Press Releases

ROCK ISLAND – With one in five of his constituents in Western Illinois receiving SNAP benefits, State Senator Mike Halpin is warning people of the dire and immediate impact of the potential halt of SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1

“A significant portion of residents in Western Illinois could lose key food assistance support due to the federal government shutdown,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The federal administration could be funding SNAP benefits for November onward, but are actively choosing not to. The money is there. I condemn this inaction and call on those able in the Western Illinois community to donate to their local food bank and check on their neighbors.”

SNAP provides critical support for children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, offering the nutrition they need to live healthy, productive lives. The federal government shutdown threatens to halt these benefits immediately, putting millions at risk of food insecurity – including 42,168 people in the 36^th Senate District. Food banks like River Bend food bank are expecting a large impact.

ROCK ISLAND – In order to bring good jobs to Western Illinois, State Senator Mike Halpin secured $34 million in pro-growth infrastructure upgrades.

“To rebuild Western Illinois’ economy we need to repair and upgrade our roads and bridges,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This funding will bring good jobs, improve safety on the road and set us up well for more business coming to the area.”

The largest multi-year program to build and repair infrastructure in state history will invest $50.6 billion over six years, continuing an unprecedented investment in safety, mobility and quality of life made possible by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. IDOT’s new multi-year program is both comprehensive and multimodal, with investments in roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations touching every Illinois county.

Western Illinois will see multiple local infrastructure projects in 2026 totaling $34 million.

“I am pleased to see Western Illinois get the funding it needs for projects that will uplift everyone in our community,” said Halpin.

A full list of projects in the 36th District can be found in the 36th District project document .

CHICAGO – With too many veterans falling through the cracks, State Senator Mike Halpin helped secure a grant to support the Road Home Project at Rush Hospital. Halpin toured and spoke at the Rush facility last week with several other senators, engaging with experts in the field of veterans mental health care.

“Thank you to the therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists that are helping veterans and their families every single day,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “That’s the kind of contact that we need to keep bringing to our communities.”

The grant brings needed support to the Road Home Project, an innovative, high success-rate mental health support program for veterans, active duty service members and their families. Their facility specializes in treating PTSD and invisible wounds of war so that patients can lead fulfilling lives. The project offers personalized treatment programs, outpatient services and family care support. In addition to the State of Illinois, the Wounded Warrior Project is a key partner to the Road Home Project

“I know that we can never repay the debt that our veterans have given us,” said Halpin. “But we are working day in and day out to do give them the resources they need.”

You can watch Senator Halpin’s speech video .

SPRINGFIELD – Survivors of stalking face many forms of emotional distress and harassment. In order to protect innocent people from harassment, State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to define emotionally distressing harassment as stalking was signed into law Friday.

“Stalkers often use purposefully emotionally distressing behavior to throw survivors off balance and bring pain into their lives,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “By harassing a survivor at their workplace, home, school or in their vehicle, a perpetrator is utilizing fear and embarrassment to intimidate and coerce a survivor.”

The law will bolster the legal definition of stalking to include harassment that causes emotional distress while more clearly defining emotionally distressing harassment. These types of conduct include creating a disturbance at the petitioner's place of employment or school, repeatedly telephoning the petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence, continuing to follow the petitioner about in a public place or places, among other items.

According to a study by the NCVRW, stalking is often under-identified by the justice system and under-reported by survivors. Stalking is also a concerning issue on college campuses, with 18-24 year olds experiencing the highest stalking rates, women and minority college students being at a higher risk and 41% of undergraduate students having experienced tech-facilitated stalking according to the University of Illinois.

“Illinoisans have a right to feel safe and secure as they go throughout their day. We cannot tolerate any kind of harassing behavior in our state,” said Halpin. “Stalkers will go to great lengths to get what they want and our government is going to great lengths to stop them.”

House Bill 2873 is effective immediately.