Lowering Costs for Illinoisans
Fighting Inflation
I’ve heard from so many of my neighbors who are struggling with high prices on everything from gas to groceries to prescription drugs.
The fact is right now, our economy isn’t working for you and your family. This can be scary for middle-class families already struggling to make ends meet. That is why I am focused on bringing down prices on everyday items and delivering relief to Illinoisans who are working hard just to stay above water.
I’m fighting to lower prescription drug costs by protecting and expanding Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices, and I have a bill to stop Big Pharma’s price gouging that is preventing cheaper generics from getting onto pharmacy shelves. And for our farmers and agriculture workers, I’m trying to make it easier to grow in Illinois so our fields bring cheaper food and fuel to markets even faster.
We have a lot of work to do to make our economy work for everyone in Illinois’ 17th District and not just those at the very top. As this work continues, please use this page to find resources that can help you keep costs down and put more money into your pocket. And do not hesitate to reach out to my office for help.
Groceries
I’m working on the House Agriculture Committee to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that empowers Illinois farmers and brings more affordable food to kitchen tables. While I continue to work on lowering your checkout total at the grocery store, I wanted to share some resources with you.
Food Assistance: You may qualify for help to put food on the table. This link can connect you with a directory of resources that may help you find what best fits your situation.
Emergency Food Assistance: The USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of those who need it by providing emergency food assistance at no cost.
Nutrition on a budget: Find a variety of tools and resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that may help you save on your groceries.
Shop Simple with MyPlate App: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's smart phone app may also be able to help you find healthy food savings in your area and prepare budget friendly meals.
Healthcare and Prescription Drugs
Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care, but far too manyof my neighbors can’t get the care they need due tohigh costs. That’s why I’m making it a priority to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, strengthen the Affordable Care Act, and expand access to high-quality care.
Here are some resources that may help you in the meantime as I keep pushing for progress:
Shop for Affordable Health Insurance Plans: Open enrollment for 2025 begins November 1st, but you may be able to get a new health insurance plan now if you have a qualifying life event (such as if you've lost your coverage or having a baby).Coverage can be more affordable than you think.
Find Local Help: You can search for local, in-person assistance to find affordable health insurance coverage.
Illinois Medicaid: Illinois Medicaid helps ensure people with modest incomes or other eligibility criteria can have coverage for little or no cost.
Children's Health Insurance Program: Affordable and quality health coverage for children or teens.
Get Help with Surprise Bills:You can get help with your medical billing situation or file a complaint by calling the No Suprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.
Medicare Savings Programs: You may be eligible for help covering hospital visits and medical insurance through state savings programs.
Gas and Home Utilities
I believe we need to have an all-of-the-above approach to energy to produce more fuel in the United States, bring down costs for families, and build a more sustainable future.
That’s why I introduced an amendment to a major energy package that would have prevented big corporations from shipping natural gas overseas if it meant higher prices for Illinois families. I’ll always advocate for connecting our region to reliable, affordable energy and I’ll always stand up to corporate greed.
Here are some resources available right now to Illinoisans to keep monthly energy bills and prices at the pump down:
Lower Home Energy Bills: I voted to bring funding back to Illinois under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to providefinancialassistance to families to lower their home energy costs. Don’t wait – See if you’re eligible here.
Get Help with Energy Bills: Get assistance with your utility bills. You can find out who you need to contact if your utilities are shut off and discover if you’re eligible for utility assistance.
Efficiency Upgrades: Illinois families may qualify for upfront discounts or tax breaks to help upgrade home energy systems. That includes installing energy efficient appliances and upgrading insulation, which will lead to lower monthly utility bills. This link is a one-stop-shop to learn about all the different savings available to you.
Improve Gas Mileage: There are common-sense steps drivers can take to improve their mileage.
Improve Gas Mileage in Cold Weather: When the weather get colder it can affect your gas mileage. Find common sense tips on how you can save.
Help for Seniors
As your trusted voice in Washington, I will always advocate for programs and services that make our communities safer and healthier, especially for seniors. We must do more to ensure seniors can retire with dignity and without fear of poverty. It is critical that Congress protect Medicare and Social Security to ensure these programs are around for generations to come.
Here are a few of the resources available to our seniors in Illinois:
- Learn about Medicare Drug Coverage: Click here for general resources about getting covered under a Medicare prescription drug plan.
Find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan: Seniors can use this tool to find a Medicare drug plan once covered under Medicare Part A and/or Part B.
Get More Help with Prescription Drug Costs: Seniors with limited income and resources may be able to take advantage of the Extra Help program to get more assistance paying for prescription drugs through Medicare.
Reverse Mortgage Program: Learn more about the reverse mortgage program here. Avoid scams and high-risk plans with these tips from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Investment Advisor Public Disclosure: Find the rightcertified investmentadvisor to secure your future and put money aside for the days ahead.
Food Assistance for Older Adults: Place healthy food on your kitchen table with these food programs for seniors including farmer’s market vouchers for healthy Illinois-grown crops.
License Plate Discount & Seniors Ride Free: The Illinois Department on Aging provides discounted or free public transportation services to those who qualify.Check the requirements here.
Housing
I have heard from my neighbors from across our district who say their monthly rentis one of biggest reasons it’s getting harder to stay above water. And lack of affordable housing is also limiting growth and holding families back.That is why I brought back $1 million in funding for affordable housing for our communities. I won’t stop working to makeour neighborhoods safer and stronger.
Here are some resources to connect you to housing relief:
Home Repair Assistance: Make investments in your home and in your future through loan programs offered by HUD. These programs allow you to improve both the quality of living and the value of your property.
Get Help Paying Rent and Bills: Here you can find resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for rental housing counseling and knowing your rights as a tenant.
Emergency Rental Assistance: Emergency assistance is available to struggling renters to help them keep up with rent and other expenses. See more details here.
Access Mortgage Program: The Illinois Housing Development Authority has Mortgage assistance to surpass the hurdle of a down payment and achieve homeownership.
General Housing Information: Find general information about home ownership, fair housing practices, rental assistance and more from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Tax Relief and Consumer Protection
Our tax system too often works for big corporations and wealthy CEOs rather than hard-working middle-class families.I’m working to change that to make sure we have tax relief for families in Illinois’ 17th District. In Congress, I’ve voted to lower taxes for middle class families and small businesses.
I’m also working to crack down on fraud attacks that steal billions from seniors each year, including scam robocalls and texts. Next tax season, refer to these resources to get relief and keep more money in your pocket:
IRS Free File: You may be eligible to file your taxes for free using IRS’ Free File tool. Save this page for April 15.
Find my Refund: If you’re having trouble getting a tax refund owed to you, keep track of it using the IRS’Where’s my Refund tool on their website here. Illinois has a state tracking tool you can use for free here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: This program helps families in need after experiencing a hardship.
File an Insurance Complaint:Having insurance issues? Contact the Illinois Department of Insurance to file a complaint and potentially get more answers.
Report Fraud and Scam Attacks: If you’re being targeted by scam callers and fraudsters, or have been treated unfairly by a company, don’t wait. Report your complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.