ROSELAND — The Chicago Transit Authority’s long-awaited Red Line Extension project hit a major setback Friday as the Trump administration said it will pause billions in federal funding for the project and others in Chicago.

In a post on X Friday morning, Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said $2.1 billion is being put on hold for the Red Line Extension and ongoing Red and Purple Modernization project over concerns about “race-based contracting.”

“$2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects — specifically the Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Project — have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting. More info to come soon from @USDOT,” Vought wrote.

Vought, one of the authors of Project 2025, has

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