Johnson Condemns Trump Administration Measures Driving Up the Cost of Living for Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, is standing up to Washington’s affordability crisis by voting to formally condemn the illegal Trump tariffs that have raised the price of everything from groceries to winter clothing, demanding reinstatement of Affordable Care Act subsidies that make healthcare more affordable, and rejecting unconstitutional efforts to freeze funding for affordable childcare.

“Right now, across the country, Americans are experiencing an affordability crisis,” said Johnson. “Everything from groceries to electronics to healthcare insurance have seen prices rise exponentially. Here, in Illinois, we’re fighting to make everyday life affordable again.” Illinoisans are facing skyrocketing expenses for medical care due to Trump and Republican leaders allowing Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire on Jan. 1 of this year. Consumers have also faced tariff-motivated price increases on a broad swath of goods—from groceries to warm winter clothing.

Additionally, the Trump Administration recently froze $10 billion in funding for affordable childcare, making one of the greatest expenses working families face even more daunting and jeopardizing care for 100,000 Illinois children. Johnson is fighting back by advancing House Resolutions formally condemning the causes of this affordability crisis, and demanding solutions:

• House Resolution 620 calls on Congress and the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate the 2022 healthcare subsidies. Because these subsidies were allowed to lapse in January, families are now facing nearly $1,000 in annual premium increases–with rural and downstate communities facing average increases as high as $2,000.
• House Resolution 621 condemns Donald Trump’s effort to freeze funds for affordable child care and calls for the immediate release of all congressionally approved child care funds.
• House Resolution 623 calls on Donald Trump to stop his unconstitutional tariff scheme that cost families upwards of $1,200 and robs people of opportunities to save for the future. The resolution demands the United States Treasury issue $2,000 payments to every middle-class and modest-income household as a way of refunding families’ lost wages and savings, apologizing for Trump’s illegal tax increases.

“Bringing prices down and making the state affordable again is going to be our primary concern throughout session this year,” said Johnson. “Representing my community means tackling these issues head on because it’s something that’s affecting everyone, no matter where they came from. When we’re working to make Illinois affordable, we’re working for you.”