Guzmán demands action to prevent SNAP beneficiaries from losing access due to federal government shutdown

CHICAGO — An outspoken advocate for addressing food insecurity among Illinoisans, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is deeply concerned at the possible cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, on Nov. 1. because of the federal government shutdown. If left unaddressed, nearly 2 million Illinois residents may go hungry because of lack of access to basic nutrients. 

“As a former SNAP recipient whose family relied on this program to put food on the table, I am sick at the thought of thousands of children just like me going hungry because of individuals’ egos and partisan loyalties,” said Guzmán. “Politics should not take precedent over human lives, which is what is at risk when we cut off access to food for millions of vulnerable people, many of them children.” 

SNAP provides critical support for children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, offering the nutrition they need to live healthy, productive lives. The federal government shutdown threatens to halt these benefits immediately, putting millions at risk of food insecurity—including the 26,793 people in the district Guzmán represents who rely on SNAP benefits.

• SNAP

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Helpful local resources for your family

Food insecurity

• Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s website at ChicagosFoodBank.org to access their network of Cook County food pantries and other helpful support services.
• Connect with your neighborhood’s mutual aid organization. Groups like Logan Square Mutual Aid and Albany Park Mutual Aid are coalitions of neighbors pitching in to help each other through difficult times, and offer access to food, toiletries, and more that organize online and through social media.
• Check out my team's spreadsheet of local food pantries organized by zip code here.
• Apply for cash assistance with the Illinois Department of Human Services. Visit their website here for information on the several programs IDHS offers folks in need of support.

Health care

• Check out Chicago Department of Public Health’s database of Community Health Centers—clinics that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to everyone, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Services offered include prenatal care, pediatric care, help managing chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, behavioral health, and more.
•  Visit Erie Family Health Center, which offers a wide variety of services for adults and children, including primary care, women’s health care, prenatal care, pediatric care and behavioral healthcare, to the Albany Park community. Call to schedule an appointment at (312) 666-3494.
• Connect with PrimeCare Health Community Health Centers in Belmont Cragin. This organization offers eight neighborhood locations throughout the Chicago area and provides thousands of people with quality affordable healthcare. Connect with them on their website, org.

• Resources

State government agencies to be more efficient under new Guzmán law

SPRINGFIELD — By clarifying the scope the Department of Innovation and Technology, a new law led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán will help make state government agencies more efficient.

“Without clarity of an organization’s responsibilities, there will be countless misunderstandings between agencies that result in delays in service for the people of Illinois,” said Senator Guzmán (D-Chicago). “I fought for this legislation so that state employees have more clarity on inter-agency collaboration so that we can provide supports to Illinoisans as soon as possible.” 

House Bill 1631 clarifies the role of DoIT by outlining what agencies DoIT is required to cover. It establishes that DoIT is only required to cover transferred agencies, and while they may assist other state agencies if said agency requests them to, they are not required to do so. These clarifications reduce the burden DoIT has faced from state agencies expecting them to complete more requests than they had capacity to address, and will clear up the role of DoIT compared to other state agencies. 

• DoIT
• HB 1631

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New Guzmán law will increase access to youth sports programs

SPRINGFIELD —Under an initiative led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán that was signed into law on Aug. 15, the state will develop a commission on youth sports under the Department of Human Services, intended to develop a strategic plan to ensure that all young people have access to equitable and robust youth sports programs.

“Young people should not have a different experience in their sports programs due to lack of funding, which can leave thousands deprived from being able to foster friendships with peers, or being able to reach their full athletic potential,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “The youth sports commission will help address the inequalities that exist through researching the state’s current programs and working to make youth sports accessible to kids in every community in our state, regardless of their family’s income or existing community resources.”

Representing a historically underserved community and families with children who have been overlooked by state investments, Guzmán is passionate about equitable investment, especially in the next generation and programs to help them develop into the best versions of themselves. One such area is youth sports, where young people develop lifelong skills of teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership—as well as forming long-lasting friendships and talent in their sport of choice. Without equal access to youth sports programs, however, many children are robbed of these formative experiences, and can struggle with developing these skills in adulthood. 

• HB 2418
• Youth Sports Commission

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