SPRINGFIELD –  Illinois families are bearing the brunt of Washington's gridlock as the longest federal government shutdown in history drags into its 37th day. Nearly 2 million SNAP recipients in the state are seeing a small glimmer of relief, as the Trump administration announced late Wednesday that November food stamp benefits will be cut by 35% instead of the previously planned 50%. While this adjustment allows families to receive up to 65% of their allotments, it still leaves them hundreds of dollars short at the grocery store during a time of record inflation and holiday stress.

In Cook County alone, food banks like the Greater Chicago Food Depository are bracing for a 20-30% surge in demand as working families struggle to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats continue to filibuster efforts to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) that would reopen the government and provide full relief to Illinois families, even saying they are “emboldened” to continue the shutdown after Tuesday’s election results.

U.S. Senate Candidate Don Tracy responded saying: 

"Illinois families are tired of being held hostage by Senate Democrats' abuse of the filibuster. They have the power to end this shutdown today by providing the five votes needed to stop their filibuster and pass a clean CR. Enough is enough."

Tracy emphasized the urgent need to prioritize working families over partisan gridlock:
"Reopen the government, pay our federal workers in full, and focus on common sense priorities like lowering costs for working families and restoring public safety. Illinois families can’t afford another day of delay while career politicians play politics with their livelihoods."

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About Don Tracy: 

Don Tracy is a community leader from Central Illinois who has spent his career fighting for small businesses and working families. An attorney for nearly 50 years, Don is Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, the oldest law firm in Illinois. He has served in a number of public service positions, including Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, Secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation, and President of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Born in Urbana, Illinois and raised in Mt Sterling, Illinois, Don and his wife, Wanda, raised their 4 children in Springfield and have been blessed with 8 grandchildren.