IAFCC Legislative Breakfast – The Night Ministry

Announcements

The Night Ministry Joins Forces at IAFCC Legislative Breakfast

“Advocacy isn’t something we do alone—it’s something we do together. This legislative breakfast was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passionate organizations unite around a common goal, and The Night Ministry is proud to stand alongside the IAFCC and our fellow clinic providers as we work to expand access to care for those who need it most.” — Tedd Peso, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Night Ministry

Earlier this month, The Night Ministry joined fellow free and charitable clinic providers for a pivotal legislative breakfast hosted by Community Health and the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC). The gathering brought together passionate advocates, dedicated legislators, and innovative healthcare providers united by a common goal: expanding access to critical health services to unhoused and uninsured neighbors.

Laura Starr, Executive Director of IAFCC, welcomed attendees and set the stage for what became a lively and productive discussion about the future of free clinic services across Illinois. The central focus was securing $15 million in state funding for 2026—a significant increase from the $9 million allocated in 2025. This funding request represents the difference between turning patients away and opening doors to care, which means more outreach, more prevention, and ultimately healthier communities across our state.

The case for increased funding is backed by compelling evidence. Last year alone, free and charitable clinics across Illinois achieved a cumulative savings of $70 million in healthcare services and emergency room diversions. The Night Ministry’s outreach and health program played an instrumental role in this success, demonstrating how mobile medicine and street outreach can meet people where they are and connect them to care before health crises occur.

The breakfast drew legislative leaders and staff from their offices, including Representatives Theresa Mah and Camille Lilly, as well as staff from the offices of Sen. Mattie Hunter, Sen. Omar Aquino, Sen. Robert Peters, Sen. Graciela Guzman, Rep. Will Guzzardi, Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, and Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl.

The Night Ministry was proud to stand alongside fellow clinic providers Community Health, Old Irving Park Community Clinic, Mobile Care Chicago, and Chicago Women’s Health Center. Together, these organizations represent a powerful network of compassionate care, reaching across Chicago and beyond to serve those who might otherwise fall through the cracks of our healthcare system.

Attendees left the breakfast with clear next steps: supporting Senate Bill 3519 and House Bill 5117, which will secure vital funding for free and charitable clinics, and made time to tour Community Health, Mobile Care Chicago’s Asthma Van, and The Night Ministry’s Outreach and Health Van to see firsthand the impact of this work.

As we move forward into 2026, The Night Ministry remains committed to providing healthcare, housing, and human connection to members of our community who are left out and left behind. The path from $9 million to $15 million isn’t just about budget increases—it’s about expanding our collective capacity to serve, to heal, and to demonstrate that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege.