In the early hours of May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a sweeping budget reconciliation package by just one vote. The legislation includes harmful cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could result in millions of people losing access to essential health care and nutrition. These proposed federal reductions threaten to shift major financial burdens onto states, including Illinois, at a time when demand for human services remains high.
Now more than ever, we must protect funding for community-based services in the Illinois state budget to ensure families across the state don’t fall through the cracks.
Take action now: Tell your Illinois state legislators to support progressive revenue and preserve funding human services! https://www.votervoice.net/ILPartners/Campaigns/127192/Respond
Key Articles and Analysis
- Chicago Sun-Times: Read our Executive Director Lauren Wright’s Letter to the Editor on why Illinois can’t afford cuts to human services. Read article
- WBEZ: How Medicaid Cuts Could Impact All Cook County Residents. Explains how proposed federal cuts could strain Cook County’s health system and affect everyone—not just Medicaid recipients. Read article
- Politico Nightly: GOP Megabill Targets State Medicaid. Features POCIL advocates and highlights how the federal bill penalizes states for supporting immigrant care. Read article
- KFF Health News: Targeting States Covering Undocumented Immigrants. Details how the federal bill seeks to punish states that offer Medicaid to undocumented residents. Read article
- Center for American Progress: District-Level Harms from GOP Budget. A breakdown of the bill’s projected harm by state and congressional district. Read report
- KFF: Summary of Health-Related Changes in House Budget Bill. Tracks changes to Medicaid, Medicare, ACA, and HSAs. Read article
Upcoming Events & Actions
- SNAP & Medicaid Webinar (GCFD). Hosted by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Thursday, May 29,12–1 pm. Register here
- Disability Rights Rally (Access Living). Join the demo Thursday, May 29, 1–3 pm, Federal Plaza, Chicago. Contact Sebastian (snalls@accessliving.org) for more details.
- Citizen Action-Illinois Community Events. Rockford Rally: Saturday, May 31, 12–2 pm. RSVP; Carbondale Rally: Tuesday, June 3, 5–8 pm. RSVP
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