CHICAGO, Ill. – Smart fiscal tools included in this year’s budget by state Rep. Mary Gill, D- Chicago, are helping to defend food security for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, even as Washington dysfunction threatens this vital lifeline.
“There are thousands of people in my district who are having their access to food held hostage by Washington,” Gill said. “While we cannot fill the vacuum left by the government shutdown, the funds released as a result of our budget tools will help people across the state. As the shutdown progresses, I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that everyone in my district has their needs met.”
The budget Gill passed in May included reserve funding to anticipate cuts made during the current administration, including SNAP funding. A $100 million reserve fund was created with flexibility to transfer funds to meet urgent needs. Illinois transferred $20 million in funding to support seven food banks that supply over 2,600 food pantries across Illinois.
More than 1.8 million people in Illinois lost access to federal food assistance on Nov. 1 as a result of the federal government shutdown that has exceeded 30 days at this point.
To access emergency food assistance in Chicago, visit www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food-2/.
Rep. Mary Gill
(D-Chicago)
35th District
Springfield Office:
279-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8200
District Office:
10400 S. Western
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-8128