Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1-in-6 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024. Illinois ranked No. 9 in the nation for highest rate of federal food help.
A new report shows over 1.99 million Illinoisans received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Illinois had the ninth-highest share of residents using federal SNAP benefits, down from No. 7 in March. Illinois still had the highest participation rate in the Midwest with nearly 1-in-6 Illinoisans receiving federal food help.
The state data shows 2.6% fewer Illinoisans were taking advantage of the SNAP program in May 2024 than one year earlier. Despite this short-term decline, 216,944 more residents received federal food assistance than in May 2019.
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. Pulaski County showed the highest concentration of SNAP recipients in May, with one-third of residents receiving benefits.
In contrast, McHenry County reported the lowest participation rate, with about 6.7% of residents receiving help.
Chicago contributed significantly to Illinois’ SNAP participation rate. Within Cook County, the city of Chicago accounted for 55% of the households and 67% of county SNAP households receiving benefits.
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’ 1% 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.
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.