GRAYSLAKE – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative, reaching more than 40 million Americans every month. Yet ongoing threats to its funding put millions including families, seniors, veterans and children at risk of food insecurity and poor health outcomes.

State Senator Mary Edly-Allen is urging the federal administration to resolve the ongoing government shutdown to prevent the halting of SNAP benefits, on Nov. 1. Nearly two million Illinois residents depend on SNAP to provide basic nutrition for themselves and their families.

“Without SNAP, parents have to choose between buying necessities for their children. The elderly may skip meals, causing their health to worsen - not due to age, but malnutrition. Children go to school hungry, struggling to focus in class because their stomachs ache. Parents skip meals so that their kids can eat,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake). “I want to stress that a long-term solution requires immediate federal intervention and the absence of SNAP benefits does not just mean empty cupboards – it means more hospital visits, worse outcomes in school and a cycle of poverty that becomes harder to break.”

GRAYSLAKE – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of $6.27 million in road and bridge improvement projects coming to the area.

“Revitalizing aging infrastructure is more than just repairing roads and bridges — it is investing in the foundation of our communities and ensuring that future generations thrive on a framework built to last,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake).

GRAYSLAKE – Following the announcement that $18.4 million in grants are being awarded to build 25 charging stations for electric vehicles along interstate corridors, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen highlighted the importance of Gurnee being selected as one of the locations, bolstering clean energy jobs and expanding transportation options in Lake County.

“Investing in expanding Illinois’ clean energy economy encourages more Illinoisans to purchase EVs, reducing emissions and protecting our environment,” said Edly-Allen (D- Grayslake). “As the climate crisis continues to directly affect our daily life, we must create realistic and reliable solutions.”

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen is encouraging individuals to apply for the fifth round of funding for the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades.

This round of $25 million in funding will increase the representation of underrepresented groups in the construction trades – including people of color, veterans and women – and will fund up to 45 programs throughout the state including new grantees, serving nearly 2,000 residents.