Yingling Stands with Seniors, Opposes Cuts to Meals on Wheels Program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is standing with seniors and senior advocates like the AARP to oppose the Trump and Rauner Administrations’ dangerous cuts to senior Meals on Wheels, which would affect the more than 115,000 elderly Illinois residents and hundreds of Lake County residents who depend on the program.

“Homebound seniors in my district rely on these basic services to live with dignity and age at home independently,” said Yingling. “Taking away access to nutritious meals will have a devastating impact on seniors in my district. Meals on Wheels and similar meal delivery programs for seniors are cost-effective programs that help older residents remain in their homes. Without it, many would be prematurely forced in to unnecessary, expensive nursing home care. None of us want that for ourselves, our parents or our neighbors.”

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

As Gov. Bruce Rauner refuses to do his job and introduce a balanced budget that includes funding for programs like Meals on Wheels that give seniors the tools the need to live better lives. Yingling recently stood up to Gov. Rauner to defend Meals on Wheels when he voted to pass a lifeline budget that includes funding Meals on Wheels through special state funds that are currently sitting unused.

“Meals on Wheels and many other senior programs have literally been 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.”