Bill > HB2531

This bill amends the Grocery Initiative Act to expand the definition of "grocery store" and modify grant provisions for grocery stores in food desert areas. The bill broadens the types of retail establishments that qualify as grocery stores to now include specialized retailers like meat, fruit and vegetable, and fish/seafood stores, in addition to traditional supermarkets. The bill specifically allows Grocery Initiative Grants to be used for acquiring equipment necessary to accept payments from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides nutritional support for low-income families with young children. The grants can continue to be used for various purposes such as feasibility studies, worker salaries, facility acquisition, capital improvements, and equipment purchases. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will administer these grants, with the ability to prioritize awards based on factors like poverty rates, local ownership, and geographic diversity. The bill aims to improve food access in underserved communities by supporting a wider range of grocery retailers and helping them upgrade their technological and payment infrastructure. The changes will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2531&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104