Full SNAP benefits to resume this month after government shutdown ends

Illinois recipients are expected to receive their outstanding benefits by Nov. 20.

By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY
Capitol News Illinois
mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com 

Article Summary 

• SNAP benefits have resumed in Illinois, with recipients set to receive the rest of their November benefits over the next week.

• The Illinois Department of Human Services says the delay was avoidable and put Americans at risk of hunger.

• Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was among eight Senate Democrats who voted to end the government shutdown.

This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story. 

CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Human Services announced Thursday that residents who received partial or delayed SNAP funds in November will begin receiving full benefits for the month.

In Illinois, nearly 1.9 million people rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries. Illinois recipients are expected to see their full benefits by Nov. 20, according to IDHS.

On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and seven other Senate Democrats broke rank to vote alongside Republicans to pass a budget bill and reopen the federal government after a record 43-day shutdown caused an unprecedented lapse in Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program funding.

After three weeks of whirlwind lawsuits, appeals and a proposal by the Trump administration to provide only partial benefits, the government reopening means states can now release outstanding November benefits. 

“The crisis was entirely avoidable,” IDHS said in a statement. “The Trump Administration had the funding to fully support SNAP but chose not to, putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger.”

Lily Simpson, 21, is a substitute elementary school teacher in Carbondale. Simpson, who relies on SNAP for groceries, said the uncertainty around the timing of benefits made it difficult to plan her shopping.

“When they don’t tell you the previous month that it’s going to be cut, it’s hard to budget that way,” Simpson said. “We already don’t have a lot to work with, but the SNAP, it really is just that extra cushion every month for us.”

Simpson, who usually receives $158 in SNAP benefits on the first of the month, said her first payment came in on Nov. 7 with only $12. The next day, she got $38 more. Now, she said she can see the rest pending in her account. 

Though Simpson signed up for text alerts about the status of her benefits, she said there had been no communication about the new deposits since the first one. She was only notified to check her account from a friend’s suggestion. 

Simpson said she was lucky to have family members who could offer support and take her shopping, but without that, she would not have staples like milk and butter in her fridge. 

“I would still be coasting off of the random leftover things in my pantry, like those green beans in the back corner that you forgot about that you’re just going to eat out of the can,” she said. 

“I’m one of the lucky few that was able to continue to eat throughout it, but there’s plenty of people who weren’t.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Fruits and vegetables are pictured at a County Market grocery store in Springfield. The items are eligible for purchase under the federal SNAP program. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Campbell)

Mount Carmel man arrested on possession charges

On November 13, 2025, at 1:56 p.m. Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2009 Chevy Traverse after observing a moving violation near the intersection of County Road 350 North and County Road 875 West.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputies Michael Bates and U.B. Smith detected multiple clues that illegal drugs were possibly inside the vehicle.  At that point they began a roadside drug investigation that resulted in the arrest of 45-year-old Paul Spade of Mount Carmel.  Mr. Spade was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Chrisney man arrested for reckless driving

On November 12, 2025, at 12:22 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on US 41 near County Road 400 South after he observed a Blue 2020 Nissan Sentra traveling 105 mph in a 60-mph zone.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates identified the driver as 21-year-old Joshua Waters of Chrisney, Indiana.  After a brief investigation Deputy Bates placed Mr. Waters into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Reckless Driving.   
 
Princeton Officer Jackie Wood assisted in this investigation.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

MCES To Host Unique Veterans Day Salute

Mt. Carmel Elementary School is honoring local veterans in a new and creative way this year

Mt. Carmel Elementary Principal Jake Newkirk says this year’s Veterans Day celebration will look a little different.

“So tomorrow we’re trying something new. We’ll see how it goes and then modify from there. But for Veterans Day, in addition to our normal activities with themed reading lessons and guest readers, we’re going to have what we call a reverse parade.”

Instead of students lining the streets to watch a parade, the veterans will be the ones driving through.

“We’re inviting veterans to come to our parking lot. We’ll line them up out on 13th Street like we would for a normal parade, and our kids will make like a U in the parking lot. The first and second graders have songs to sing, the kindergartners have flags to wave,” Newkirk continued.

Veterans can participate in cars, golf carts, or even on foot. The event begins with lineup at 1:15 p.m. and the parade starts around 1:30 p.m.

“Hopefully it’s a good recognition and kind of a new way to do that. If it goes okay, we’ll make improvements and do it again. If it doesn’t, we’ll pivot next year,” Newkirk said.

Again, that “reverse parade” honoring local veterans happens tomorrow afternoon at Mt. Carmel Elementary School beginning around 1:30 in the front parking lot.

Wadesville woman arrested for DUI

On November 9, 2025, at 2:11 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2016 Chevy Cruze for a moving violation near Broadway and Lake Road in Princeton.  During the traffic stop Deputy Bates detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 18-year-old Mackenzie Mills of Wadesville.  At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation.  Once the inquiry was completed Deputy Bates placed Ms. Mills into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Minor Consumption. 
 
Deputy U.B. Smith and Princeton Officer Logan Lashbrook assisted in this investigation.    
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Traffic stop leads to DUI arrest

On November 9, 2025, at 4:19 a.m. Gibson County Deputies Michael Bates and U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a White 2020 Toyota Camry after observing it conduct an improper turn on US 41 near Oak Street in Fort Branch.  Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputies observed visible clues that the driver, 22-year-old Macy Clark of Saint Anthony, Indiana, was under the influence.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation.  Once the inquiry was completed Ms. Clark was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Ms. Clark was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WGH Looks To Relocate Ambulance Base

The Wabash General Hospital Board is moving ahead with plans for a new ambulance service building  part of a long-term effort to modernize the hospital’s campus.

At a planning committee meeting, hospital leaders reviewed a proposal from Farnsworth Group, the same firm involved in other ongoing projects.

 “All of the discussion around our construction projects really leads us to the issue that we’re going to have to relocate the ambulance facility,” planning committee chairman John Evans said.

Under the proposal, Farnsworth will handle architectural and engineering design work at a cost of about $354,000. The new facility would be built behind the hospital’s maintenance and storage building just off of College Drive.

Officials say the current ambulance station no longer meets the hospital’s needs and relocation will prevent future space issues.

“We didn’t want to end up in the same situation again, building in an area we might need later. The new site gives us room to grow,” Evans said.

Before construction can begin, the hospital must meet with county commissioners to update an old ambulance service agreement that dates back to the 1990s.

Once those talks are complete, the proposal will come back to the board for final approval to bid and build.

City Looking To Phase Out Red Tag Water Shut Off Notices

Mount Carmel city officials say they’re modernizing how residents are notified about overdue water bills — a move that will save time, money, and improve safety.

At a recent City Council meeting, officials explained that the city plans to replace its hand-delivered water shutoff tags with an automated phone call system.

 Water Superintendent Heath Reed, “Right now, we hand-deliver red tags for accounts that are two months past due. What we’re wanting to transition into is an automated phone call system.”

The change could save hours of work each month. Currently, two employees spend most of a day driving around town delivering about 150 notices by hand. The new system would send those alerts automatically — costing the city just 10 cents per successful call, or around $15 a month.

 “It’s kind of a no-brainer. It saves money, improves safety, and gives customers more time to make arrangements before service is disconnected.”

Officials say the automated calls will go out first thing in the morning, giving residents a full day to pay before shutoffs occur.

The city is also encouraging residents to update their phone numbers and sign up for email billing, so they don’t miss important notices. Those who can’t be reached will still receive a hand-delivered tag for now, until the system is fully phased in.

District #348 Board Agenda

Meeting is Monday at 5pm.

Missing Man Located

2nd UPDATE From MCPD Chief Mike McWilliams: Mr. Shular was located safe this morning, at approximately 9:45 a.m., in the Dogpatch, Indiana area. Shular was transported to an area hospital for treatment by Gibson County EMS. Mt. Carmel Police thank the assisting agencies as well as the public for their assistance in this matter.

UPDATE: Police Chief Mike McWilliams reports Shular has been located safe in the Dogpatch area of Gibson County.

On 11/06/25, at approximately 1030 a.m., Mt. Carmel Police responded to a residence in the 500 block of E 5th Street regarding a welfare check.  Upon arrival, officers learned that Adam Shular, age 42, left the residence at approximately 9:30 a.m., after having a dispute with a family member.  The family member reported concern for Shular’s well-being and requested officers attempt to locate him for a welfare check.  Officers began investigating the complaint, but had limited information regarding his possible whereabouts, other than that he left in a white Dodge Caravan.   With the assistance of cell phone information, law enforcement learned of a possible location in rural Gibson County near the Saunders Nature Preserve on County Road 800 West.  Upon arrival to the area, the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office located Shular’s white Dodge Caravan along with his cell phone.  Mt. Carmel Police and the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office checked the area with the assistance of Ohio Valley Search & Rescue.  Shular was not located in the area, but K-9s on scene suggested Shular may have headed back to Indiana 64 on foot, with the potential of him being picked up by another motorist existing as a possibility.  Authorities continued to check other possible locations in the Princeton area as well as rural Wabash County, with no success.  Shular was reported to be wearing a brown Carhartt-style coat, with no other clothing description available.  Shular is a white male, approximately 6’01”, 300 pounds, with a bald head and brown beard (see attached image of Shular and his coat).  Anyone with information is asked to call the Mt. Carmel Police Department at 618-262-4114.