IllinoisTownships may offer food and basic goods to people in need
Starting January 1, 2027, townships may offer food and other basic goods to people in need, even if they do not qualify for public aid.
What it does
Townships in counties with township government may run food programs and provide basic goods to people in need, whether or not they qualify for public aid.
Argument forTownship food programs could help people in urgent need get basics like food, clothing, and toiletries, even if they do not qualify for public aid.
Argument againstBecause townships may choose whether to offer these programs, people who need basic goods could have different access depending on where they live.
More detail
Townships may use public aid money for eligible people and may run programs that provide basic goods to people in need. This applies in counties with township government and covers people who are poor, indigent, homeless, or in need of immediate help. Townships may provide money from funds received and collected for public aid to people eligible under Article VI. Food banks, food pantries, and other programs may serve people in need regardless of their eligibility for public aid. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0823Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 26Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Yolonda Morris
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret A. DeLaRosa
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
- May 29Passed Both Houses
- May 29Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 073-035-000Passed House
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo
- May 29Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel Didech
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 22Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin
- May 22Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson
- May 22Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
- May 22Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
- May 22Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
- May 22Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller
- May 22Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
- May 22Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 15Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
- May 6Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Do Pass / Short Debate Human Services Committee; 008-004-000
- May 5Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
- Apr 27Assigned to Human Services CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
- Apr 14Referred to Rules Committee
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14First ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Chief House Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
- Apr 14Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 14Third Reading - Passed; 048-007-000Passed Senate
- Mar 26Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
- Mar 4Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 5, 2026
- Mar 4Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 27Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker
- Feb 27Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters
- Feb 26Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 3, 2026Minor
- Feb 26Do Pass as Amended Local Government; 009-000-001
- Feb 25Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci
- Feb 25Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
- Feb 25Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes
- Feb 24Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Local Government
- Feb 19Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Feb 19Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram VillivalamMinor
- Feb 17Assigned to Local GovernmentMinor
- Feb 5Referred to Assignments
- Feb 5First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram VillivalamIntroduced