summary
Introduced
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to households subject to termination of the household's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or a reduction in the household's monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of one or more members of the household failing to meet federal SNAP work requirements. Provides that, for eligible households whose SNAP benefits were reduced or terminated, FRESH benefits shall be provided as a one-time lump sum payment distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Requires the Department to make FRESH program applications available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers immediately upon the first of the month following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that an application for FRESH benefits shall not be deemed an application for any other public aid provided under the Code. Requires the Department to provide within a specified time frame FRESH benefits to households' that experience a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits prior to or after the first month following the effective date of the amendatory Act, if certain application submission deadlines are met. Requires the Department to publish monthly data reports on the FRESH program and to include such data in the Department's annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits the Department and local governmental units from considering a household's receipt of FRESH benefits when determining the household's eligibility for other assistance provided under the Code. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program, which will provide financial assistance to households in Illinois that have had their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits reduced or terminated because a household member failed to meet federal SNAP work requirements. SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. The FRESH program will offer a one-time lump sum payment, distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, to eligible households. Applications for FRESH benefits will be available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers shortly after the bill becomes law, and applying for FRESH benefits will not affect eligibility for other public aid. The Department of Human Services will be required to provide these benefits within a specified timeframe after an application is submitted, and will also publish monthly data reports on the program, which will be included in the department's annual report to the General Assembly. Importantly, receiving FRESH benefits will not be considered when determining eligibility for other state assistance programs. This program is set to end on January 1, 2028.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (16)
Elgie Sims (D)*,
Christopher Belt (D),
Bill Cunningham (D),
Mary Edly-Allen (D),
Paul Faraci (D),
Sara Feigenholtz (D),
Laura Fine (D),
Graciela Guzmán (D),
Mike Halpin (D),
Napoleon Harris (D),
Mattie Hunter (D),
Adriane Johnson (D),
Dave Koehler (D),
Mike Simmons (D),
Karina Villa (D),
Mark Walker (D),
Last Action
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026 (on 04/24/2026)
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