Manley Stands with Seniors to Protect Funding for Meals on Wheels

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is joining seniors from throughout the community to stand against dangerous proposed cuts to Meals on Wheels that would affect more than 115,000 elderly residents in Illinois who rely on the program.

“Meals on Wheels provides seniors in our community with nutritious meals that they would otherwise go without,” Manley said. “The proposed cuts on the state and federal level is another example of wealthy and out of touch politicians trying to cut costs by ignoring the needs of our communities. I will continue to stand up against the attacks on our seniors and families.”

Manley is sponsoring House Resolution 274, which states the Illinois House of Representatives’ opposition to efforts by Washington insiders to cut Meals on Wheels or the Congregate Meals Program, or to eliminate community block grants which provide funding for senior meal programs.

As Governor Bruce Rauner refuses to do his job and introduce an honest budget that provides for our state’s most critical services, Manley recently voted to defend Meals on Wheels by voting to pass a lifeline budget that would commit special funds currently sitting unused to sustain Meals on Wheels and prevent local seniors from being denied critical care.

“Meals on Wheels and many other senior programs have been literally starved to the bone while the demand for these services is greater than ever before due to aging demographics,” said Nancy LeaMond, executive vice president of AARP. “Without continued investments in these cost-effective programs, taxpayers will end up paying far more to hospitalize or otherwise care for the frail elderly, many of whom are homebound.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.