More than 60 Jewish community leaders, representatives from Jewish-affiliated agencies and government officials gathered at JUF on Nov. 22 to discuss the results of the Nov. 8 election.

Convened by JUF Government Affairs Committee chair David Golder, the discussion featured post-election analysis from Andy Shaw, a 30-year political journalist veteran and current president and CEO of the Better Government Association.

Shaw began the conversation comparing the 2016 presidential election results to the outcome of the 1983 Chicago mayoral race, when Harold Washington unseated the Chicago political machine, ousting incumbent Jane Byrne and second runner-up, Richard M. Daley.

In this election, Shaw emphasized how the polls got it wrong, failing to take into account the political climates of non-urban areas. He also said standard campaign strategies did not bode well this election cycle as illustrated by the slight win margins in key states. Last, the usual platforms — newspapers, TV — used by the electorate to gather information was turned upside down by a steady stream of information sent to a dis-satisfied electorate through by tweets and other social media platforms.

JUF’s Washington, D.C. Director Lisa Shuger then joined the conversation to discuss what impact the election’s outcome could have on the Jewish Federation’s federal policy priorities. At great risk are the Affordable Care Act and entitlement programs, such as food stamps and cash subsidies. On the foreign policy side, though President-elect Trump’s stance on Israel is not clear, Shuger said there are talks of Prime Minister Netanyahu visiting the U.S. in March for a meeting.

The meeting then turned to the state level. Suzanne Strassberger, JUF’s representative in Springfield, talked about the impact of the ongoing state budget stalemate on Federation’s social service network. The six-month stop-gap budget will expire on Dec. 31, putting the community care program for non-Medicaid eligible frail older adults and other important human service programs on the chopping block.

“Both Gov. Rauner and Speaker Madigan have compelling reasons for wanting to stand true to their agenda and not negotiate,” said Strassberger said. “Sadly, that leaves the state without a budget for possibly the next two years.”