WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is delaying its plans to withhold pay from student loan borrowers who default on their payments, backing off a measure that threatened to deliver a financial blow to millions of Americans.

The Education Department announced Friday involuntary collections on federal student loans will remain on hold as the agency finalizes new repayment plans. The shift reverses course on earlier plans to restart wage garnishments this month after a pandemic-era pause.

Nicholas Kent, the department’s higher education chief, said the agency is “committed to helping student and parent borrowers resume regular, on-time repayment, with more clear and affordable options.”

“The Department determined that involuntary collection efforts such as Administrative Wage Garnishment and the Treasury Offset Program will function more efficiently and fairly after the Trump Administration implements significant improvements to our broken student loan system,” Kent said in a statement.

Federal student loan borrowers can have their wages garnished and their federal tax refunds withheld if they default on their loans, meaning they are at least 270 days behind on payments. The penalties were put on hold during the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments that the Trump administration lifted.

Last spring, Trump officials said they would resume targeting tax refunds for borrowers in default. In December, officials said they would restart wage garnishment in January, with initial notices being sent to 1,000 borrowers the week of Jan. 7.

Both penalties — withholding wages and federal payments — are being paused, according to the Friday announcement.

More than 5 million Americans were in default on their federal student loans as of September, according to department data. Millions more have fallen behind on loan payments and are at risk of going into default this year.

The department did not set a new date for involuntary collections. It said the delay will give borrowers time to evaluate new repayment plans that are scheduled to be available starting July 1.

Friday’s announcement was welcomed by student loan advocates who urged the department not to resume wage garnishment.

“The administration’s plans would have been economically reckless and would have risked pushing nearly 9 million defaulted borrowers even further into debt,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at the nonprofit Protect Borrowers.

Congress last year ordered the department to overhaul repayment plans that critics said had become too confusing. New borrowers will have two options: a standard plan and a plan that lowers payments based on the borrower’s income.

Last month the department scrapped the SAVE Plan, which was created under former President Joe Biden and offered lower payments and a quicker path to student loan forgiveness. The plan had been blocked by a federal judge after Missouri and other states challenged it in court.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/trump-administration-withhold-wages-student-loan-borrowers/ 

Amid reports that federal immigration agents may return to the Chicago area, Northbrook officials have reiterated that local police will not assist them unless a judicial warrant is issued.

The Village Board approved a proclamation Jan. 13 reminding the public that Northbrook will follow the Illinois TRUST Act and condemning actions that “intimidate, target or divide” members of the Northbrook community based on their immigration status or background.

The proclamation, which is modeled after a statement read by Village President Kathryn Ciesla in November, represents the Board’s “desire to codify the statement into a proclamation,” according to the proclamation.

“This proclamation is not directing action,” Village Manager Cara Pavlicek said. “It is the Board speaking in a statement. This is a topic that everybody felt the same about and felt the words were important enough to put onto a piece of paper that could be read by others. This has a little more permanence to it.”

Ciesla’s statement and the proclamation both express “deep concern regarding reports of recent immigration enforcement activity in our region, including in and around Northbrook, both in incorporated and unincorporated areas.”

“Recent immigration enforcement activity and related actions create fear and uncertainty among our residents and businesses and undermine the trust that is essential between our community and some of those who serve it,” the proclamation reads.

In November, Pioneer Press reported that armed federal immigration agents sped up their vehicles and detained a man as school kids waiting for the school bus watched, during an incident in unincorporated Northbrook. In a second incident in unincorporated Northbrook, federal immigration agents stormed an apartment complex, occupied its parking lot and pointed rifles at bystanders.

Concern over the trust between people living in Northbrook and village officials who provide service to them is a “fairly common theme” among village residents, Pavlicek said.

“Regarding immigration enforcement, we can’t interfere in these matters, nor are we participants in these matters,” she said.

The TRUST Act, which was signed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2017, “specifically prohibits our assistance with federal immigration enforcement unless there is a judicial warrant,” the proclamation states.

“We all take an oath of office,” Pavlicek said. “We don’t get to pick and choose which laws we oppose or stand with. At the end of the day, the law stands.”

If a judge issues a warrant for the arrest of anyone accused of breaking a federal law, including immigration laws, Northbrook police are required to comply with following the orders of the warrant, she said.

Several North Shore communities, including Evanston and Skokie, approved resolutions last fall banning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, from using municipal property to conduct their law enforcement proceedings.

Pavlicek said Northbrook village code already prohibited the use of village property for “unauthorized purposes or without prior approval.” The proclamation approved Tuesday did not contain such a ban because it was unnecessary, she said.

“This was not action to do that,” Pavlicek said. “This was action for the Village Board, from my perspective, to make sure everybody understands that we follow the law.”

Northbrook has no authority at the local level in immigration enforcement, she said. Village law enforcement is “geared toward local issues,” Pavlicek said.

“(TRUST) is what local law enforcement has been required to comply with in regard to any federal enforcement of immigration law,” she said. “We don’t instigate, nor do we impede.”

Tuesday’s proclamation was a symbol of Ciesla and village trustees “trying to speak from compassion,” Pavlicek said.

“The Board, also uniquely seated as individuals together, believes in fairness, dignity and respect for all people,” she said.

“They are asking for compassion in our community and saying what they believe in. They believe in the Constitution and the rights that each individual has.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/northbrook-proclamation-police-will-not-aid-ice/ 

An appearance code for commercial North Chicago areas, enhancing the goals in the city’s comprehensive plan enacted in 2024, is now under construction.

Consultants Kimly-Horn & Associates are crafting a plan to be ready for City Council approval in late spring that officials hope will maintain neighborhood characteristics and make changes to places like downtown, Sheridan Crossing when it is developed and other locations.

Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. recognizes that not all areas are the same. He said the new code is needed in North Chicago so new projects bring the benefits of economic development while not drastically changing existing neighborhoods. It fits with the city’s recent rebranding, he said.

“This is another piece of the puzzle,” Rockingham said. “It is needed in North Chicago. It’s how we help to strengthen our community. We have our different commercial areas and streets. Each one should have its own feel to it.”

Areas like Sheridan Road downtown, where buildings are at the sidewalks, will retain the look. So will areas like Green Bay Road, where parking is in front of the buildings, off the roadway.

A group of residents, developers and business owners met with city officials and the consultants on Thursday at City Hall to offer their ideas and vision to guide Kimly-Horn in its work.

“This is a set of rules designed to protect property values, support development and enhance the city’s image,” Greg Jackson, Rockingham’s chief of staff, said after the meeting. “We want people to drive through North Chicago, not around it.”

Jackson said the six commercial areas are 10th Street dividing Waukegan and North Chicago, Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Audrey Nixon Boulevard, Green Bay Road, Sheridan Road downtown and Skokie Highway.

Taylor Wegrzyn, the city’s director of economic and community development, said the appearance code will apply to projects in commercial areas only. It will not impact residential neighborhoods.

All new construction or any renovation project that deals with 50% or more of a building will have to meet the requirements of the appearance code, Jackson said. Creating an attractive appearance is important.

During the meeting, Wegrzyn said a desire was expressed for synergy between new and existing buildings. Some structures, particularly downtown, have frosted windows and security grills around windows and doors. Seeing less of the style is a goal for some.

“They want to see increased transparency,”  Wegrzyn said. “They want to be able to see through the windows and inside the building. Frosted windows and window covers block the views. They want to see a more exciting style. They want to see more creativity in the design.”

Wegrzyn said on places like 10th Street, the “urban fabric” will remain. Green Bay Road, Skokie Highway and Martin Luther King Boulevard are geared toward people getting around by car rather than by foot or public transportation. The vibe is different and will remain so. Some standards apply to all.

“We want there to be a balance between making developments affordable, flexible and uplifting,” Wegrzyn said. “We want high quality.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/north-chicago-beautification/ 

Real estate and video gambling tycoon Rick Heidner spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars to get the petition signatures needed to put him on the ballot as a Republican candidate for governor in the March 17 primary, campaign finance reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections show.

Heidner, a controversial Barrington Hills business executive who put $1 million into his own campaign and who has a new digital ad in which he labels himself as a “Trump Republican for Governor,” also reported receiving $181,000 from a recently funded political action committee led by executives of a construction firm that partners on many of his real estate projects.

The campaign finance report, covering the final three months of 2025, showed Heidner with $1.16 million in cash on hand to start the year, narrowly behind the nearly $1.25 million that conservative activist Ted Dabrowski reported.

Heidner, Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and unsuccessful 2022 GOP governor nominee Darren Bailey make up the main primary field for the right to challenge two-term Democratic incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker in November.

Heidner, a political newcomer, reported spending $239,800 on costs associated with filing more than 16,000 signatures with the State Board of Elections in November to gain ballot access. In addition, Heidner spent $54,700 on polling, among the nearly $270,000 he reported spending before the end of the year, the campaign report shows.

Heidner also benefited from a $181,000 donation from AL-PAC Illinois, a political action committee made up of executives of the Leopardo construction firm. The PAC was formed in April 2025 but reported no contributions until mid-December, not long after Heidner entered the race.

Dabrowski, who formerly headed the conservative activist organization Wirepoints, began October with $1.5 million but raised only $100,000 in the last three months of the year, the reports showed. At the same time, he spent nearly $350,000, including more than $102,000 on consulting. Of the consulting expenditures, $75,000 was paid to Starfish Consulting, affiliated with right-wing radio host and political operative Dan Proft of Naples, Florida, the records showed.

Bailey, a former state senator from downstate Xenia who has sought to capitalize on name recognition from his 2022 run for governor, began the final quarter of the year with $23,100, raised more than $151,000 but spent nearly $140,000, leaving him with just $35,054 to start the year.

Bailey’s campaign reported an in-kind contribution of more than $40,000 from the Save Illinois PAC, largely associated with expenditures tied to Bailey’s kickoff announcement. The PAC is chaired by Brett Corrigan, a former Bailey aide who has since aligned himself with Heidner.

Bailey’s chief donor for the period was suburban businessman Gary Rabine, a 2022 rival for the GOP nomination for governor, who gave $30,000. Rabine’s running mate four years ago, Aaron Del Mar, is Bailey’s current running mate.

Mendrick reported having nearly $61,000 at the start of October and raised almost $34,000. But he spent nearly $62,000 in the final three months of the year, leaving him with $33,169. The campaign reports showed Mendrick spent $25,000 on campaign salaries, including paying $600 to Robert Renteria, his running mate.

On the Democratic side, Pritzker, a billionaire entrepreneur, gave $25.5 million to his campaign in November and spent $2.9 million in the three-month reporting period. The heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune has spent an estimated $350 million on his previous two victories and ended the year with $23.3 million in his campaign fund.

In the open-seat Democratic primary race for comptroller, state Rep. Margaret Croke nearly doubled the cash she had to start October, raising more than $520,000 on top of the $510,000 she previously had on hand. After spending almost $200,000, Croke of Chicago had $833,210 to begin 2026.

State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago began the three-month reporting period with $215,000 in cash on hand and raised another $278,000. Villa spent nearly $189,000, leaving her with $304,214 to start the year.

Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim began October with more than $197,000 and raised $163,502 while spending nearly $120,000. That left her with almost $241,000,

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Aurora reported raising $151,320 to add to the $92,471 she had on hand at the start of October. But she spent more than $144,000 during the three-month period and had just less than $100,000 to begin the year.

The comptroller’s seat is being vacated with the decision by incumbent Democrat Susana Mendoza to not seek reelection. Mendoza is a potential 2027 Chicago mayoral aspirant and has $1.6 million in her campaign fund to begin the year. Another potential mayoral candidate, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, is a voracious fundraiser. Giannoulias, who is seeking reelection, raised more than $900,000 and had $6.3 million to start 2026.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/illinois-gop-gov-candidate-rick-heidner-spent-nearly-250000-to-get-his-name-on-the-primary-ballot/ 

PISA, Italia (AP) — Pisa, que es penúltimo en la Serie A, anotó apenas su segundo gol en casa de la temporada a tres minutos del final para empatar el viernes 1-1 con el Atalanta, que está en lo alto de la clasificación, y registrar su undécima igualada, la mayor cantidad de la liga.

El equipo local dominó un partido sombrío, pero solo había anotado una vez en ocho partidos en su estadio esta temporada y rara vez amenazó con aumentar esa escasa cifra.

Se vio en desventaja a siete minutos del final cuando Nikola Krstovic aprovechó un balón suelto cerca de la portería y disparó al techo de la red desde un ángulo cerrado.

Pero poco después, Rafiu Durosinmi conectó un centro de Mehdi Léris y le dio a Pisa un punto vital en su lucha contra el descenso.

Está un punto por encima de Verona e igualado con la Fiorentina. Ambos clubes tienen un partido pendiente.

Atalanta está en séptimo puesto.

___

Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/pisa-logra-inusual-gol-en-casa-para-empatar-1-1-con-atalanta-en-la-serie-a/ 

The Barrington Chamber of Commerce is inviting community members to the State of the Greater Barrington Area Economic Summit on Wednesday, February 18, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main Street, Barrington.

The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m.

The annual summit gives residents and business leaders an opportunity to hear first-hand updates from local village officials about economic trends, development activity, and key initiatives shaping the region.

Municipal representatives from Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Inverness, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Long Grove, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes are invited to share updates.

The event is open to the public for $20 per attendee, which includes coffee and pastries. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. To register, visit www.BarringtonChamber.com. For questions, call the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce office at (847) 381-2525 or email communications@barringtonchamber.com.

This event is presented with support from Premier Sponsors Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, and Northern Trust.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/great-barrinton-area-economic-summit/ 

Trump, Schumer Hold Rare Meeting At White House To Discuss Gateway Tunnel Project

Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/16/2026 – 17:40

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-schumer-hold-rare-meeting-white-house-discuss-gateway-tunnel-project 

NEW YORK — Bo Bichette and the New York Mets agreed Friday to a three-year, $126 million contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.

A two-time All-Star shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at short. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner.

Bichette can opt out of the deal after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years, the person said.

The deal does not contain any deferred money, and Bichette gets a full no-trade provision. His $42 million average annual value ties for the sixth-highest in baseball history.

It was the latest big development in an eventful offseason for the Mets, who angered fans by letting popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz leave in free agency. President of baseball operations David Stearns also traded two other stalwarts, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and versatile veteran Jeff McNeil — both homegrown players.

The Mets signed closer Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal and reliever Luke Weaver to a two-year, $22 million agreement.

Although he lacks Alonso’s prodigious power, Bichette is a proven hitter with lightning-fast hands and a penchant for line-drive doubles. He would give the Mets a dangerous right-handed bat to help complement lefty slugger Juan Soto.

Because of his inexperience at third, however, Bichette becomes the latest question mark in the field for the Mets even though Stearns has insisted the team must improve its defense and is determined to do so.

Polanco has one pitch of major-league experience at first base, where he and Mark Vientos, previously a third baseman, are the leading candidates to replace Alonso.

The Mets had planned to start Brett Baty at third, where he provides a strong glove. Baty, who also has experience at second base, is viewed as a versatile defender who could see time in the outfield and perhaps at first.

Or, the Mets could look to trade Baty for pitching or outfield help. Gold Glove winner Marcus Semien is set to play second after arriving from the Texas Rangers in a November trade for Nimmo.

Bichette batted .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games for the Blue Jays last year. He homered off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Late last season, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, keeping the infielder out of the lineup until the World Series. He returned for Game 1 against the Dodgers and played second base for the first time in six years.

Bichette led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022. He finished second in the major leagues in batting average last season to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

Bichette turned down a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Blue Jays in November, so they would receive an extra draft pick in July after the fourth round if he completes his deal with the Mets.

The Mets would forfeit their second- and fifth-highest draft picks, along with $1 million in 2027 international signing bonus pool allocation.

Bichette was one of the last remaining big-name hitters on the free-agent market after outfielder Kyle Tucker spurned the Mets and agreed Thursday to a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers.

Bichette, who turns 28 in March, has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays since they selected him in the second round of the 2016 draft. He is a .294 career hitter with 111 home runs and an .806 OPS in 748 major-league games.

He is a son of former big league slugger Dante Bichette, a four-time All-Star outfielder.

Also Friday, the Mets claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays.

AP reporters Ronald Blum, David Brandt and Dan Gelston contributed.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/bo-bichette-new-york-mets-signing/ 

Norridge village leaders say a master plan is being developed in 2026 that includes transforming the former Divine Savior church property into a village center for municipal and police, as well as a community center.

“As we look ahead to 2026, the Village of Norridge is focused on thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, and continued investment in our community,” said mayor Dan Tannhauser. “From major infrastructure improvements to long-term planning efforts like the former Divine Savior property, we are taking a careful, forward-looking approach that reflects both current needs and future goals.”

According to Village Administrator Joseph La Margo, a major focus for this year is for the village to develop a comprehensive plan for the former Divine Savior property, at 7740 W. Montrose. The plan is expected to explore potential uses, including construction of a new Village Hall, police department and community center, along with open space for special events, limited residential development, and locally owned retail.

Public meetings are planned, and a neighborhood-based Steering Committee is being formed to ensure community input. Asbestos abatement at the site of the shuttered Catholic church was completed in 2025, and the village is preparing a demolition request for proposals, La Margo explained in an email to Pioneer Press.

Additionally, he said the village completed over $3 million in infrastructure improvements last year, with approximately $1.6 million of that funded through grants. Projects included water main replacements, street resurfacing on approximately 10 streets, sewer and stormwater upgrades, replacement of roughly 1,100 residential water meters, tree planting, and other critical improvements.

Replacement of the Olcott pumping station, near Village Hall, also began in 2025 and is scheduled for completion this year. This work represents an approximately $4 million investment over two years to replace pumps that are more than 50 years old and have reached the end of their useful life, La Margo said.

“Looking ahead, the Village anticipates investing an additional $2 to $3 million in infrastructure projects in 2026,” he explained. “This includes planning for a streetscaping initiative to enhance the Business District near the mall, as well as work toward an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Harwood Heights to address shared street improvements.”

The village manager said Norridge revenues increased by approximately $3 million last year, while total expenses went up by approximately $100,000.

“What residents may not always see is the operational work happening behind the scenes,” said La Margo. “We have been focused on modernizing internal processes, improving efficiency through automation, and positioning the organization to deliver services more effectively. That work will continue in 2026, starting with further modernization efforts in the Building Department.”

In village leaders’ efforts to bolster community engagement, several new special events were born in 2025, including the Pumpkin Smash, craft shows, cruise nights, and the Reindeer 5K Run.

And, local activities are planned this year to coincide with the U.S. turning 250.

“Overall, the Village remains focused on thoughtful planning, reinvestment, modernization, and community engagement as it moves into 2026,” La Margo said.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/norridge-to-tear-down-divine-savior-church-to-build-municipal-center-olcott-pumping-station-to-be-replaced/