Illinois Governor JB Pritzker quietly visited McHenry County and toured the Crystal Lake Food Pantry to learn about food insecurity and hear from community leaders and residents.
The Community Foundation for McHenry County and the Crystal Lake Food Pantry said they were honored to co-host a visit from Pritzker on December 2.
The governor visited McHenry County to learn more about local food insecurity and hear from community leaders and residents about the challenges affecting families across the region.
The visit came following a listening session in November that was hosted by The Community Foundation and featured Deputy Governor Grace Hou.
During that event, non-profit leaders, service providers and residents engaged in discussion about the challenges facing women, especially single mothers, including food insecurity, childcare gaps and the impact of benefit reductions.
Attendees shared their accounts of how reduced state and federal supports are straining an already overextended safety net.
The Community Foundation and the Crystal Lake Food Pantry were notified after that session that Pritzker wished to visit the Crystal Lake Food Pantry to further explore the issues.
Pritzker toured the Crystal Lake Food Pantry with Executive Director Jason Weisenberger and his team last week.
He participated in a roundtable discussion afterwards with leaders from organizations that included the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, The Community Foundation for McHenry County, McHenry County Government, City of Crystal Lake, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, Harvard Community Unit School District 50, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations and East Aurora School District 131.
The discussion focused on the increasing need for food assistance, the challenges faced by McHenry County residents and the broader pressures affecting communities throughout the region.
A local resident and SNAP recipient shared her experience dealing with reduced benefits as a single mother.
Leaders also addressed related issues such as workforce housing and other opportunities for long-term community improvement.
“It was an honor to have the Governor visit McHenry County, and especially the Crystal Lake Food Pantry,” The Community Foundation for McHenry County Executive Director Amy Hernon.
“Showcasing the dignity and care that the Crystal Lake Food Pantry team provide every day was a powerful demonstration of who we are as a community. We care deeply about our neighbors, and we believe in our shared responsibility to support one another. We were grateful to host the Governor and will continue bringing together cross-sector partners to strengthen our county,” Hernon said.
After his visit, Pritzker said the Crystal Lake Food Pantry is a “critical lifeline” for thousands of vulnerable Illinoisans.
“As the Trump administration threatens cuts to essential programs like SNAP, my administration is committed to protecting resources for our communities,” he said.
Pritzker made the visit to McHenry County quietly with no advanced notice to reporters. He only publicly mentioned the visit for the first time on Sunday.