Davis Denounces SNAP Benefit Cuts

CHICAGO, Ill. – In the last week of fall veto session, state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, is supporting a resolution condemning the cut of SNAP benefits beginning on November 1. The Trump Administration refuses to allocate food assistance for low and modest-income families, though funds are readily available.

“The ability to buy food isn’t a political bargaining chip. We’re talking about people, children, all across the state potentially going hungry this month. I’m a proud mom of three children. I cannot fathom how families are feeling knowing their access to SNAP and other services are clouded in uncertainty,” said Davis.

The fiscally and socially responsible budget Davis 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).

“There is no shame in receiving SNAP benefits,” said Davis. “If the federal government can pay for masked ICE agents in the streets of Chicago during a government shutdown, surely the federal government could release funds for families to buy food. In Illinois, we’ll do as much as we can to help our people make it through this challenging time.”