FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3rd, 2025

STATEMENT FROM CHANNYN LYNN PARKER, INTERIM CEO OF EQUALITY ILLINOIS, ON THE BIG UGLY BILL

This afternoon, Congress chose tax breaks for billionaires and performative politics over people, prioritizing cruel spending cuts and a hollow Independence Day deadline over life-saving access to Medicaid and nutrition programs.

We know the devastating impact this will have on historically marginalized people across Illinois, especially on low-income LGBTQ+, Black, Brown, disabled, and immigrant communities. Many in our community rely on programs like Medicaid and SNAP not out of weakness, but because our systems have consistently failed to provide equitable opportunity and care. Stripping these supports away doesn’t just harm individuals, it undermines the shared foundation of dignity, health and safety we all deserve.

Let’s be clear: while lawmakers removed language banning gender-affirming care from Medicaid and CHIP, that change does not make this bill a win. It does not undo the harm of legislation that could result in 11.8 million people losing health coverage and 3 million people being cut off from food assistance in the next decade. That includes LGBTQ+ people who rely on these resources to access affirming care, feed their families, and simply survive.

This bill may no longer explicitly target transgender people but it still threatens our community. When families can’t put food on the table, when low-income people can’t afford to see a doctor, when trans and queer people can’t access the care that affirms their humanity, we are all less free.

Equality Illinois believes in a future where every Illinoisan, no matter their gender, sexual orientation, race, income, or zip code, has the support they need to thrive. We reject the false choice between fiscal policy and human dignity. This legislation betrays our shared values.

As always, we will continue to fight for a state and country that invests in care, not cruelty. And we remain committed to working alongside community partners, statewide elected leaders, and state legislators across Illinois to ensure that no one is left behind.

Because our liberation is linked and our power is collective.

#  #  #