Jan's Plans & Pans - October 17, 2025

Dear John xxxxxx,

We are now 17 days into a completely avoidable government shutdown that is taking a serious toll on hardworking Americans. Federal employees are missing paychecks, families are facing uncertainty, and vital services are being disrupted across our communities.

I have been traveling across the district listening closely to your concerns and frustrations, attending rallies, and standing alongside you in protests in the streets. Your voices matter and are important, and I am inspired by the strength and resilience I see in every gathering. Together, we are making it clear that the government must work for the people, not billionaires and special interests.

From the very beginning of this shutdown, I have made clear that I will vote for a bipartisan, negotiated budget that not only protects the vital programs we depend on, like Medicaid, disaster relief, telehealth access, and food assistance, but also extends health insurance tax credits and protects Americans from price increases. I still refuse to rubber stamp a Republican proposal that continues to give tax breaks to their wealthy donors while families pay more to visit the doctor.

Let me once again remind you that my offices in Washington, D.C., and Skokie remain open and ready to assist anyone impacted by the shutdown. You can call my D.C. office at (202) 225-2111 or my Skokie office at (773) 506-7100. If you or someone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out.

I will continue to fight on behalf of you and your family, and I hope that, sooner rather than later we can rise above the partisan gridlock and get the job done the American people deserve and expect.

Sincerely,

Schakowsky Attends Immigration Protest in Rogers Park

Immigrants are and always have been what makes our country great. We are a welcoming community, and our diversity is our strength. We will not be intimidated by the White House, and we will not stand by as our community is ravaged. Not now. Not ever. No human being is illegal.

Schakowsky Attends Rally With Federal Workers

Federal workers are keeping our country running, even without pay. Their dedication deserves action, not silence. I am always proud to stand with our federal workforce. 

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids taking place in our communities and the illegal deployment of the National Guard to the Chicago area is not at all about public safety. ICE agents are kicking down doors and rounding up screaming children in the middle of the night. The Trump Administration's actions are deliberately endangering Chicagoans.

I will continue fighting in Congress to block these unconstitutional and inhumane raids and stop the deployment of federal forces on our streets.

It is crucial that you KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. Stay informed so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones. If you, or someone you know, needs assistance with a detention issue, please fill out this form or call my Skokie office for more information, (773) 506-7100.

Frequently Asked Government Shutdown Questions

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?
A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments but be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services have ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?
Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. The Medicare open enrollment period running from October 15 through December 7 will be unaffected, although communications from the agency may be stalled or outdated.

Will Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov still take place?
The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15.

Is USPS still delivering mail?
All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown.

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

Do military personnel continue working?
The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid due to a government shutdown that while one party, the Republicans, have total control of government.

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?
All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims.

Should I cancel my upcoming travel?
You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. However, both TSA and Air Traffic Control are currently working without pay so please have patience with any delays.

I'm coming to DC, will my tours still take place?
Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC's government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol and FBI Building have been canceled during the shutdown. 

What about international travel?
All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will my passport renewal still be processed?
Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.

Will immigration applications still be processed?
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown. 

Are National Parks closed?
National Parks will remain open but please exercise caution during any visits as most services will be halted. Visitor centers will be closed, entrance fees won't be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won't be staffed. In many instances, restrooms will be closed and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. There are also limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates will not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits or hikes in our National Parks.

I have an issue with a government agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?
Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you at this time. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.

I already have a case open with your office, should I do anything during the shutdown?
My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents' behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available.

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC, will I keep getting my payments?
Hungry families should receive SNAP benefits in October. If the shutdown stretches beyond a couple of weeks, however, benefits in November could be impacted and the over 40 million Americans who depend on SNAP each month will struggle to afford groceries. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has just a few days of contingency funding, meaning that the nearly 7 million moms, babies and others who rely on the program for fresh fruits and vegetables, infant formula, nutritional supplements, whole grains, and other healthy foods will be left without this critical support very early in a shutdown.

My child attends a Head Start program, will this be impacted?
The most immediate impact will be on the small number of Head Start and Early Head Start grantees whose funding cycles begin on October 1, 2025. A shutdown will prevent the distribution of their new grants, putting them at risk of closing their doors. The majority of programs will not be impacted in the short term. A prolonged shutdown might have a significant impact on Head Start as funding could be disrupted by delayed grant distributions, causing tens of thousands of children to temporarily lose access to this vital program.

I am a federal employee at risk of being furloughed, what assistance is there for me?
The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Guidance for Shutdown Furlough's is a great resource. In 2019, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act which states that furloughed employees must receive backpay, but government contractors are not necessarily protected under this law.

What happens if there is a catastrophic disaster such as a hurricane or wildfire during the shutdown?
If FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is depleted, it would complicate new emergency response efforts. Funding for long-term recovery projects will also be halted during a government shutdown.

What other government agencies are impacted by a lapse in federal funding?
A lack of federal funding would stall critical research on diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s because the National Institutes of Health would be forced to delay new clinical trials. Further, during a shutdown, most of the inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at hazardous waste sites would stop. The EPA would have to halt oversight and review of permits and plans. Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be forced to delay food safety inspections for a wide variety of products.

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