SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The balanced, fiscally responsible state budget passed by state Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, in May will transfer $20 million in new funding for local food banks amid the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for nearly 2 million Illinoisans.
“Trump multi-week government shutdown continues to hurt families across Illinois, and we have to take steps to help alleviate this pain and keep kids fed and healthy,” Crawford said. “Our recent state budget ensured that we’d have reserve funds at the ready should federal chaos come to Illinois, and it has. This is not a one-time solution to the perpetual chaos that is coming from Washington; we will keep working to protect Illinois families, support local organizations that are keeping families fed and push back against the gross, purposeful mismanagement by this administration.”
Crawford helped pass a smart, balanced budget in May that includes a number of tools to address 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).
To access emergency food assistance in Cook County, please visit chicagosfoodbank.org
Rep. Michael Crawford
31st District
Springfield Office:
Springfield, IL 62706
District Office: