Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago
Although enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined marginally in April, nearly 2 million Illinoisans still depend on the federal food aid. Illinois’ food insecurity has yet to recover from the pandemic.
Nearly 1.94 million Illinois residents relied on federal benefits to feed their families in April, with most in Cook County and Chicago.
The latest data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation showed in April the rate declined 0.66% from a month earlier and 2.63% from a year earlier. Despite this short-term decrease, the longer-term trend reveals persistent food insecurity challenges across the state. SNAP enrollment has increased by 10,700 residents since April 2020.
Persistently high SNAP participation means many Illinoisans are struggling economically. Policymakers need to respond with strategies to improve people’s job prospects.
Illinois was tied for seventh-worst unemployment rate in the nation at 4.8% in May 2025, with 319,000 residents actively seeking work. With persistently slow job growth since the pandemic, Illinois’ recovery rate is fifth worst in the nation and second-to-last in the region. Adding to these issues is Illinois’ low social mobility potential, making it harder for low-income Illinoisans to climb the economic ladder compared to people in other states.
SNAP usage continues to vary dramatically across Illinois counties. In Alexander and Pulaski counties, nearly one-third of residents, 31.8%, received food assistance in April. At the other end, McHenry County saw at 6.6% of residents using the food benefits and Monroe and Randolph counties were at 8.1%.
Cook County households still make up a sizable portion of Illinois’ SNAP enrollment. While the county represents 41.6% of the state’s total households, it accounted for 48% of statewide SNAP enrollment.
Chicago intensifies Cook County’s high demand for food assistance. The city accounts for 54.7% of Cook County’s households but represents 67% of its SNAP recipients. The high concentration of SNAP use in Chicago, where approximately 340,000 households rely on SNAP benefits, suggest the need for policies targeted to urban centers.
The statewide rate shows state leaders need to fix the high taxation and regulatory environment that is hurting employment and stunting Illinois’ economic recovery from the pandemic.
Although SNAP provides crucial support for thousands of families, the rising cost of living prevents benefits from fully covering basic needs, leaving many still struggling.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s elimination of Illinois’ 1% grocery tax will give families some relief in 2026. However as of June 2025, 209 Illinois municipalities have already reinstated the grocery tax, and others likely to follow. Illinois leaders must enact more comprehensive reforms to address food insecurity at its root.