(The Center Square) – Dozens of people gathered and marched to Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood’s office in Normal to protest what he described as Congress’ responsibility to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending.
On social media, McLean County board member and Normal Township Supervisor Krystle Able expressed gratitude for the turnout of disability advocates, homecare workers, labor groups, seniors and retirees who gathered to demand no cuts to Medicaid.
“We are with disability advocates, ADAPT Chicago, Life Center for Independent Living, and Bloomington-Normal community members who are advocating for no cuts to Medicaid. We are gathering in the plaza right outside the Amtrak station right now,” Able said in a livestream video encouraging followers to join the protest. “Soon, we will be moving over to Rep. LaHood’s office, right diagonal from us here, where his entire staff has exited the building and left for the day.”
Able said when the protestors started to arrive, LaHood’s staff closed up and left.
“We will not be meeting with Congressman LaHood or anyone from his staff, as we suspected, but we will still be making our voices heard,” said Able. “So please come down to Uptown Normal, join your fellow community members and disability rights organizations to fight for no cuts to Medicaid and no tax breaks for billionaires.”
Able is the executive director of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans. According to 2023 tax filings, the nonprofit spent $131,000 and generated $65,677 in revenue.
LaHood’s office confirmed the advocates made no attempts to schedule a meeting and that LaHood was in the northern part of his 21-county district, where he met with constituents, toured local businesses, and hosted an open house for prospective students and parents interested in attending the nation’s service academies.
“I am committed to focusing on the issues that matter to my constituents,” said LaHood. “I will continue to provide high-quality constituent services, support local businesses, meet with constituents across Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, and represent their interests in Washington, D.C.”
Photos circulating on social media show LaHood’s face on milk cartons and posters reading. “Where’s LaHood?”
In a statement, LaHood emphasized the importance of addressing the nation’s $36 trillion debt. He argued that to ensure the long-term sustainability of programs like Medicaid, spending must be prioritized and focused on delivering high-quality care to those who need it most.
“In Congress, we are working to address waste, fraud, and abuse in the program, increase transparency, support rural and underserved communities, and prioritize care for our nation’s most vulnerable,” said LaHood.
In February, President Donald Trump said he will not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
“I’ve said it so many times that you shouldn’t even be asking me that question,” said Trump. “We’re not going to touch it [Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security]. Now, we are going to look for fraud.”
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, taxpayers lose about $521 billion annually to fraud, and most of that is within entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, addressed waste and fraud in a March interview with Fox Business’ Larry Kudlow.
“The waste and fraud in entitlement spending, which is most of the federal spending is entitlements, so, that’s, like, the big one to eliminate. That’s the, sort of half-trillion, maybe $6-700 billion a year.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated it made over $140 billion in improper payments in 2024 alone.
