Senate Republicans let enhanced unemployment expire today without any extension in place. That means as many as 800,000 Illinoisans will lose $600 per week in the middle of this pandemic. Here are a few of their stories: [thread] https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin/status/1289245831371972608

Roshunda Williams was a bartender for 19 yrs at the Palmer House Hilton before being laid off in March. She made significantly more than the $600/week from unemployment & would go back to work in a heartbeat. She worries she'll lose her home & health insurance.

Andrés Moreno worked at a downtown restaurant before the pandemic. His husband also worked in the restaurant industry. They not only lost jobs – they lost their health insurance. Without unemployment benefits, they would not be able to afford coverage during this deadly pandemic

Aileen Dimery is a lighting tech with IATSE Local 2. She hasn't worked since March. Because her job revolves around large events with thousands of people, there is simply no work. Though enhanced unemployment has stopped coming, her bills and rent have not.

Jesus Morales worked for 33 years at the Drake Hotel, making up to $1,700 a week. He's been laid off due to the pandemic since March and worries about providing for his wife and 3 children. Losing his health insurance & the $600/week from unemployment would be devastating.

Samantha Arce is a mother of 3 who gave birth just a few days before the initial lockdown. Her place of work has since closed & her fiancé has since lost his job. They went from 2 working parents to none very quickly. UI benefits help pay hospital bills & care for their children.

I hope Senate Republicans realize how devastating it will be for these Americans to lose their enhanced unemployment benefits. These are not lazy people refusing to go back to work. These are people struggling just to get by.

@SenateGOP should be ashamed.