Nearly 2 million Illinoisans get food benefits, up 13.5% since 2019
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in March 2024. Alexander and Pulaski counties led the state with 34% of residents receiving SNAP benefits.
Federal data shows 1.99 million Illinoisans received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in March 2024, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Illinois had the seventh-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.
The state data shows 2.7% fewer Illinoisans were taking advantage of the SNAP program in March 2024 than one year earlier. Despite this short-term decline, the five-year trend shows Illinois had 237,383 more residents using SNAP benefits than before the pandemic.
The rise in SNAP recipients shows economic challenges remain for many families across the state, even as the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have waned.
The data also shows big disparities in food assistance needs across Illinois counties. Alexander and Pulaski counties showed the highest concentration of SNAP recipients in March, with a little more than 1-in-3 residents receiving benefits.
In contrast, McHenry County reported the lowest participation rate, with about 6.7% of residents receiving federal food assistance.
Cook County contributed significantly to Illinois’ SNAP participation rate. While Cook County was home to 41% of Illinois’ population in March, it accounted for 46% of statewide SNAP recipients.
The city of Chicago accounted for 21% of the state population and 31% of Illinois SNAP recipients.
While SNAP benefits help thousands of families put food on the table each year, the rising cost of goods means those benefits don’t stretch as far for program participants. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s move to eliminate Illinois’ grocery tax could provide some relief if city leaders don’t use their ability to reimpose it, but it’s clear more comprehensive solutions are needed.
To truly address these issues, Illinois needs to focus on fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for meaningful employment that help residents reduce their dependence on government.
Illinois must focus on strengthening its fiscal position, removing regulatory burdens and providing real tax relief both to workers who are already finding it difficult to remain and to job creators who are desperately trying to stay.