Community Behavioral Healthcare Association

10/31/2025

Federal courts ordered the federal administration to continue paying for SNAP (food stamps) during the government shutdown. IDHS and the State of Illinois are reviewing these orders. SNAP benefits remain on hold by the federal government for November until further notice or order by the courts. Even if the courts order payment, it is uncertain how long it will take for SNAP payments to be made.

Benefits from months prior to November can still be used.

IDHS will keep customers updated on this evolving situation.

SNAP information and food resources are available here: SNAPfederalimpact.illinois.gov

10/31/2025

After three years of persistence and collaboration, we have finally passed HB1085 out of both chambers of the General Assembly with big bipartisan support. This key legislation strengthens access to behavioral healthcare by increasing the chronically low reimbursement rates and cutting the red tape that behavioral health providers face. This new law will apply to commercial insurance regulated by the state (i.e,. 2.5M Illinoisans), and will bring more providers into networks so people don’t have to pay out of pocket for therapy on top of their monthly premiums, or worse, forgo care altogether. This is a nation-leading win for behavioral health providers - therapists, psychiatrists, hospitals - and most importantly, for every single family and person who deserves timely mental and behavioral healthcare. We are particularly pleased that local government employees, including teachers and first responders, will benefit. Upon becoming law, the provisions go into effect 1/1/27.

A HUGE thank you to Senator Karina Villa and President Don Harmon for championing this bill in the Senate—and to everyone whose collaboration made this success possible. Heather O’Donnell steered the ship for three years and so many others helped get this across the finish line, front and center being the People’s Lobby Healthcare Taskforce and all the therapists who showed up and weighed in. We hear you and we all deserve better. Healthcare is a human right and mental healthcare is healthcare.

10/30/2025

Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday directing money toward helping food banks as SNAP funding is set to be stopped on November 1.

10/27/2025

If you are in need of clothing resources, either for the colder weather or for Halloween, check out the following locations:

- Blessingdales Thrift Shop - 345 W Eldorado St, Decatur, IL

- Catholic Charities - 247 W Prairie Ave, Decatur, IL

- Central Illinois Christians in Mission (CICIM) - 1000 E Locust St, Decatur, IL

- Dove, Inc. Clothing Room - 650 W. William St, Decatur, IL

- Economy Shop - 155 W King St, Decatur, IL

- Helping Hands-First Church of the Nazarene - 1177 W Hickory Point Rd, Decatur, IL

Hope's Attic - 1120 N Main St, Decatur, IL

- LSA Resale Shop - 421 E Cerro Gordo St, Decatur, IL

- New Day Community Church - SHED Ministries - 4191 Greenswitch Rd, Decatur, IL

- New Life Thrift Shoppe - 1700 E Pershing Rd, Decatur, IL

- Northeast Community Fund - 839 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Decatur, IL

- Reasonable Services - 321 E Leafland Ave, Decatur, IL

- Salvation Army - 2901 N Water St, Decatur, IL

10/24/2025

Looking for food connections?

IDHS offers guidance on food pantry locations, soup kitchens, and other local services across the state.

🍲 To learn more, visit: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31245

10/22/2025

10/16/2025

Federal officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have notified all states that November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be funded if the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its third week, continues. As a result, SNAP participants will not receive new food benefits beginning November 1, 2025, unless the federal government reopens.

Federal officials with the Trump Administration have told all states that if the federal government shutdown continues, it won’t pay for SNAP (food stamp) benefits in November.

As a result, SNAP customers will not receive November food benefits – unless there is further action from to reopen the government.

In the past, when the government shut down, Congress and the President usually fixed the problem before families missed their benefits. But this time, things are still uncertain. The situation is evolving, and the State of Illinois is sharing this information to help those of us who rely on food benefits plan ahead in case benefits are not available on November 1.

Illinois is awaiting further guidance from the federal government.

Updates will be added to the SNAP Federal Impact Center: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/?item=174038

10/14/2025

The General Assembly will reconvene for the annual fall veto session from October 14–16 and October 28–30, with several key items on the agenda. Federal immigration and law enforcement actions in the Chicago area are weighing heavily on lawmakers’ minds, and legislative leaders say they are considering how to respond. Meanwhile, several issues from the spring session remain unresolved, and it is still uncertain whether energy or public transportation reform measures will advance this month.

Illinois lawmakers head into veto session tackling transit, energy, and affordability while monitoring federal actions.

10/10/2025

💚 Today is World Mental Health Day.

Mental health is essential to overall well-being. Let’s work together to end stigma, raise awareness, and connect people with the care they deserve.

Find support and resources: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=173457

10/10/2025

10/09/2025

CBHA CEO Blanca Campos joined leaders from across the nation at ’s to advocate for stronger mental health & substance use services — even in the face of a government shutdown.

10/07/2025

“No one is wired to live with sustained stressors and traumas in our life,” Hilado said. “Prolonged chronic stress [and]exposure to trauma does change how we see ourselves, how we see the people around us, how we see our futures.”

Here are five mental health strategies she recommends:

One mental health expert offers tips on how to cope with the stress of immigration operations in the Chicago region.