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Learn why we’re advocating to protect the social safety net

Working for equitable access to nutrition for all

We are expecting significant federal-level threats on our nutrition safety net programs like SNAP, WIC and school meals in the years ahead. Beyond core nutrition programs, we also expect efforts to cut and reduce access critical health, human services and public benefits programs—including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Affordable Care Act, Supplemental Security Income, and housing assistance. Together with harmful immigration policies and deportations could have a devastating impact on hunger and poverty in Cook County.

It is more important now than ever before that we collectively defend and strengthen these lifeline programs, while also advancing impactful policies to ensure every neighbor has the food they need to thrive. In partnership with local, state and national coalitions like Protecting Immigrant Families and Protect Our Care Illinois, the Food Depository will advocate to protect other public benefits and immigrant rights.

Protect Other Public Benefits Programs

Protect critical health, human services and public benefit programs from dangerous proposals to restrict eligibility, reduce benefits, or convert federal programs into state block grants. Food insecure households already often must make difficult choices between paying for rent, medical care, medications or groceries. Medicaid covers one out of every five Illinoisians (19.5%) in 2023 (i) and nearly 50,000 births (39% of all births in the state) were financed by Medicaid in 2022 (ii) Cutting these safety net programs would increase hardship and hunger.

Advocate Against Changes to Public Charge

Push back on efforts to broaden the list of public benefit programs that would be considered evidence that someone is likely to become a “public charge” and should be denied admission into the U.S. or adjustment of immigration status. Public charge changes under the prior Trump administration had a chilling effect on public benefits participation for mixed-status and non-citizen households for programs like SNAP, WIC, and more.

(i) Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population | KFF

(ii) Custom State Reports

Take Action Today to End Hunger and its Root Causes

We need you to help advocate for policies that protect our community from hunger! Our action center is a quick and easy way for you to make a big impact for our community. Sign up to advocate for important policy changes, contact your legislators to act and receive updates about future opportunities to take action.