IL-9 Congressional Candidate Sam Polan:

“SNAP Benefits Are a Lifeline, Not a Bargaining Chip”

Evanston, IL — “As Illinois families struggle to make ends meet, one thing is clear: SNAP benefits are not a bargaining chip. They are a lifeline.

Right now, nearly 1.94 million Illinois residents, or about 15 percent of our state’s population, rely on SNAP food assistance each month. In the Chicago and Cook County region, hundreds of thousands of households depend on this support to put food on the table.

Instead of working to strengthen economic opportunity and job growth, some policymakers are choosing to play petty games with people’s basic survival. Using SNAP assistance as a bargaining chip is unacceptable. It shows a complete disregard for working families, children, individuals with disabilities, and seniors who are already vulnerable.

I call on every public official, at every level of government, to put an end to the games. Stop the threats. Stop using lives as leverage. We should focus on real solutions: quality jobs, accessible training, a stronger economy, and dignity for every Illinoisan.

To those who are counting on SNAP today: we see you. We hear you. And we will not let you be used as a political pawn.”

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Sam Polan is a U.S. Army veteran, former Pentagon policy advisor, and Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. He served his country and is now running to defend our democracy, restore integrity in public service, and ensure that the values he swore to uphold are reflected

in Washington. For more information, go to www.sampolan.com