IllinoisIllinois schools may use share tables to share unused food
Starting August 1, 2027, Illinois school districts may meet food sharing requirements with spaces where students leave whole, unopened food or drinks for others to take free.
What it does
Starting August 1, 2027, Illinois school districts may use share tables to meet food sharing requirements. Students may leave whole, unopened food or drinks for others to take free, while schools follow food safety rules.
Argument forShare tables could reduce food waste and help hungry students by offering unopened food that other students choose not to eat.
Argument againstSchools using share tables could need staff attention to check that food students leave for others meets health and sanitation rules.
More detail
School districts may meet their unused-food sharing plan requirement by using share tables. Students may leave whole, unopened food or drinks at a table, cart, bin, or similar space in the school's food service area for another student to take free. Food sharing plans must focus on students in need and be developed and supported jointly with the local health department. Food sharing must follow applicable federal rules and food donation guidance, plus state and local health and sanitation codes. Districts may write and follow operating policies that refer to state or federal school food donation guidance. The law takes effect August 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 31Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0684Latest
- Jul 31Effective Date August 1, 2027
- Jul 31Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 21Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 21Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000Passed Senate
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
- Apr 30Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 5, 2026
- Apr 30Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 29Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 30, 2026Minor
- Apr 29Do Pass Education; 013-000-000
- Apr 28
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 27Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Laura Ellman
- Apr 22Assigned to EducationMinor
- Apr 10Referred to Assignments
- Apr 10First ReadingMinor
- Apr 10Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam
- Apr 10Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 10Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 9Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 9Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
- Apr 9Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
- Apr 9Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 097-001-000Passed House
- Apr 8Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 8Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 20Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 20Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer
- Mar 20Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness
- Mar 19Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 009-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter SchoolsMinor
- Feb 6Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 6First ReadingMinor
- Feb 3Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Janet Yang RohrIntroduced
Education