PONTIAC — About 100 people gathered in Pontiac Wednesday evening to hear from Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-2) with many residents asking what the Democrat is doing to combat President Trump’s agenda.
Constituents went to Pontiac Township High School to ask Kelly to explain how her party is fighting the White House’s policies, from tariffs to executive orders against gender-affirming care.
Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications and Public Policy at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, joined Kelly in the PTHS auditorium for her second in-person and town hall of the year.
Betty Rients, a Pontiac native, said she came to ask questions and hear what her fellow constituents were thinking. She said she was not disappointed.
“I was impressed with the answers I got,” Rients said. “I think it was well worth my while.”
After being asked about the impact of the Trump administration dismantling the United States Agency for International Development, Kelly said the decision has resulted in farmers being hit from all directions.
“I’ve been in touch with the farmers and a lot of allies in Congress to try to see what we can do about it,” Kelly said. “And I’m not sure if there’s any legal filing yet.”
She added Trump’s planned tariffs may also force farmers to face a higher price tag on imported goods like fertilizer. Kelly said her constituents are being hurt by the president’s trade war.
“I have 4,500 farms in my district,” Kelly said in an interview after the town hall. “Farming and agriculture is very, very important to the state of Illinois and very important to my district.”
Multiple audience members brought up concerns about Trump’s use of the executive branch and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Yohnka argued Trump’s actions are being enabled by the inaction of constituents.
“I mean, we’re hearing lots of these questions about whether or not the administration, the President can literally just defy the courts,” Yohnka said. “Well, that’s not his [Trump’s] decision, really. It’s ours.”
Yohnka said the best way to protect civil rights and liberties is through civic engagement and outreach to Congress. He specifically recommended going to local board meetings and writing letters to the editors of local newspapers.
“It’s what we decide we want and what we’re willing to do,” Yohnka said.
Audience members also expressed concerns with Republican proposals to make cuts to Medicaid. A House budget plan would reduce funding for the program to finance tax cuts, with some Republicans viewing Medicaid as “wasteful” government spending.
Kelly, whose district includes urban, suburban and rural communities, said almost half almost half of her constituents rely on the program.
“300,000 people will be affected if they cut Medicaid by that much money,” Kelly said. “300,000 people [will be affected] if they cut SNAP, so that’ll be about 200,000 people affected all over the district.”
Kelly also brought up the impacts of Trump’s goal to dismantle the Department of Education. She said the DOE and government-funded healthcare are integral in supporting children with disabilities in the Illinois school system.
“I don’t know if there’s litigation helping to stop it, but, in my district alone, we would lose 6,700 teachers,” Kelly said.
Trump argues the department has failed to improve student reading and math scores. He has said he wants to eliminate the department to give states local control over school funding and policies.
Kelly said she chose Pontiac to hear from rural voices in Illinois’ 2nd congressional district, which stretches downstate from Chicago to Danville and Rantoul.
Pontiac also borders the 16th district, which is represented by Republican Rep. Darin LaHood. LaHood has yet to hold a town hall this year.
“He [LaHood] has to be responsible for his actions,” Rep. Kelly said of her colleague.
Democratic Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) also held a town hall Wednesday in Chatham and is planning for another virtual meeting on May 3 to discuss Trump’s tax plans.
Republican representatives were advised by GOP leadership to stop holding in-person town halls last month in response to vocal criticism at public forums.
Constituents protested outside of the Mahomet office of Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15) last month.
Rep. Mike Bost (ILRep-12) has yet to announce any plans for public forums.
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Rep. Robin Kelly takes questions, addresses federal policies at Pontiac town hall – IPM Newsroom
