Duckworth Commemorates Juneteenth on Chicago’s South Side, Reiterates Urgent Need to Address Affordability Crisis

Duckworth Commemorates Juneteenth on Chicago's South Side, Reiterates Urgent Need to Address Affordability Crisis

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today celebrated and honored Juneteenth on Chicago's South Side. At Cook County Forest Preserve's Juneteenth Jubilee in South Holland with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Duckworth spoke about how the Trump Administration's actions-including launching an illegal war against Iran, rolling back key environmental protections, slashing Medicaid and gutting SNAP-is harming minority and low-income communities. The Senator also joined local community members at the 7^th Annual Beverly and Morgan Park Juneteenth Family Festival. Photos from today's events are available on the Senator's website.

"Juneteenth is about recognizing our nation's full history and reflecting on what liberation means for Black Americans today," Duckworth said. "This year especially, economic freedom is out of reach for too many Americans. Too many cannot afford the basics like gas, groceries and diapers for their babies while billionaires are being handed another tax break. Too many children don't have access to clean drinking water while the President is focused on building his golden ballroom. Too many farmers are at the brink of losing their livelihoods because Trump is hellbent on waging foreign wars he promised he wouldn't start. It's unacceptable.

"Unlike Donald Trump who has made it clear he doesn't think about Americans' financial situation as his own policies drive up costs, I will always keep fighting to ensure the middle class isn't left behind and pushing for that more perfect Union our founders promised."

Duckworth also visited Englewood Village Farms to hear how minority and urban farmers are struggling with rising input costs under the Trump Administration, making it harder to afford fertilizer and equipment and threatening access to fresh food for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who rely on local farmers markets. More than 360,000 Illinoisans rely on the SNAP and over 40 percent of Englewood residents face food insecurity. Photos from the Englewood Village Farm visit are available on the Senator's website.

Juneteenth celebrates the day enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation, two years after the official abolition of the institution of slavery.

As costs continue to skyrocket for Illinoisans because of Trump's recklessness and war of choice in Iran, Duckworth has spoken out against federal funding cuts and advocated for local providers-including food pantries and diaper banks-that support families. As of last month, the average Illinois household has spent $3,400 more on everyday goods and services under the Trump Administration, despite Trump's promise to lower costs. Last week, Duckworth joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) in highlighting how the $70 billion Trump gifted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could instead help lower costs and improve lives at a time when Americans cannot afford a full tank of gas or groceries.

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