Welch Opposes Cuts to Meals on Wheels, Stands with Seniors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is standing with seniors and senior advocates like AARP to oppose Washington politicians’ dangerous cuts to senior Meals on Wheels, which would affect the more than 115,000 elderly residents who depend on the program.

“Directly targeting programs that exist to help seniors living on a fixed income years is senseless,” said Welch. “Rather than telling seniors and the most vulnerable citizens that they need to fend for themselves, the federal and state government should work to close corporate loopholes and require the wealthy to pay their fair share to provide these vital services.”

Welch 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, Welch recently voted to defend Meals on Wheels by voting to pass a lifeline budget that would commits 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 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.”