WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 3276

SNAP RESPONSE WORKING GROUP

104th Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Belt and 16 co-sponsors

Establishes a 26-member SNAP Response Working Group to analyze federal SNAP changes, project FY2028 costs, and propose data-driven protections and alternatives for Illinois residen

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3276

Summary of Bill SB3276 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Title

SNAP Response Working Group; amendments to the Commission to End Hunger Act (20 ILCS 5015)

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish the SNAP Response Working Group under the existing Commission to End Hunger.
  • The Group is tasked with evaluating, analyzing, and mitigating the impact of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Illinois residents.
  • Provide data-driven projections of costs to the State for maintaining SNAP in federal Fiscal Year 2028 and offer recommendations to prevent or mitigate harm.

Key Provisions and Changes

Creation and Governance

  • Creates the SNAP Response Working Group (the “Working Group”) and requires the co-chairs of the Commission to convene and appoint the co-chairs for the Working Group.
  • The Working Group operates under the umbrella of the Commission to End Hunger, which is charged with reducing hunger and improving nutrition in Illinois.

Purpose of the Working Group

  • Review and analyze federal changes to SNAP (as defined by Public Law 119-21 and subsequent regulatory changes).
  • Gather and analyze data on the potential impacts of these changes on Illinois residents who receive SNAP or are in need of food assistance.
  • Collect estimates/data on Illinois’ SNAP payment error rate (including monthly state-reported error rate) and project the cost to the State to maintain SNAP in Illinois in FY2028.
  • Identify non-SNAP food assistance options and evaluate their capacity to meet Illinois’ needs.
  • Provide information and analysis to the General Assembly and Governor, including recommendations to prevent or mitigate harm from federal changes.

Organization and Membership

  • The Working Group shall have 26 members plus two co-chairs:
    • 2 co-chairs (appointed by the Commission’s co-chairs)
    • 2 Illinois Senate members (appointed by the President of the Senate)
    • 2 Illinois Senate members (appointed by the Senate Minority Leader)
    • 2 Illinois House members (appointed by the Speaker)
    • 2 Illinois House members (appointed by the House Minority Leader)
    • 1 Governor’s representative
    • Directors or designees from:
    • Office of the Governor
    • Department of Aging
    • Department of Healthcare and Family Services
    • Department of Human Services
    • 12 additional members appointed by the Working Group co-chairs, representing:
    • Food banks (serving communities of less than 5 million and greater than 5 million)
    • Mutual aid and other food assistance organizations
    • Statewide coalitions of human service providers
    • Grocery industry associations
    • Domestic violence organizations
    • Legal aid/free legal services organizations
    • Homelessness-focused organizations
    • Children’s advocacy organizations
    • Older adult advocacy organizations
    • Disability advocacy organizations
    • Low-income leadership advocacy groups (including SNAP participants)
    • A union representing front-line state employees who administer public benefits

Term, Support, and Scheduling

  • Members serve without compensation.
  • Appointments due within 30 days of enactment.
  • Data requests to state agencies (DHS, DOA, HFS, etc.) should, to the extent practicable, be provided to the Working Group.

Duties and Analysis

  • Review the timeline and specifics of federal SNAP changes.
  • Analyze impacts on Illinois residents:
    • Number of people likely to lose SNAP benefits by county (and, if possible, by legislative district)
    • Potential disparate impacts on children, older adults, immigrants, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, rural residents, veterans, and people with disabilities
    • Economic impact of SNAP benefit reductions on Illinois statewide and by county/legislative district (where possible)
    • Impacts on other state-funded services
    • Impacts on Illinois’ emergency food system capacity
  • Compile data on SNAP payment error rates (including monthly state-reported error rate) and project the cost to maintain SNAP in FY2028.
  • Identify non-SNAP food assistance programs in Illinois and evaluate whether they can meet need.

Reporting and Timeline

  • Preliminary report due to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027, including:
    • Overview of federal SNAP changes
    • Estimated number of residents impacted
    • Initial recommendations to prevent/mitigate harm
    • Projected cost to maintain SNAP in FY2028
  • Full report due by April 1, 2027, including:
    • Analysis of impacts on Illinois
    • Final recommendations for state action
    • Updated cost projections for FY2028 and potential cost savings
    • Other cost projections related to recommendations
  • Reports and projections to be published on the Department of Human Services website.
  • Working Group dissolves on May 31, 2027.

Effective Date

  • Effective immediately upon becoming law.

Potential Impact

  • This bill creates a formal, data-driven mechanism for Illinois to understand and prepare for federal changes to SNAP.
  • It could shape state policy by identifying protective actions, funding needs, or alternative supports to mitigate adverse effects on low-income residents.
  • The Working Group’s analyses may influence budget discussions, emergency food system planning, and cross-agency coordination.
  • By requiring public reporting and data sharing, the bill emphasizes transparency in evaluating federal SNAP changes’ consequences for Illinois.

Note: As introduced, SB3276 focuses on establishing the Working Group, its composition, data duties, and reporting milestones, with a hard dissolution date in May 2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.