February 25, 2024

Hi Neighbor,

The Will County Health Department’s WIC office in Joliet is a lifeline for so many families in our community. They do heroic work to make sure that our neighbors—women, children, and babies—aren’t going hungry. 

I paid them a visit this week to tour their facilities and learn more about the important services that they provide. It was an emotional visit. I heard from so many families about how important this program is for keeping food on their tables and in their cupboards. 

WIC keeps families in our community and across the country healthy. It makes sure they can access healthy food, get support with breastfeeding, health care referrals, and other critically important services. 

But this year, WIC is facing an urgent gap in funding, and Republicans in Congress are pushing to cut it from our budget. John, I want to be very clear here: that would be devastating.

If Congress fails to act and fully fund WIC, incredible programs like the one they run at the Will County Health Department in Joliet will be forced to start turning families away. Hungry women and children will be added to “waiting lists” and sent home with nothing. 

I’m not going to let it happen. When I go back to Washington this week I’ll be fighting to make sure that Republicans in Congress know that fully funding WIC is non-negotiable. 

Millions of people across the country, including thousands of families right here in our community, are counting on Congress to act. We cannot let them down. 

Thank you,