Ammons Condemns Federal Refusal to Fund SNAP

URBANA, Ill. – In the last week of fall veto session, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D- Champaign, supported a resolution condemning the cut of SNAP benefits beginning on November 1. Ammons participated in a press conference Thursday morning, highlighting the Trump Administration’s refusal to allocate food assistance for low and modest-income families, though funds are readily available.

“We will not sit on the sidelines as our friends, families, neighbors and communities struggle,” Ammons said. “SNAP serves around 14,000 people in my community alone. The government refusing food assistance funds is despicable. There is still power in the people, though. If you can, support your community, whether it’s donating canned goods or donating your time.”

The fiscally and socially responsible budget Ammons passed in May includes a number of tools to meet short-term disruptions in federal funding, anticipating the chaotic leadership and deliberate cruelty of the Trump Administration. Among those tools are a $100 million reserve fund, and flexibility to transfer funds to meet urgent needs. On Thursday, 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 will lose access to federal food assistance on Nov. 1 as a result of Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to completely shut off the 100% federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“The federal government might be shut down, but as I can and will continue to fight for our residents,” said Ammons. “While federal Republicans refuse to do their job, Illinois is with our people. We are taking a stand.”