Bill > SB2908

This bill requires the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Illinois, to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to restrict certain food and beverage purchases made with SNAP benefits. Specifically, DHS would ask to exclude items like candy, prepared desserts, soft drinks, and certain fruit or vegetable juices with 50% or less natural juice content from the definition of "eligible food" under SNAP. The bill also includes energy drinks and specific beverage mixes and concentrates in this proposed restriction. The rationale behind this proposed change is that current SNAP rules allow the purchase of low-nutrient, highly processed items that contribute to public health issues like obesity and diabetes, which disproportionately affect low-income families. If the waiver is approved by the federal government, DHS would be responsible for informing SNAP recipients about the changes, including what items are restricted and when the new rules take effect, and would also work with SNAP-authorized retailers to ensure they are prepared for compliance.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=2908&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104