With federal shutdown looming, what does it mean for Chicago and the state?

Transportation Security Administration employees at O’Hare and Midway airports would have to work without pay if Congress doesn’t avert a federal government shutdown by Sunday. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

The country is once again inching closer to a federal government shutdown — a scenario that will force furloughs for thousands of federal employees in Illinois and could cause significant delays at the city’s airports.

While Medicare and Social Security checks will still be sent out, other programs will be impacted the longer a shutdown takes place, including those related to disability claims. And federal agencies will halt all work deemed nonessential.