CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — As Congress remains in recess, Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois’ 13th District has been crisscrossing her district, sounding the alarm on what former President Donald Trump has dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—legislation she says is anything but.

“The cuts are devastating,” Budzinski said during a recent stop in Champaign. “This bill hits working families, seniors, and rural communities the hardest.”

Health Care on the Chopping Block

Budzinski is most concerned with the sweeping reductions to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—cuts she says will ripple through vulnerable communities already struggling with access to care.

In Champaign County, which has some of the state’s most severe long-term care deficits, residents are bracing for an average $1,300 increase in health care premiums. The bill also removes clean energy tax credits and makes student loans even more inaccessible, according to Budzinski.

“I’m leading on legislation to reverse these Medicaid cuts and extend Affordable Care Act tax credits,” she said. “We’re trying to help people stay covered and stay healthy.”

Among the changes she highlighted:

• Families will now need to reapply for Medicaid twice a year, instead of once.

• Children dropped from SNAP may also be automatically removed from Head Start, a crucial early childhood education program.

She urged residents who need help navigating these changes to visit budzinski.house.gov or attend her office hours in Champaign, Decatur, Springfield, or Collinsville.

Food Access, Rural Hospitals in Crisis

The new bill also eliminates IL Eats, a program that gave rural families access to fresh fruits and vegetables. “In rural areas, where there’s no grocery store nearby, IL Eats was often the only way kids got real produce,” she said. “Now that’s gone.”

Up to 11 hospitals in Illinois—many in rural counties—are at risk of closing, Budzinski warned, due to Medicaid funding losses. Facilities like Western Community Health in Granite City, which are “only open today because of Medicaid,” she said. “People are worried about senior care, affording groceries, getting to work, finding childcare,” she said. “This bill doesn’t help with any of that. It makes it harder.”

A Broken Trade Policy and Vanishing Markets

On the economic front, Budzinski criticized Trump’s trade policies, especially the impacts on farmers. “China hasn’t bought a single soybean from Illinois this year,” she noted. “They’re buying from Brazil. It’s a total loss of market.”

She called the tariff strategy “erratic,” adding: “Will it be implemented in 30 days or won’t it? He keeps changing his mind.”

Redistricting and Democracy

When asked about redistricting, Budzinski said, “All options should be on the table. Trump and [Texas Governor Greg] Abbott started this trend. I’ll back whatever Governor Pritzker decides to do to protect our voters.”

She also criticized Republican tactics ahead of the 2026 midterms. “They’re trying every dirty trick to suppress voting—including possibly eliminating voting by mail,” she warned. Still, she said the recent Democratic pickup in Iowa’s state legislature is a sign of momentum.

“I won’t take winning back the House for granted,” she said. “But we’re fired up.”

Legislation and National Focus

Budzinski touted President Biden’s CHIPS & Science Act, calling it “a major investment in American manufacturing.” On the western edge of her district, the U.S. Steel CEO has committed $7 billion in potential investment tied to steel industry support.

She also noted Rep. Robert Garcia’s work on the House Oversight Committee, which is pushing for the release of the full Jeffrey Epstein case files—another issue that has gained national attention.

On Ukraine and Global Leadership

Budzinski said she supports continued aid to Ukraine but emphasized the importance of including Ukraine’s leadership in any negotiations. “We shouldn’t be having serious talks without President Zelensky at the table,” she said. “Putin started an unprovoked war. The U.S. has to be a beacon of hope for democracy and peace.”

The Message at Home: Stay Hopeful

As many of her constituents face rising costs and shrinking options, Budzinski urged communities to band together. “Hope is a form of resistance,” she said. “Stay hopeful. Keep moving. Help people locally. Touch the grass. Talk to your neighbor. Reinvigorate a sense of community. That’s how we get through this.”

For updates on town halls, assistance programs, and legislative efforts, Budzinski encourages residents to follow her on social media and check her website.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our newsroom reached out to Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller, from the 15th district, and they have not returned our calls.