SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, more than 1.9 million residents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the majority of those benefits going to households with children, underscoring the critical need for consistent access to food both at home and at school. With nearly half of students already depending on free school meals, State Senator Laura Ellman is calling for stronger state investment in student nutrition.

“Funding free school lunches can fill the gaps that are opening for schools as SNAP benefits are increasingly cut at an alarming rate,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Funding school lunch could be a way to stretch state dollars while feeding kids in need.”

Senate Bill 1419 would appropriate $67 million to the Illinois State Board of Education to support the Healthy School Meals for All Program, a law Ellman previously supported to expand access to free meals for students across the state.

The proposed funding would help fully support schools participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which allows high-need schools to offer free meals to all students. Currently, about one-third of Illinois students attend schools eligible for this program, but not all schools receive enough funding to cover every student.

“Families across our state are facing rising costs, and school meals shouldn’t be another burden on their budget,” said Ellman. “This investment helps ensure no child falls through the cracks simply because of where they go to school.”

Illinois currently contributes about $9 million annually toward school meal programs, covering only a small fraction of the total cost, while federal funding provides the majority of support. However, recent uncertainty around federal funding underscores the need for stable, state-level investment.

Senate Bill 1419 was heard in a subject matter hearing on Tuesday in the Senate Appropriations–Education Committee and awaits further consideration.