Grundy Reporter

The federal government shut down on October 1 after Democrats rejected a bipartisan plan that would have kept it open. The shutdown has led to uncertainty across the United States, including in Illinois, as various groups prepare for possible disruptions.

Republicans have noted that a bipartisan agreement had already passed the U.S. House with support from both parties, which they say could have maintained government operations. They criticized Democrats for abandoning this approach and causing essential services to halt.

The effects of the shutdown are expected to be widespread in Illinois. Service members at Scott Air Force Base and members of the Illinois National Guard may not receive their paychecks. Seniors in cities such as Chicago and Carbondale could experience delays in getting benefits. Veterans might face longer wait times for care, while working parents risk losing access to food and childcare assistance. Small businesses also face increased uncertainty due to potential economic ripple effects.

State Senator Sue Rezin commented on the situation: "Democrats had a choice: stability and responsibility or chaos and politics. By shutting down the government, they chose politics, and it is families who could be left paying the price."

Rezin is a Republican who was elected to represent Illinois' 38th Senate District in 2010, succeeding Gary G. Dahl.