Food assistance need grows 12% in Illinois since 2019
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans, with around half in Cook County, relied on federal food assistance in October 2024, marking a 12% increase in five years.
Over 1.99 million Illinoisans, or 1.09 million households, relied on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to meet basic nutritional needs in October 2024, according to a report from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
State data shows an approximate 0.3% decrease in Illinois recipients of federal SNAP benefits in October compared to the previous year. Despite this recent dip, the number of Illinois residents using SNAP benefits remains about 212,000 above pre-pandemic levels.
This is a nearly 12% increase in SNAP recipients since 2019, indicating many Illinois families continue to face economic hardships in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend underscores the need for state leaders to promote economic stability and employment.
Illinois has the third-highest unemployment rate in the country, at 5.3% or about 346,000 residents in October 2024. With persistently slow job growth since the pandemic, Illinois’ recovery rate is the fifth worst in the nation and dead-last among neighboring states. Adding to these issues is Illinois’ low social mobility potential, making it harder for low-income Illinoisans to climb the economic ladder compared to people in other states.
Illinois had the ninth-highest share of residents using federal SNAP benefits, and the highest share in the Midwest. More than 1-in-7 Illinoisans received federal food help.
State data shows SNAP use varies widely across Illinois counties. Alexander and Pulaski counties had the highest concentration of SNAP recipients, with one-third of residents and over half of all households receiving benefits in October.
McHenry County had the lowest individual participation rate, with about 6.8% of residents receiving federal food assistance.
Cook County residents and households make up a significant portion of Illinois’ SNAP participants. Although Cook County contains about 41% of Illinois’ population, it had 46% of statewide SNAP recipients in October.
SNAP use in Chicago significantly drives participation rates in Cook County and Illinois. Chicago accounted for 54.7% of Cook County’s households but 67% of its household SNAP recipients. The city represented about 31% of all SNAP-receiving households in Illinois.
Although SNAP provides crucial support for thousands of families, the rising cost of living prevents benefits from fully covering basic needs, leaving many still struggling.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s elimination of Illinois’ 1% grocery tax will give families some relief in 2026. However, 46 municipalities have already reinstated it, and others could likely follow. Illinois leaders must enact more comprehensive reforms to address food insecurity at its root.
Statewide SNAP trends highlight the need for policy interventions promoting economic stability and employment. Key reforms include removing burdensome regulations restricting opportunity, reshaping social safety net programs to incentivize skill development and career growth, and addressing the state’s long-term fiscal issues to enable tax relief and boost investment in the economy and job creation. Implementing these changes will help build a more prosperous Illinois for all.