seeking asylum and those who entered the country through humanitarian parole, such as those fleeing the war in Ukraine, according to the state. Other immigrants, like naturalized citizens, permanent residents, children and pregnant individuals, will remain eligible.</p><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-o/" target="_blank" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>POLITICS ✶</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>President Donald Trump attends the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Medinah on Sunday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times</p></div></div>

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</div><p></p><h3><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-n/" target="_blank" >Trump makes first visit to area in 2 years for golf </a><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-p/" target="_blank" >tournament</a></h3><h3></h3><h5>Reporting by <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-x/" target="_blank" >Mary Norkol</a></h5><p><b>Presidents Cup</b>: Hundreds gathered at the first hole of the Presidents Cup golf tournament Sunday at the Medinah Country Club, where President Trump addressed the crowd. "Our country is doing great, better than ever before," Trump said. The crowd chanted "USA," drowning out some scattered boos before he took the stage. "The fake news media will say I got a very bad reception," he said.</p><p><b>Key context</b>: Sunday marked Trump's first visit to the area since returning to the White House, his last appearance being an <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-m/" target="_blank" >inflammatory visit</a> to the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago in 2024.</p><p><b>Inside, outside</b>: On Sunday, Trump received a relatively warm reception inside the tournament, but <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-c/" target="_blank" >protesters had gathered</a> outside since his anticipated presence was announced, saying he was not welcome in the area and his policies hurt Americans.</p><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-q/" target="_blank" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>ELECTIONS ☑️</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at a South Side union hall.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file</p></div></div>

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</div><p></p><h3><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-f/" target="_blank" >Preckwinkle accepted campaign cash from union amid talks with her agencies</a></h3><p></p><h5>Reporting by <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-z/" target="_blank" >Robert Herguth</a></h5><p><b>Sun-Times investigates</b>: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has been accepting millions of dollars in campaign contributions from labor groups that her administration negotiates collective bargaining agreements with, records show. Preckwinkle has, at times, accepted contributions while union negotiations are pending with county agencies she helps oversee, our review found.</p><p><b>No 'quid pro quo'</b>: Under county ethics rules, this practice is allowed. Union support "is a reflection of shared values, not a quid pro quo," Preckwinkle's camp said.</p><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-e/" target="_blank" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>MUSEUMS ✶</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The Obama Presidential Center</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div>

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</div><p></p><h3><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-g/" target="_blank" >Obama Center’s price tag: almost $1 billion</a></h3><p></p><h5>Reporting by <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-w/" target="_blank" >Lee Bey</a></h5><p><b>$1B build</b>: The Obama Presidential Center cost nearly $1 billion to build, the Obama Foundation said. The exact price tag clocks in at $909 million, which is $59 million more than the center's previously released figure of $850 million. Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said the increase is due to "additional amenities" on the campus.</p><p><b>Key context</b>: The amount — all privately funded — doesn't include the $123 million in publicly financed infrastructure improvements made in and around the site. And the foundation is preparing to spend more on the center. Jarrett said the organization's board has decided to create a capital budget to fund ongoing maintenance.</p><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-yd/" target="_blank" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>COURTS ⚖️</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>A woman who filed a lawsuit against Willow Creek Community Church.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times</p></div></div>

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<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Crosses bearing the names of people who have died in immigration custody or during an enforcement action since 2020.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times</p></div></div>

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</div><p></p><ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="line-height: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;" id="rte-c82943b9-bb3e-11f1-9ea1-857edd25b4dd"><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-ji/" target="_blank" ><b>Religious remembrance</b></a>: Catholic leaders and advocates last week honored those killed in ICE custody or action since 2020 with a new roving installation featuring 104 crosses, each bearing a person's name.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-jd/" target="_blank" ><b>Police search cremation business</b></a>: Planet Green Cremations in Glenwood, owned by the couple under investigation for mishandling human remains at South Chicago Chapel, was searched by Chicago police on Thursday.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-jh/" target="_blank" ><b>More on whales’ deaths</b></a>: Two of the four Shedd Aquarium beluga whales that have died in recent weeks suffered from a "chronic gastrointestinal disease," a sickness that likely developed before they arrived here from a Canadian aquatic park, Shedd staff announced.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-jk/" target="_blank" ><b>Workers wait for pay</b></a>: After complaints from neighbors, employees and city officials, Reserv in the South Loop has officially closed. Workers say they're still waiting to be paid.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-ju/" target="_blank" ><b>‘Gentrify GTFO Douglass’</b></a>: A traffic sign stationed near Douglass Park was displaying anti-Riot Fest messages Friday, the day the park was originally supposed to be cleaned and reopened to the public.</li></ul><hr><p></p><h4>ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻 </h4><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-tr/" target="_blank" ><b>In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.</b></a><br></p><ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="line-height: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;" id="rte-c8296ac5-bb3e-11f1-9ea1-857edd25b4dd"><li><b>Police supt. search</b>: The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the group overseeing the search to replace former Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling, is asking the public for their thoughts.<br> </li><li><b>Voting changes</b>: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in President Trump's favor, allowing an expanded online screening tool to purge some voters. Experts discuss what this means for voting in the future.<br> </li><li><p><b>Chicago sports roundup</b>: WBEZ's Cheryl Raye-Stout to talk about the latest.</p></li></ul><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-ty/" target="_blank" >Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.</a><br></p><ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="line-height: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;" id="rte-c8296ac7-bb3e-11f1-9ea1-857edd25b4dd"><li><b>Teen tackle football</b>: Would you allow your kid to play tackle football? Are they playing now? Callers weigh in about the risks and rewards. </li></ul><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-tj/" target="_blank" ><b>LISTEN LIVE 🎧</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>PRESS BOX ⚾🏈🏀</h4><ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="line-height: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;" id="rte-c8296ac9-bb3e-11f1-9ea1-857edd25b4dd"><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-tt/" target="_blank" ><b>Playoff hopes</b></a>: For the fourth time ever, both the Cubs and the White Sox have made the postseason. The Cubs-Padres and Sox-Astros wild-card series begin Tuesday. How to tune in <a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-ti/" target="_blank" >is a little convoluted</a>.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-td/" target="_blank" ><b>Bears vs. Eagles</b></a>: The Bears' offensive line is coming off a rough week and now faces a fierce defensive front — plus Eagles QB Jalen Hurts presents a unique set of concerns. Here's what to watch for.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-th/" target="_blank" ><b>Bulls camp</b></a>: Rookie Caleb Wilson is the headliner as Bulls camp tips off Monday, but the UNC product isn't the only storyline to watch for the new-look franchise.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-tk/" target="_blank" ><b>What’s next for coach?</b></a>: Given the Sky's disappointments this season, it's time to read the tea leaves on coach Tyler Marsh's future.<br> </li><li><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-tu/" target="_blank" ><b>High school football</b></a>: St. Rita returns, and Huntley debuts in Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 7.</li></ul><hr><p></p><h4>CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-floatLeft>
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</div><p><b>Today's clue</b>:1A: ___Lounge (bakery that made chocolate cake on "The Bear")</p><p><a class="Link" href="https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-ydjilriy-l-ir/" target="_blank" ><b>PLAY NOW</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>BRIGHT ONE 🔆</h4><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
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