Catching Up with Quigley: Week of October 27
Dear Friend,
This Halloween and Día de los Muertos is unlike any we've seen in Chicago before. I encourage you to enjoy all that our city has to offer this weekend. The only way through this is together.
1. Demanded an Investigation into ICE Misconduct
This week, I led the entire House of Representatives Illinois Democratic delegation in demanding that the Department of Homeland Security launch an investigation into the misconduct of ICE and CBP around Chicagoland. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve seen ICE detain U.S. citizens, make warrantless arrests, and recklessly deploy tear gas around children. None of this is acceptable. My colleagues and I are documenting every illegal incident we know of here in Chicago, and we are putting it in writing that we want them investigated. When Democrats retake the House, we’re going to launch every Congressional investigation we have at our disposal.
If this administration is going to use the levers of government to attack the innocent, then I’m going to make sure we use every lever of power we get to go after the guilty.
Watch my press conference HERE.
2. Condemned Trump's Decision to End SNAP
The Trump administration has decided to let SNAP funds run out this week rather than use emergency funds that exist just for moments like this. They are choosing to cut benefits for 42 million Americans, after they already cut SNAP by $186 billion earlier this year. They're cutting food assistance for 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 1.2 million veterans.
It is simply not possible for food banks and other local resources to completely fill this gap, but many of them are doing their best. This week, I shared information for some of the organizations in Illinois trying to support our communities.
Click HERE to check out my guide to Chicago-area food banks.
3. Asked Utility Companies to Support Federal Workers
Today marked the first missed paycheck for millions of federal government workers and contractors. These are hardworking men and women who do jobs that keep our air and water clean, our skies safe, and so much more. With control of the White House, Senate, and the House of Representatives, Republicans could end this shutdown today. Instead, they've chosen the cruelest path forward. One that lets children go hungry, puts health insurance out of reach for millions, and prioritizes political theater over all else.
In this environment, I worked with my colleagues to ask utility companies like ComEd to suspend penalties and shutoffs for workers until the shutdown is over.
Please don't hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or to share your opinions and concerns during this period. You can call my DC office at (202) 225-4061 or my Chicago office at (773) 267-5926. You can also email me through my website at Quigley.house.gov/contact. You can also sign up for in-the-moment updates on my work by following me on social media @RepMikeQuigley or texting "QUIGLEY" to (773) 200-2854.
Sincerely,
Mike Quigley