For Immediate Release: February 20, 2026
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation’s Response to Governor Pritzker’s Illinois State of the State & Budget Address
Chicago, Il – This week, Governor Pritzker’s provided the Illinois State of State where he detailed his plans for the 2027 fiscal year budget. Below is a response from Roberto Valdez Jr., Midwest Regional Director for Hispanic Federation.
Hispanic Federation supports Governor Pritzker’s commitment to fiscal stability, affordability, and economic growth as federal cuts threaten health care, nutrition assistance, and other essential programs that working families and vulnerable communities depend on. For Latino families—many of whom are essential workers, small business owners, and parents—targeted state investments mean the difference between stability and crisis.
We urge the Illinois General Assembly to support policies such as the Newborn Equity Support Transfers (NEST) Initiative, the FRESH program, and a fully inclusive Illinois Child Tax Credit, while maintaining critical programs like Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Access to Justice funding. Illinois must also invest in long-term solutions: fair wages for human services workers, environmental protections, and a Nonprofit Stabilization Fund to strengthen community-based organizations. Latino communities are central to Illinois’ economic future, and a budget that protects families and invests in equity will strengthen the entire state. Hispanic Federation stands ready to partner with state leaders to ensure that all families can live with dignity, security, and opportunity.
Hispanic Federation sees the following policy priorities as essential for providing relief to Illinois families who face rising costs and reduced federal support.
- Pass the Newborn Equity Support Transfers (NEST) initiative to provide expectant mothers with prenatal and postpartum direct financial transfers to ensure stability during pregnancy and early childhood.
- Create the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program which will provide one-time emergency assistance equal to three months of lost SNAP benefits to help Illinois households weather sudden loss of eligibility.
- Strengthen the Illinois Child Tax Credit by making it fully inclusive, which will ensure families working part-time or below maximum earnings thresholds still receive the full Illinois Child Tax Credit.
- Maintain the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) Program to continue supporting health care for Illinois’ olde adults and immigrant community.
- Strengthening Access to Justice funding is also vital to support legal service organizations responding to increased immigration enforcement activity.
- Championing the creation of a Nonprofit Stabilization Fund to provide capacity-building support to nonprofit organizations of color, strengthening the stability of the nonprofit sector and the communities that rely on it.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
