On October 1, Democrats shut down the federal government after rejecting a bipartisan plan that would have kept it open. The decision has triggered uncertainty across the country and in Illinois as families, service members, seniors, and small businesses brace for the fallout.

Republicans point out that a bipartisan solution had already passed the U.S. House with support from both parties, offering a straightforward path to keep government operating. Instead, Democrats walked away, shutting down essential services and creating chaos for millions of Americans.

The impact of the shutdown could be felt in every corner of the country, including Illinois. Service members at Scott Air Force Base and members of the Illinois National Guard could miss their paychecks. Seniors in communities from Chicago to Carbondale could face delays in receiving the benefits they depend on. Veterans across the state could wait longer for care, while working parents could lose access to food and childcare assistance. Small businesses could be left with greater uncertainty as ripple effects spread through Illinois’ economy.

Senate Republicans say 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.