Harper Responds to Executive Order that Addresses Food Insecurity and Food Access in Illinois

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, issued the following statement as Illinois’ smart and responsible budget tools are delivering $20 million to protect access to food security ahead of Donald Trump’s SNAP cuts: 

“Since President Donald Trump has been in the oval office, he has put our vulnerable communities at risk and his decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is no different. His actions will leave almost 2 million Illinois residents who depend on SNAP benefits to feed their families malnourished. That’s why I am beyond grateful that my colleagues and I passed a state budget that protects Illinoisans from the Trump administration by allowing us to support them in their time of need. The allocation of $20 million in state funding, made possible by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies (BRIDGE) Fund, will support food banks across the state beginning November 1. We know that this is the first step and we will continue to do everything in our power to make sure everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to basic necessities, like food so they don’t face a multitude of health issues simply because the man who took the oath of office to fight for everyone in this country is starving them.”