Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Three of the Springfield city council meetings’ more frequent public commenters shared their thoughts about, among other things, the coming suspension of SNAP (food stamp) benefits, the recently announced BEACON program, and what is needed in response to the Sean Grayson trial.

The federal government shutdown will claim the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Saturday. Bree Roberts asked aldermen if they had experienced true hunger. “It makes your stomach feel like it’s eating itself alive,” she said. “The pain is so deep it makes you double over. There is a fog that clouds your mind, because your body is running on empty, and you cannot think of anything but food.”

Citizen Aaron Cahill recounted his experience as a volunteer firefighter to praise the city for injecting social workers and counselors into the mix of first responders. “If we can meet them where they are with their mental health crises, we can potentially prevent suicides, homicides,” he said. “We can’t just strictly rely on the hospitals. Unfortunately, we don’t have beds for mental health crisis.” The BEACON program will include its own $337,000 ambulance, pending approval of its grant-funded purchase Nov. 4.

As Grayson jury deliberations concluded for the night Tuesday, Ald. Erin Conley expressed “thoughts and prayers” for the family of Sonya Massey, the woman Grayson shot and killed last year. Citizen Ken Pacha said we need more than that sentiment. “They don’t want your thoughts and prayers. They want you to do something about the conditions that created the murder of Sonya Massey.” Grayson also criticized the aldermen who did not attend the previous night’s Massey Commission meeting – its final one.