Politics
‘The Lines Are Already Long’: How Cuts to SNAP, Medicaid Could Impact Illinois
Local advocates are scrambling to influence lawmakers in Congress as the U.S. House of Representatives votes on President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” The legislation, passed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday in a 51-50 vote, proposes steep cuts to programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), potentially leaving millions of Americans without food and health care access.
In Illinois, 1.9 million residents receive SNAP benefits, including more than 891,000 people in Cook County. Approximately 3.4 million Illinoisans are covered by Medicaid.
The legislation would slash $287 billion from SNAP and more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act over the next decade.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s office said the loss in federal funding could cost the state $1.2 billion annually.
“The food pantries are going to feel it,” said Danielle Perry, vice president of policy and advocacy at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “The lines are already long. We’re at the numbers we were during COVID. Can you imagine what will happen when people lose their SNAP benefits?”
The bill also proposes expanding work requirements for both SNAP and Medicaid. Currently, able-bodied adults without dependents must work at least 20 hours per week or face time limits on benefits. The new bill would expand that requirement to include older adults aged 55–64 and parents of children 14 and older.
“People have this misconception that people who are on public benefits don’t work or don’t want to work,” said Niya Kelly, director of state legislative policy, equity and transformation at the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness. “Six out of 10 individuals who are on Medicaid who can work, do work. For those who don’t work, it’s a lack of access to child care, maybe a disability, they’re enrolled in school.”
Local SNAP recipient Cody Martin said he turned to the program after a job loss.
“I receive the minimum,” said Martin, referring to the $23 he receives monthly from his SNAP benefit. He said that while it’s not much, it does help a bit to relieve the burden of other expenses.
“We should all be willing to help one another get back on our feet,” Martin said.
Read More: Food Banks and Pantries Warn About ‘Catastrophic’ Effects of Trump’s Policy Bill
