SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Advocates across the state were in Springfield Tuesday, calling on state lawmakers to save SNAP benefits for nearly 2 million Illinoisans.

Their push comes as federal cuts included in the Big Beautiful Bill could strip benefits from up to 250,000 Illinois families as soon as May 1.

One plan could create an emergency assistance fund for one-time payments of $600, or three months of the average SNAP benefit, for Illinoisans at risk of losing benefits due to the new work requirements.

A separate bill would expand food assistance for 16,000 lawfully present immigrants who are set to lose SNAP benefits under federal eligibility changes.

"Hunger does not care where you were born," said Sen. Graciela Guzmán (D-Chicago). "Hunger does not ask for your papers. Solidarity will not be divided by the same people who attack immigrants, gut your healthcare, underfund your schools and strip housing."

Another plan could create a SNAP response working group to ensure Illinois understands the full scope of the harm created by the Big Beautiful Bill. Sponsors said Illinois could lose the SNAP program entirely in 2027 if the state cannot pay up to $800 million for benefit costs shifting from the federal government to the state.

"SNAP is the most effective program to fight hunger," said Kate Maehr from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "Our network is already stretched to its limits. The charitable food system cannot replace the scale and effectiveness of SNAP benefits. Without strong advocacy and state-level protections in place, these federal cuts will leave hundreds of thousands without reliable access to food this year alone." 

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