SNAP food aid shutdown: Governor JB Pritzker to sign order supporting Illinois residents who rely on SNAP benefits | LIVE
CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker is set to sign that executive order Thursday supporting people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in the state just days before the program is set to run out of money.
Nearly two million people in Illinois use SNAP benefits.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is set to sign that executive order Thursday supporting people who rely on SNAP benefits.
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Amid the government shutdown, food banks are under pressure and stretched thin.
With the governor signing this executive order, $20 million in state funds will be directed to help food banks.
SEE ALSO: Chicago-area food pantries worry they can’t meet need after SNAP benefits end
Illinois is also one of several states that have sued to save SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.
The governor spoke earlier this week about how much it would cost Illinois to try and fund SNAP at the state level.
“It would cost us, if we were able to try do it, it would cost about $350 million, more than that, rather, to fill in the gap per-month, $350 million from the state,” Governor Pritzker said. “That’s not something a state can possibly fill in.”
RELATED: Illinois among 25 states to sue Trump admin. to keep SNAP funds flowing amid government shutdown
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump hinted at a plan to potentially fund SNAP saying – “We’re going to get it done” – without providing any specific details on a path forward for the program during the shutdown.
If the government shutdown continues, people who rely on SNAP will lose their benefits beginning this Saturday, November 1.
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