Hirschauer Joins Nearly 900 State and Local Elected Officials to Denounce Trump’s Cuts to Medicaid and Public Services

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WEST CHICAGO, Ill. –  Today, in an effort organized by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, and more than 800 state and local elected officials signed onto a bipartisan letter to oppose the federal budget bill, which would severely hurt Illinois and communities nationwide.

The letter warns that significant cuts at the federal level and added administrative costs will cause massive budget shortfalls and put an impossible burden on Illinois to meet. As a result, deeper cuts would have to be made at the state and local levels, hurting local economies and impacting every sector from health care to public safety.

“I’m worried for our families, our seniors, our small business owners — when you truly look at the impact of this budget bill from the Trump administration, it affects all of us. Rather than using his influence of Republicans in Congress to focus on the cost of living challenges families face across the country, Trump prioritizes tax cuts for billionaires which will raise costs for so many of us who are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Hirschauer. “I’m deeply concerned about the impact of Trump’s cuts to healthcare and other public services that will leave our most vulnerable without options. This is not a ‘big, beautiful bill,’ this is simply a way for Trump and his allies to attack lower- and modest-income families from ever seeing relief.”

The full text of the letter can be found below, and a copy of the letter with signers is linked here.

We, the undersigned state and local officials, are writing to express our opposition to the reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) and ask you to protect the public services our communities depend on. By cutting Medicaid, SNAP and other critical public services, this bill threatens to destabilize state and local budgets and force deep cuts across the board that will diminish public services and hurt working families nationwide – all to give billionaires tax breaks.

Medicaid accounts for the largest portion of federal funding to state budgets and is the largest funder of long-term care services in the U.S. Without this critical funding and due to other provisions in the bill, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates roughly 15 million people will lose their health coverage and become uninsured by 2034. The cuts outlined in H.R. 1 will also mean nursing homes, hospitals, home care and other critical health care services will disappear, leading to job losses in the health care sector. As people lose Medicaid coverage, hospitals and providers will face an estimated $48 billion in uncompensated care costs. Altogether, this will place an incredible strain on states, cities and towns and other local governments and will cost lives.

Moreover, the bill’s proposed work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries will impose huge costs on states, including adding compliance systems and a need for greater staffing at agencies that are already understaffed. Experience in Arkansas and Georgia shows that work requirements do not result in more people working. They actually lead to huge losses in coverage for workers due to red tape. The reality is these provisions will result in cuts and needlessly harm our country’s most vulnerable populations who need Medicaid to live.

The bill also shifts $300 billion in costs to states and local governments for both the benefits and administrative costs of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This provision threatens the food security of more than 40 million Americans including one in five children. There will be no way for state governments to cover all these new expenses without making cuts to other critical services like our schools or roads.

The bill also automatically triggers historic cuts to Medicare, which will spell disaster for seniors. As critical health care services are ripped away from seniors, their families will struggle to care for them. That will place huge costs on our workforce, our economies and our communities.

Taken together, the cuts that are included in H.R. 1 will place an impossible burden on states. Forced to make up for the massive shortfalls in federal funding, every sector of our state and local economies will suffer, from health care to higher education, public safety to public schools. Services that our communities rely on will be slashed; and the people who provide them may be furloughed or laid off.

As government leaders, we understand the importance of rooting out fraud, waste and abuse to keep public services strong, but this plan fails to do that. Instead, it would rip the very fabric of our nation’s social safety net wide open to give the wealthiest people tax breaks they don’t need. Meanwhile, veterans, seniors, children, people with disabilities and all working people will suffer.

America’s state and local elected leaders urge you to vote against this damaging and reckless plan. The health, safety, and well-being of our communities are too important.

Hirschauer se une a casi 900 funcionarios electos estatales y locales para denunciar los recortes de Trump a Medicaid y los servicios públicos.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Hoy, en un esfuerzo organizado por la Federación Estadounidense de Empleados Estatales, Condales y Municipales (AFSCME), la representante estatal Maura Hirschauer, demócrata por Batavia, y más de 800 funcionarios electos estatales y locales firmaron una carta bipartidista para oponerse al proyecto de ley de presupuesto federal, que perjudicaría gravemente a Illinois y a las comunidades de todo el país.

La carta advierte que los recortes significativos a nivel federal y los costos administrativos adicionales causarán déficits presupuestarios masivos y una carga insostenible para Illinois. Como resultado, se tendrían que realizar recortes más profundos a nivel estatal y local, lo que perjudicaría las economías locales e impactaría a todos los sectores, desde la atención médica hasta la seguridad pública.

“Me preocupan nuestras familias, nuestros adultos mayores y nuestros pequeños empresarios. Al analizar el impacto de este proyecto de ley presupuestaria de la administración Trump, nos afecta a todos. En lugar de usar su influencia sobre los republicanos en el Congreso para centrarse en los desafíos del costo de vida que enfrentan las familias en todo el país, Trump prioriza los recortes de impuestos para los multimillonarios, lo que aumentará los costos para muchos de nosotros que ya tenemos dificultades para llegar a fin de mes”, dijo Hirschauer. “Estoy profundamente preocupado por el impacto de los recortes de Trump a la atención médica y otros servicios públicos, que dejarán a los más vulnerables sin opciones. Este no es un proyecto de ley grande y atractivo, sino simplemente una forma en que Trump y sus aliados atacan a las familias de bajos ingresos y les impiden recibir ayuda alguna”.

El texto completo de la carta se encuentra a continuación, y una copia de la carta con los firmantes está disponible aquí.

Nosotros, los funcionarios estatales y locales abajo firmantes, escribimos para expresar nuestra oposición al proyecto de ley de reconciliación (H.R. 1) y les pedimos que protejan los servicios públicos de los que dependen nuestras comunidades. Al recortar Medicaid, SNAP y otros servicios públicos esenciales, este proyecto de ley amenaza con desestabilizar los presupuestos estatales y locales, e imponer profundos recortes generalizados que disminuirán los servicios públicos y perjudicarán a las familias trabajadoras de todo el país, todo con el objetivo de otorgar exenciones fiscales a los multimillonarios.

Medicaid representa la mayor parte de la financiación federal a los presupuestos estatales y es el mayor financiador de servicios de atención a largo plazo en EE. UU. Sin esta financiación crucial, y debido a otras disposiciones del proyecto de ley, la Oficina de Presupuesto del Congreso (CBO) estima que aproximadamente 15 millones de personas perderán su cobertura médica y se quedarán sin seguro para 2034. Los recortes descritos en la H.R. 1 también implicarán la desaparición de residencias de ancianos, hospitales, atención domiciliaria y otros servicios de atención médica esenciales, lo que provocará la pérdida de empleos en el sector. A medida que las personas pierdan la cobertura de Medicaid, los hospitales y proveedores se enfrentarán a unos 48 000 millones de dólares en costos de atención no compensados. En total, esto supondrá una enorme presión para los estados, ciudades, pueblos y otros gobiernos locales, y costará vidas.

Además, los requisitos laborales propuestos en el proyecto de ley para los beneficiarios de Medicaid impondrán enormes costos a los estados, incluyendo la adición de sistemas de cumplimiento normativo y la necesidad de mayor personal en agencias que ya cuentan con escasez de personal. La experiencia en Arkansas y Georgia demuestra que los requisitos laborales no se traducen en más personas trabajando. De hecho, conllevan enormes pérdidas de cobertura para los trabajadores debido a la burocracia. La realidad es que estas disposiciones resultarán en recortes y perjudicarán innecesariamente a las poblaciones más vulnerables de nuestro país, que necesitan Medicaid para vivir.

El proyecto de ley también transfiere $300 mil millones en costos a los gobiernos estatales y locales, tanto por los beneficios como por los costos administrativos del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP). Esta disposición amenaza la seguridad alimentaria de más de 40 millones de estadounidenses, incluyendo uno de cada cinco niños. Los gobiernos estatales no podrán cubrir todos estos nuevos gastos sin recortar otros servicios críticos como las escuelas o las carreteras.

El proyecto de ley también desencadena automáticamente recortes históricos a Medicare, lo que significará un desastre para las personas mayores. A medida que se les arrebatan servicios de salud esenciales, sus familias tendrán dificultades para cuidarlos. Esto supondrá enormes costos para nuestra fuerza laboral, nuestras economías y nuestras comunidades.

En conjunto, los recortes incluidos en la Ley H.R. 1 impondrán una carga insoportable a los estados. Obligados a compensar los enormes déficits de financiación federal, todos los sectores de nuestras economías estatales y locales sufrirán, desde la atención médica hasta la educación superior, la seguridad pública y las escuelas públicas. Los servicios de los que dependen nuestras comunidades se verán recortados drásticamente; y quienes los prestan podrían ser suspendidos o despedidos.

Como líderes gubernamentales, comprendemos la importancia de erradicar el fraude, el despilfarro y el abuso para mantener la solidez de los servicios públicos, pero este plan no lo consigue. En cambio, desgarraría la red de seguridad social de nuestra nación para otorgar a los más ricos exenciones fiscales que no necesitan. Mientras tanto, los veteranos, las personas mayores, los niños, las personas con discapacidad y todos los trabajadores sufrirán.

Los líderes electos estatales y locales de Estados Unidos les instan a votar en contra de este plan perjudicial e imprudente. La salud, la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestras comunidades son demasiado importantes.

Hirschauer Joins Community Leaders to Support Memorial Highway Honoring SFC Theodore Katsoolias

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WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, joined veterans organizations, community members, and fellow legislators on Saturday to support dedicating a section of Illinois State Route 59 honoring Sergeant First Class (SFC) Theordore Katsoolias, a beloved West Chicago serviceman who made the ultimate sacrifice while deployed.

Highlighted through an ongoing House Joint Resolution, the stretch of Route 59 from State Route 64 to State Route 38 would officially bear the name “SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway” if passed. The joint resolution currently awaits House consideration.

“I want to thank my colleague Rep. Kifowit for bringing this dedication before the House and to the organizations and countless others who have fought for this memorial for SFC Katsoolias,” said Hirschauer. “We often see roads dedicated in honor of the service members who have represented not only our country but our great state. I hope that once this dedication is enacted it serves as a reminder that the countless servicemen and women who choose every day to be a part of our military have a profound impact not only on our families, but on our communities and nation as a whole.”

SFC Katsoolias was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army’s Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. During his service in the Korean War, SFC Katsoolias was deemed missing in action (MIA) before being presumed dead. His remains have not been recovered. 

“Sergeant First Class Theodore Katsoolias is an American hero who should be remembered for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom,” said state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego. “He was never able to return home, but we can permanently honor his memory and the countless sacrifices made by our service members in Korea with this recognition. I appreciate the support of Rep. Hirschauer on this important measure.”

“The prospective SFC Theodore Katsoolias Memorial Highway runs right in front of my and state Sen. Villa’s office, and I’m honored I’ll be able to look out my window and remind myself how SFC Katsoolias and so many others like him gave their all for our country. My hope is that this dedication will serve as a reminder that SFC Katsoolias’s willingness to protect his family, community, and country is an example to each of us to do the same in our own ways,” said Hirschauer. 

Working with local members in her Veterans Advisory Committee, Hirschauer recently passed bipartisan legislation designating the third Friday of September of each year as POW/MIA Recognition Day in honor of prisoners of war (POW) and those missing in action (MIA). House Bill 1312 will ultimately dedicate time for all Illinoisans to reflect on U.S. soldiers’ service, and currently awaits Senate consideration.

Hirschauer se une a líderes comunitarios para apoyar autopista conmemorativa en honor al sargento de primera clase Theodore Katsoolias

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – La representante estatal Maura Hirschauer, demócrata de Batavia, se unió el sábado a organizaciones de veteranos, miembros de la comunidad y otros legisladores para apoyar la dedicación de una sección de la Ruta Estatal 59 de Illinois en honor al Sargento de Primera Clase (SFC) Theodore Katsoolias, un querido militar de West Chicago que hizo el máximo sacrificio mientras estaba desplegado.

Destacada a través de una resolución conjunta de la Cámara en curso, el tramo de la Ruta 59 desde la Ruta Estatal 64 hasta la Ruta Estatal 38 llevaría oficialmente el nombre de “Autopista Conmemorativa SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias” si se aprueba. La resolución conjunta actualmente espera la consideración de la Cámara.

“Quiero agradecer a mi colega, la representante Kifowit, por presentar esta dedicación ante la Cámara y a las organizaciones y a los innumerables que han luchado por este homenaje al SFC Katsoolias”, dijo Hirschauer. “A menudo vemos carreteras dedicadas en honor a los miembros del servicio que han representado no solo a nuestro país, sino también a nuestro gran estado. Espero que, una vez que se concrete esta dedicación, sirva como recordatorio de que los innumerables hombres y mujeres del servicio que eligen cada día formar parte de nuestras fuerzas armadas tienen un profundo impacto no solo en nuestras familias, sino también en nuestras comunidades y en la nación en su conjunto.”

El SFC Katsoolias fue un veterano condecorado de la Compañía B del 1er Batallón del 38.º Regimiento de Infantería, 2.ª División de Infantería del Ejército de los EE. UU. Durante su servicio en la Guerra de Corea, el SFC Katsoolias fue reportado como desaparecido en combate (MIA) antes de ser dado por muerto. Sus restos no han sido recuperados.

“El Sargento de Primera Clase Theodore Katsoolias es un héroe estadounidense que debe ser recordado por su valentía y por el sacrificio supremo que hizo en nombre de la libertad”, dijo la representante estatal Stephanie Kifowit, demócrata de Oswego. “Nunca pudo regresar a casa, pero podemos honrar permanentemente su memoria y los innumerables sacrificios realizados por nuestros militares en Corea con este reconocimiento. Agradezco el apoyo de la representante Hirschauer en esta importante medida.”

“La futura Autopista Conmemorativa SFC Theodore Katsoolias pasa justo frente a mi oficina y la de la senadora estatal Villa, y me honra poder mirar por la ventana y recordarme a mí misma cómo el SFC Katsoolias y tantos otros como él lo dieron todo por nuestro país. Mi esperanza es que esta dedicación sirva como recordatorio de que la disposición del SFC Katsoolias para proteger a su familia, su comunidad y su país sea un ejemplo para que cada uno de nosotros haga lo mismo a su manera”, dijo Hirschauer.

Trabajando con miembros locales de su Comité Asesor de Veteranos, Hirschauer aprobó recientemente una legislación bipartidista que designa el tercer viernes de septiembre de cada año como el Día de Reconocimiento a los Prisioneros de Guerra (POW) y Desaparecidos en Combate (MIA), en honor a los prisioneros de guerra y a los desaparecidos en combate. El Proyecto de Ley 1312 de la Cámara dedicará finalmente un tiempo para que todos los habitantes de Illinois reflexionen sobre el servicio de los soldados estadounidenses, y actualmente espera la consideración del Senado.

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-BATAVIA)
49TH DISTRICT

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Rep.Hirschauer Challenges Trump’s Extreme Attacks on Illinois Families, Communities, and the Rule of Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D- Batavia, condemned the destructive and unlawful orders President Donald Trump has issued during his first weeks in office, passing a series of formal resolutions aimed at calling out Trump’s extremism and moving Illinois in a fundamentally better direction.

“These actions taken by Trump and his administration directly affect the health, safety, and well-being of all Illinoisans,” Hirschauer said. “I am proud to represent the community of West Chicago, which like many cities in our state is a diverse and beautiful place, home to many first and second generation Americans. It is a community that is thriving because of the hard work of immigrants. But today, people in West Chicago, and communities across our state, don’t feel safe because of the Trump administration’s threats and hateful words. It is hard to leave your house for work everyday when there is an unmarked ICE vehicle roaming your neighborhood. It is nearly impossible to drop your children off at school with the threat of deportation looming over your head. I’m speaking up so people know that there are leaders in Illinois who will always stand up for them—even if that means standing up to the president himself.”

The Hirschauer-backed resolutions call out Trump, his extreme allies in Washington and the special interests supporting him. These measures also highlight efforts Illinois has taken to move in a better direction by prioritizing efforts to help families make ends meet, reduce the cost of living, and protecting access to lifesaving services.

Hirschauer voted to:

“I believe that even with Trump’s reckless actions, there’s still hope. I will always fight to keep our communities safe. I will always fight to help families make ends meet. And I will always fight to keep our communities home for everyone who wants to live peacefully.”

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Empowering Transgender and Gender Diverse Communities: A Funding Opportunity in Illinois

This initiative by the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) seeks to advance health justice and strengthen public health in the state.

Purpose: The NOFO seeks proposals from eligible organizations to participate in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Wellness and Equity Program.

Goals: The program aims to increase the capacity of organizations to provide culturally and/or medically competent gender-affirming care for TGD/LGBTQ+ populations across Illinois. It also involves recruiting, training, and managing regional Healthcare Navigation Specialists.

Funding Categories: Capacity Building (Continuous Funding or One-Time Funding) and Healthcare Navigation Specialists.

Funding Amount: Approximately $1.5 million across IDHS-identified regions in Illinois.

Important Dates:

Bidders’ Conference: Friday, February 9, 2024

 

Deadline for submitting questions: Friday, February 23, 2024
Deadline to apply: Friday, March 1, 2024

LEARN MORE AT PHIMC

 

How to Support West Chicago Apartment Fire Victims

Yesterday, nearly 100 of our neighbors in West Chicago became homeless due to a large fire consuming their homes. The support in the community is immense, with over 40 representatives of organizations present on calls to organize the followup to the first responses from West Chicago Fire Protection District,   West Chicago Police Department, and the Red Cross of Illinois.

Thank you to WeGo Together for Kids for coordinating donations and to New Hope Methodist Church for jumping in immediately and receiving donations for these displaced families and to all the community organizations that are supporting and will continue to support these neighbors in the coming weeks.

Donations Needed:

Monetary donations are needed and welcomed. Anything donated at this link between now and Dec 31 will go toward the fire victims (no need to choose a fund).

Clothing donations CLOSED at this time- please consider a monetary donation or check back if additional items are needed.

The following items are needed for victims of the Main Park Apartments fire. ONLY these items. Please do NOT donate summer clothing, shoes, etc. Families are homeless and have very limited space to store items.
Donations can be dropped off at New Hope Methodist Church, 643 E Washington, West Chicago, 9am-4pm.

NEW

Men’s underwear (boxer briefs): size S-2XL
Women’s underwear size S-XL
Children’s underwear all sizes
Socks for all genders

GENTLY USED

Sweatpants: Men’s size S-2XL, Women’s size S-XL, Kids all sizes
Sweatshirts and warm tops: Men’s size S-2XL, Women’s size S-XL, Kids all sizes
Men’s shoes: Sizes 7, 7.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 13
Women’s shoes: Sizes 6-9 fulfilled
Kids’ shoes: all sizes
Bras: preferably sports bra type in all sizes

Follow WeGo Together for Kids for the most up-to-date info on donations needed.

Illinois Redistricting Hearings- Make Your Voice Heard

I’m working to make local voices heard in the redistricting process.

IL Redistricting process: Upcoming hearings in our area

The House Redistricting Committee wants to hear from youThe House Redistricting Committee will hold three hearings in our area to hear from people in our community about demographic changes in our area and communities with similar needs. 

April 5 – Elgin (virtual) – 5:30pm

April 8 – West DuPage (virtual) – 3:00pm

April 9 – Aurora (In-person) – 4:00pm

Aurora City Hall, 44 East Downer Place
info & create witness slip on ilga.gov

There are 2 steps if you wish to submit written testimony or to speak before the committee (oral testimony): 

  1. Create a witness slip by clicking the info link above for the appropriate hearing, then clicking ‘Create Witness Slips’- fill out the form (use ‘Self’ in the fields for firm/organization unless you are representing a specific organization), and choose ‘oral’ or ‘written’ depending on the testimony you would like to share.
  2. Email RedistrictingCommittee@hds.ilga.gov – include date & region of hearing – and either your written testimony attached as a pdf file (YourName.pdf), or a brief description of the oral testimony you wish to share and your contact information.

Other Ways to Participate

Draw your District Maps

Visit The Illinois House Dems Redistricting Site for information on all the hearings around the state, to draw your own redistricting map, for information on the maps from the 2011 redistricting, and, most importantly, for information on citizen participation in this process.