Congressman Krishnamoorthi Advances Affordability Agenda with Housing Roundtable in Quad Cities, Food Bank Visit in Rockford

MOLINE / ROCKFORD, IL - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today advanced his Illinois affordability agenda with events in the Quad Cities and Rockford, highlighting how rising housing costs and cuts to nutrition assistance are squeezing working families-and pushing for legislative solutions to help Illinoisans afford to buy a home and put food on the table.

In Moline, Congressman Krishnamoorthi convened a roundtable with local leaders, housing advocates, and community stakeholders to discuss the housing affordability crisis and his newly introduced First Home Affordability Act, legislation designed to help first-time buyers overcome steep upfront costs that are increasingly locking families out of homeownership.

"With housing prices surging and more than 75 percent of homes out of reach for a typical buyer, too many Illinois families are locked out of homeownership before they ever get a fair shot," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "My bill, the First Home Affordability Act, provides a refundable tax credit of up to $25,000 to help first-time buyers cover upfront costs like down payments and closing costs. At a moment when rising costs are pushing families out of the market, this legislation keeps homeownership within reach-and protects one of the clearest paths to stability and a middle-class life."

"Illinois families can't afford inaction on housing any longer - we need legislative solutions that deliver real relief to homebuyers being priced out of their own communities," Bonnie Johnson, Moline Township Supervisor, said. "Raja Krishnamoorthi has a plan to tackle the housing crisis. His willingness to engage directly with Quad Cities leaders and work together to address housing challenges speaks volumes about his leadership and his commitment to our communities."

Later in Rockford, Congressman Krishnamoorthi toured the Northern Illinois Food Bank's Northwest Center and Neighborhood Market to highlight the impact of recent SNAP cuts and expanded paperwork requirements, which are driving increased food insecurity and placing a growing strain on emergency food providers across Illinois. Northern Illinois Food Bank is now serving more neighbors than it did at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with one in four children in Winnebago County experiencing food insecurity. The new expanded requirements go into effect on Sunday, February 1.

"When my family went through a difficult period, we relied on food assistance for a time to help us get back on our feet-and that experience has stayed with me," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "For nearly two million Illinoisans, SNAP is how food gets on the table. When benefits are cut or buried under red tape, families pay the price and food banks are forced to fill the gap. That's why I'm fighting to reverse these cuts and strengthen SNAP so no family goes hungry because of politics or paperwork."

"SNAP plays a vital role in helping families put food on the table, and when those benefits are reduced, the charitable food system feels the impact immediately," Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank, said. "We are grateful for Congressman Krishnamoorthi's leadership and advocacy in the fight against hunger and his commitment to ensuring neighbors across Illinois have access to the food they need."

Congressman Krishnamoorthi is working to reverse harmful SNAP changes through his Bringing Back Benefits Act and to expand access to homeownership through the First Home Affordability Act, reinforcing a broader affordability agenda focused on lowering everyday costs and strengthening economic security for Illinois families.