August 20, 2023 – Communities across Illinois that lack access to nearby stores that sell high quality food may soon see that change.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed a bill that sets up a program to distribute $20 million for grants and technical assistance for grocery stores as well as funding research into food insecurity.
The grants will go to grocery stores that are independently owned, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, co-ops and grocery stores owned by units of local government.
The program’s proponents say supporting grocers with state funds will be a boon for residents and struggling local economies.
“When our residents struggle to keep a roof over their head, can’t put food on the table, or have to choose between paying for basic medical care and keeping the lights on – that’s a failure of the system,” Pritzker said in a Friday news release.
According to 2021 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at least 3 million Illinois residents live in food deserts as defined in the new law, although the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity can designate additional areas as food deserts.
Data collected this spring by the U.S. Census Bureau also revealed that food insecurity affects multiracial, Hispanic and Black households at higher rates than white households.
Officials declined to announce a specific timeline for when the grants will become available but said that updates would be published on the DCEO website when about the grant application process is finalized.
“We’re moving as fast as we can because we know there’s a need across the state,” Pritzker said at a Friday news conference.
By ANDREW ADAMS
Capitol News Illinois
