John Elleson, Republican candidate for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, said the federal government’s decision to freeze portions of social-services funding exposes deep accountability failures and underscores the need to protect taxpayer dollars.
The Trump administration is freezing more than $10 billion in federal child care and social services funding nationwide, including significant allocations for Illinois, amid concerns that benefits were fraudulently diverted to non-citizens, according to the New York Post. The freeze affects programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Child Care Development Fund, and the Social Services Block Grant.
“I think (freezing federal aid) is a must,” Elleson told the North Cook News. “If it affects things adversely at first, then so be it. We have to protect taxpayer dollars.”
Federal officials formally requested detailed recipient records from Illinois dating back to 2019 as part of an investigation into alleged misuse of social services funds. While governors in other Democratic-led states publicly condemned the move as political retaliation, Illinois officials had not publicly responded at the time, according to the New York Post.
On Jan. 9, U.S. Judge Arun Subramanian of the Southern District of New York granted a temporary restraining order halting the administration’s suspension of federal child care and family assistance funds that support low-income families in Illinois, according to USA Today. Illinois, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York had taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services following the funding cutoff.
A federal judge on Feb. 6 struck down the Trump administration’s $10 billion freeze on child care and family planning funding affecting five Democratic-led states, including Illinois, according to ABC7 Chicago. Judge Vernon S. Broderick of the Southern District of New York granted a preliminary injunction compelling the administration to restore the withheld funds. The administration cited fraud concerns but offered no supporting evidence. The injunction holds until the court reaches a final decision on the freeze’s legality.
Elleson said the reaction from Democratic leadership reflects misplaced priorities.
“Both don’t care about taxpayer monies being wasted,” he said. “They are only interested in protecting the voting block.”
Elleson said court action does not eliminate the need for aggressive oversight.
“There needs to be a fraud czar appointed and visit in person each recipient of federal funds,” he said.
The funding freeze comes amid reports that Minnesota’s social-services system was exploited through what federal prosecutors described as “industrial-scale fraud.” Investigators allege fake nonprofits and businesses billed the state for services never provided, with potential losses totaling as much as $9 billion since 2018, according to the New York Post.
Suspects allegedly built fictitious child care businesses, fabricating client records and recruiting relatives to file false claims, with some traveling across state lines. The fraud has produced 92 defendants and numerous convictions, with millions allegedly sent abroad or spent on luxury items.
As more information came to light, including a viral video from independent journalist Nick Shirley showing nearly empty, state-subsidized childcare centers collecting millions in public funds, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz abruptly suspended his re-election campaign. Republicans pointed to the incident as evidence of systemic failures in oversight and accountability, according to Minnesota State Wire.
President Donald Trump commented on the Minnesota scandal, saying it revealed widespread mismanagement across multiple states.
“Governor Walz has destroyed the State of Minnesota, but others, like Governor Gavin Newscum, JB Pritzker, and Kathy Hochul, have done, in my opinion, an even more dishonest and incompetent job,” Trump said on Truth Social. “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!”
More than a year earlier, Gov. JB Pritzker publicly praised Walz after Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate, calling Walz a “proven leader” and highlighting their frequent communication, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Elleson said Illinois should treat the Minnesota case as a warning.
“A personal visit to each recipient of public funds with an assessment of the work they are providing to the community,” he said.
In May 2025, Illinois House Republicans, including State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), raised concerns that more than $1 billion in taxpayer money was being directed to politically connected nonprofits, according to The Center Square. Halbrook described $14 million allocated to the Indo-American Center as “just a drop in the bucket.”
Republicans also proposed a pared-down $44 billion state budget, which was ultimately rejected by lawmakers aligned with Gov. Pritzker.
The Macon Reporter reported that Illinois House Republicans pointed to findings from the Illinois DOGE series, which showed that more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds had flowed to nonprofits with minimal oversight. Major recipients included the Indo-American Center ($25 million), ONE Northside ($1.25 million), the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ($11.4 million since 2020, including $4 million in FY25), Centro de Trabajadores Unidos ($7 million total), the Black Researchers Collective ($700,000 annually), the Chicago Therapy Collective ($1.5 million in FY24), and TMH Mancave ($750,000). In addition, more than $73 million went to local chambers and economic development nonprofits, while racial, ethnic, and religious NGOs collectively received $237 million.
Elleson said unchecked spending erodes trust and weakens essential services.
“It’s about time we crack down on waste, abuse and fraud,” he said. “It’s too common.”
Elleson is running as a Republican in the 2026 primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Born in Monmouth, Illinois, he is a pastor and a graduate of Christian Life College.
Illinois’ 9th Congressional District covers parts of Cook County in the Chicago area, including cities like Chicago, Evanston, Des Plaines, and Park Ridge, as well as numerous surrounding townships and villages.
