🔗 Share this article Administration Pauses Billions for Windy City Infrastructure Initiatives A federal halt on $2.1 billion allocated for Chicago infrastructure initiatives was declared on Friday, as stated by Budget Director Russ Vought. Targeted Projects Among the initiatives affected by the financial halt are the public transit expansion, which was scheduled to begin construction next year and expand mass transit to underprivileged areas in the city. Moreover, modernization work on a series of public transport routes were also paused. Justification for the Freeze The official wrote on social media that the financing was “put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.” The declaration comes after a similar decision earlier this week involving NYC, where the official said that significant funding for infrastructure would be frozen, including money for a planned train tunnel under the Hudson River. National Shutdown Situation This action happens as the US government shutdown enters its third day, with the US Senate scheduled to hold a vote later in the day. Despite the scheduled Senate vote, there is scant confidence that a resolution is near, as opposition lawmakers insist on a set of health-related compromises. Wider Implications At the same time, a rising tally of government departments and personnel are clearly accusing opposition leaders for the stoppage. This government communication by agencies could be a infraction of the federal law, which prohibits government workers from conducting partisan political activity. Furloughed public servants at some agencies have been directed to set out-of-office messages stating that they are not working because the Democratic party caused a shutdown. “The progressive wing has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,” a federal agency page states. Additionally, alerts over economic damage don’t appear to be stimulating conciliatory moves. A study by EY Parthenon indicated that every week the shutdown lasts will mean a $7 billion blow to the economy.