Illinois lawmakers consider bill to restrict SNAP buys

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to limit what recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can buy, a proposal supporters say encourages healthier choices while critics worry about access and affordability.

Senate Bill 2908, introduced by state Sen. Neil Anderson, would direct the Illinois Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to bar SNAP benefits from being used on candy, sugary drinks and other highly processed foods. Anderson said the bill “has been necessary for quite a while” to ensure “taxpayer dollars for SNAP aren’t being spent on junk food.”

“For low-income people on SNAP, we want to make sure that they are getting the best food possible nutritionally, so that they’re not chronically ill, whether it’s obesity or diabetes or what have you,” said Anderson.

Under the bill, IDHS would oversee implementation if federal approval is granted, though the department would operate within the guidelines established by the USDA.

“They would have some say in the oversight, but it would be pretty narrow based on the USDA,” Anderson said.

IDHS did not immediately respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.

Ohio is moving forward with plans to restrict the purchase of carbonated, sugary drinks and potentially other high-sugar items like candy using SNAP benefits, with new rules anticipated to take effect this year.

Anderson emphasized that the bill does not take away personal choice.

“This doesn’t mean that people can’t buy, you know, sugary snacks or soda. They would just have to do so with their own money and not SNAP,” he said. “The data was there just to show how chronically ill these people are and how SNAP benefits or taxpayer funds shouldn’t be contributing to that.”

Critics say residents in food deserts, where stores like 7-Eleven may be the only option, could face limited access to groceries.

Anderson acknowledged the issue but said the state is taking steps to address it.

“Even at 7-Elevens, there are still healthier options than candy and soda,” he said. “Obviously we need to do more, but we’re working on that legislatively, and the governor has had some funding to address food deserts in recent budgets.”

Illinois has dedicated $20 million through the Illinois Grocery Initiative to help address food deserts by supporting existing stores and encouraging new grocery development. Additional grant rounds have provided millions more for projects, including roughly $7.9 million in 2024 and over $10 million in 2025 for store upgrades and new locations.

Supporters of SNAP reforms often argue the measures can encourage workforce participation by promoting healthier populations, while critics worry about limiting access to food. Anderson said the legislation strikes a balance.

“This is not taking away SNAP benefits,” he said. “It’s simply saying that it’s not going to pay for things that are directly, according to the health organization, contributing to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension. Healthy people are people that are able to work.”

Anderson also addressed concerns about cost, arguing that restricting sugary drinks and ultra-processed desserts would not leave recipients without affordable options.

“I don’t subscribe to that argument,” he said. “There’s plenty of healthier options. This is just getting rid of the narrowly focused sugary drinks, candy, and ultra-processed desserts. Outside of that, there’s still plenty of affordable options.”