Despite slight decline, nearly 2M Illinoisans still receive food help
Illinois enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program decreased slightly in December, but over 1.9 million residents still received benefits.
Even though the number of Illinoisans relying on federal food benefits decreased slightly in December, more than 1.96 million residents, or 1.07 million households, received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
State data shows a slight decrease of 0.54% in Illinois SNAP recipients from last month, and a 0.72% decline from last December. However, the long-term trend shows SNAP participation is 10.21% higher than five years ago, when 1.78 million Illinoisans received benefits.
With an increase of more than 180,000 SNAP recipients since 2019, it’s clear many Illinoisans face ongoing financial hardships. This pattern highlights the importance for state lawmakers to prioritize economic stability, job growth and employment.
Illinois has the fifth-highest unemployment rate in the country, at 4.9%, or slightly over 328,000 residents in December. The state’s job market remains sluggish, with the nation’s fifth-worst job openings-to-unemployment ratio — 52,000 more unemployed workers than open jobs. Aggravating these problems is Illinois’ low social mobility, the worst in the Midwest, which prevents economically disadvantaged individuals from improving their circumstances.
Illinois’ share of residents using federal SNAP benefits was the highest in the Midwest and the eighth highest in the nation. More than 15% of Illinoisans received federal nutritional assistance in December.
SNAP usage varies extensively across Illinois counties, with higher participation in rural counties than Chicago collar counties. Alexander and Pulaski had the highest share of residents receiving SNAP benefits at 32.6%, followed by Vermilion County at 29.1%, and Gallatin, Pope and Saline counties at 25.6%.
McHenry County had the lowest share of SNAP participants at just 6.7%. Monroe and Randolph counties had the second-lowest share at 8.2%, followed by DuPage County at 8.7%.
Cook County continues to account for a major concentration of SNAP usage in Illinois. While Cook County contains 41.6% of the state’s households, it accounted for nearly half, or 48.2%, of statewide SNAP-receiving households in December.
Chicago’s high concentration of SNAP recipients is a key driver of Cook County’s and Illinois’ high participation rates. Chicago contains nearly 55% of Cook County’s households but 67% of the county’s SNAP recipients. Additionally, the city accounted for 31% of the state’s households receiving SNAP benefits.
While SNAP helps reduce food insecurity and supports thousands of families in meeting basic needs, the increasing cost of living stops benefits from providing full coverage, resulting in ongoing hardship for many.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s repeal of Illinois’ 1% grocery tax will offer families some relief in 2026. Yet, 46 municipalities have already reinstated it, with others likely to follow. Illinois lawmakers must address the root causes of food insecurity and implement comprehensive reforms to promote economic stability and reduce unemployment.
This includes removing unfair barriers to work, restructuring safety net programs to motivate employment and career advancement, conducting rigorous evaluations to ensure programs improve participants’ outcomes, and implementing fiscal reforms to boost economic development and job creation. Adopting these reforms will foster a brighter, more prosperous Illinois for everyone.