Republicans decry Democrats’ ‘fear mongering’ over ‘big bill’
[July 09, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Political rhetoric around the one big beautiful
bill President Donald Trump signed July 4 continues to ramp up in
Illinois.
During an open ended news conference Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon
Johnson said provisions in the law will impact food assistance and
health care for hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans. He even took aim at
the federal school choice scholarships tax credit the bill enacts.
Johnson said Republicans gave a $1 trillion tax cut to the “ultra rich.”
“This is an abomination. It’s sinful. It’s unholy,” Johnson said.
Last week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said “people will die” because of
the bill. Monday, Pritzker released a statement that an estimated
360,000 Illinoisans could have food benefits "threatened." Tuesday,
Pritzker’s office released another statement that the law “strips”
health care from 330,000 Illinoisans.
“In Illinois, we will never waver in our commitment to fighting for our
people and doing everything in our power to mitigate the impact of this
devastating bill,” Pritzker said in a statement Tuesday.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said the narrative that House
Republicans are cutting food subsidies for those who need them is
“absolutely false.”
“For critical programs like [the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program] to continue for generations to come, we must prioritize
addressing the spending crisis in our country and eliminate waste,
fraud, and abuse in federal spending,” LaHood told The Center Square in
an email. “While far-left Democrats ramp up fearmongering tactics, House
Republicans are focused on preserving this program for those who need it
most, increasing transparency, supporting rural and underserved
communities, and prioritizing care for our nation's most vulnerable
populations."
Christian Maxwell, who’s vying for the Republican nomination for
Illinois’ 1st Congressional District, agreed that Democrats are
fearmongering.
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President Donald Trump signed the "Big, Beautiful Bill" on July 4
flanked by House and Senate leaders. - The White House
“Instead of trying to just fear his constituents into doing what he
wants them to do, he needs to actually inform them and let them make
an informed decision,” Maxwell said.
Johnson warned about cuts to social services and predicted cuts for
community violence intervention, or CVI.
“There is an impact when CVI is cut. Right? Because it then places
more of a burden, if you will, or responsibility on law enforcement
to provide support,” Johnson said.
The Community Justice Action Fund said the bill “threatens” CVI
programs across the country “by slashing optional Medicaid funding
that states use to support hospital-based violence interruption,
trauma recovery, and wraparound services.”
“These are proven public health strategies that save lives,” the
group said in a social media post as the bill was advancing.
Maxwell said instead of focusing on violence interrupters, the city
needs to focus on police recruitment.
“I am not opposed to the fact that some federal funds have been
withheld from mayors like Mayor Johnson, because you can't continue
to have money funneled into programs that do not work,” Maxwell
said.
Illinois’ budget includes $166 million in state tax funds for CVI
and similar programs.
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