🍏🥕 Food Assistance for 175,000 Illinoisans who lost SNAP Benefits

Written By Will Guzzardi

Dear Neighbor,

I’m using this week’s newsletter to let you know about another form of assistance that we included in this year’s state budget. 

In response to the federal government’s inhumane cuts to SNAP, we passed the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program to provide two months of food assistance to families kicked off their benefits.

Through FRESH, recipients will receive a one-time $400 benefit from the state, per eligible household member. Here’s some helpful information about the program:  

  • There is no paperwork or application required to receive the FRESH benefit payment.

  • Eligible households have one or more members who lost benefits and did not regain eligibility, due to neither meeting nor being exempt from new, broadened work requirements.

  • A notice will be mailed to eligible households who will receive these benefits.

    • If a customer receives a notice of eligibility but no longer has their Link card, they can request a new one by visiting www.EBTedge.com or calling 1-800-678-LINK (5465).

  • Individuals are eligible to receive a FRESH benefit one time.

  • For eligible households who lost benefits after May 1, 2026, but before August 1, benefits will begin being deposited as a cash payment on Illinois Link cards by August 1, 2026.  

  • Starting in August 2026 through June 2027 or until funding has been exhausted, households with eligible members will be issued FRESH benefits after the 16th of the month in which they lost access to SNAP.

  • Receiving a FRESH program payment will not impact eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), AABD Cash, Medicaid, or other similar benefit programs.

For concerns regarding state agencies or to connect to other resources and services, please reach out to my office by calling (773) 853-2570 or sending an email to will@repguzzardi.com. 

All my best,

Will

Working Family Office Hours

On the last Tuesdays of the month, on August 25, and September 29, stop by my office, 3001 N Central Park Ave, from 12 to 7pm for Working Family Office Hours! These extended hours are meant for individuals and families who need assistance navigating state agencies and resources but aren't able to stop by during the regular workday.

Back to School Fair

Join us for our Back to School Fair with Sen. Graciela Guzman and Northwest Center on Saturday, August 15 from 10am to 1pm at Kelvyn Park, 4438 W Wrightwood Ave. for:

  • 🎒 free backpacks, while supplies lasts!

  • ✏️ free school supplies, while supplies lasts!

  • 🍏 grocery giveaway, while supplies lasts!

  • 🚐  BlueCross BlueShield/CDPH Van with vaccines (register for a vaccine appointment here: tinyurl.com/55h6ts9s)

  • 🪥 Humboldt Park Health Dental Van

  • 💇‍♂️ free haircuts for kids

  • 🏥 healthcare services

  • 💚 community resources

  • ☀️ family activities

Back to School Supply Drive

From July 13 through August 7, our offices are collecting NEW school supplies to fill backpacks to distribute to students at our Back to School Fair. We’re looking for NEW donations of:

  • Backpacks

  • Pencil cases

  • Pencils

  • Pens

  • Highlighters

  • Paper

  • Plain color folders

  • Binders

  • Notebooks

  • Small tissue packs

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Calculators

  • Erasers

  • Pencil sharpeners

  • Crayons

  • Markers

Sen. Guzman’s office at 3140 W. Montrose and my office at 3001 N. Central Park will be donation drop-off locations. For the full list of drop-off locations, scan the QR code on the flyer!

Legislative Town Hall

Join Northwest side progressive state legislators Rep. Lilian Jimenez, Sen. Graciela Guzman, Sen. Omar Aquino, and me on Tuesday, August 18 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Grace and Peace Church, 1856 N Leclaire Ave. for a legislative town hall! You’ll hear about our progressive wins this last legislative session and discuss what we’re still fighting for! Food and refreshments will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Be sure to RSVP here: bit.ly/2026LTH. 

Back to School State Sales Tax Holiday

From Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 16, there will be a Back to School State Sales Tax Holiday that will allow for families to pay lower sales taxes on the purchases they need to prepare their kids for the upcoming school year.

Throughout Illinois, the state sales tax will be reduced on school and office supplies like paper, pens, pencils, calculators, backpacks, and lunchboxes, as well as on certain pieces of clothing like school uniforms and seasonal apparel like coats, rain jackets, swimwear, hats, and gloves. Learn more about the sales tax holiday and on qualifying items here. 

Chicago Park District's Citywide Participatory Budgeting

Your voice. Your vote. Your parks. The Chicago Park District's Citywide Participatory Budgeting (PB) initiative gives community members the opportunity to help decide how funding will be invested in parks across the city. Community members can rank the project categories they believe should be prioritized, with the top-voted category receiving funding for improvements throughout Chicago's Central, North, and South Regions. Voting is open to all community members ages 13 and up from July 27 through August 27. Every vote helps ensure future park investments reflect the needs and priorities of Chicagoans. Voting is available online or by paper ballot at all park fieldhouses. Learn more and cast your vote: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/pb.

Will Guzzardi
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Have you heard about the Back to School State Sales Tax Holiday?