Good morning, Chicago. You might have been up late watching the Super Bowl (sorry Kansas City fans). We were, too. Let’s all ease into the day with these stories from WTTW News.
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President Donald Trump is pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News via CNN)
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President Donald Trump’s move to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government has made waves in both the public and private sectors. On his first day in office, he signed an executive order banning DEI programs and policies claiming the practices created unfair opportunities for unqualified individuals. Companies like Walmart, Target and McDonald’s recently moved to abandon their DEI initiatives. While backers of Trump’s decision say these practices were discriminatory and promoted inequity, advocates argue social equity initiatives are essential to create a fair and balanced society.
A quote:
“We constantly held this idea of equality, with this refusal to do the work of equity. And this is why, for them, they’re saying equity is discriminatory. Discrimination is not our enemy. Prejudice is our enemy,” said Xavier Ramey, CEO of Justice Informed. “We have to be clear about this fact that when we’re trying to rectify the past, it’s not just because the past is the past. It’s because it’s here right now.”
Some backstory:
The practices of DEI started as a response to the work of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, and prior to the 1960s, under the Jim Crow era. Advocates say despite legislation there needs to be efforts made toward equity and inclusion across the government, as these efforts are still not practiced.
Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center, says the current civil rights laws in place allow those who have suffered from racial discrimination to sue and remedy these acts. In order to create equity across the board, Huebert argues states and cities need to focus their efforts on improving the quality of schools in marginalized communities and underprivileged neighborhoods to create better candidates for the workforce.
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A file photo of a farm. (WTTW News)
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The Trump administration’s push for mass deportations has major cities like Chicago on high alert. But some residents in rural areas are also expressing concern — specifically farmers who are worried about losing their workforce.
“Immigrants are critical to the farming industry,” said Rebecca Shi, CEO at the American Business Immigration Coalition. “I mean, I’m having a hard time finding eggs right now, and I’m sure a lot of viewers are as well. We appreciate having avocados and milk, and if you were to just remove a significant part of our farm workforce, we’re going to start seeing $20 lettuce, $16 cartons of eggs, or no milk. Because nearly all of the dairy farmers and farm workers here in in our nation, including in Illinois and the Midwest, are immigrants.”
Some context:
Undocumented immigrants account for 16% of America’s food supply chain, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 42% of farm workers are lacking legal immigration status.
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A file photo of shipping containers. (WTTW News via CNN)
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Fears are heightening over the potential of a new trade war and its possible impact across the country. President Donald Trump has agreed to temporarily pause the 25% tariffs he proposed on goods from Mexico and Canada, the country’s two largest trading partners. While the White House confirmed the pause, there is a risk that the tariffs could still come into effect, leaving the global economy uncertain about whether a crisis has been averted or whether a possible catastrophe could still be coming in the weeks ahead.
“Mexico, the U.S. and Canada together have one of the most important free trade agreements in the world, just the trade between Mexico and the U.S. amounts for $8 billion annually,” said Reyna Torres Mendivil, consul general of Mexico in Chicago. “It at the end of the day, if some measure like this passes or moves ahead, is going to be impacting the supply chain between the two countries, but also the pockets of the millions of consumers in this country and, of course, in Mexico.”
Based on 2024 job data, the Brookings Institution reported this tariff proposal could result in the loss of 177,000 jobs, rising to 400,000 job losses if Mexico and Canada choose to retaliate.
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Back in the Day: February 10, 2020 - Former Chicago Cop Sentenced to 10 Years For Fatal Shooting
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On February 10, 2020 — this day five years ago — former Chicago police officer Lowell Houser was sentenced to 10 years in prison following his conviction of second-degree murder for shooting and killing Jose Nieves, an unarmed 38-year-old man, on Jan. 2, 2017, outside a Hermosa apartment building. Houser was the first Chicago officer to be found guilty of murder since the historic 2018 conviction of Officer Jason Van Dyke for the murder of teenager Laquan McDonald. In 2022, the City Council approved a $1.9 million payment to Nieves' family.
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
City Council
On Monday at 10 a.m., the Committee on Finance began considering a number of lawsuit settlements. They also are holding a hearing on a multi-family housing development in Humboldt Park.
Chicago Board of Ethics
The monthly meeting is set to take place Monday at 3 p.m. at 740 N. Sedgwick, Suite 500.
City Club
City Club of Chicago is hosting a panel discussion on Wednesday at noon titled “Navigating Change: The Local Impact of President Trump’s Early Days in Office.”
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It’s Valentine’s Day Friday. What’s the most romantic place in Chicago?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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