96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB5544

 

Introduced 2/9/2010, by Rep. John D. Cavaletto

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a new

    Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2011, electronic benefits transfer cards ("LINK") used to obtain food stamp benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and, at the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary holders who are authorized to use the card. Establishes that an individual may only use the LINK card if the photo on the card matches the user or he or she presents a current and valid photo identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user listed on the card. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act the Department of Human Services shall begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and list the names of all authorized users of the card. Requires the transition to be completed no later than January 1, 2011. Effective immediately.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5544 LRB096 15178 KTG 30248 b

1     AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by
5 adding Section 12-4.4a as follows:
 
6     (305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a new)
7     Sec. 12-4.4a. Food stamps; electronic benefits transfer
8 card.
9     (a) In this Section, "LINK card" means an electronic
10 benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human
11 Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to
12 obtain food stamp benefits or cash.
13     (b) On and after January 1, 2011, LINK cards used to obtain
14 food stamp benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of
15 the primary cardholder. In addition, the card shall contain, at
16 the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary
17 cardholders who are authorized to use the card to obtain food
18 stamp benefits or cash. An individual may use the LINK card to
19 obtain benefits only if :
20         (1) he or she is the primary cardholder listed on the
21     card and the photo on the card matches the user; or
22         (2) he or she is the secondary cardholder listed on the
23     card and he or she shows a current and valid photo

 

 

HB5544 - 2 - LRB096 15178 KTG 30248 b

1     identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user
2     listed on the card.
3     (c) On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
4 96th General Assembly, the Department of Human Services shall
5 begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards
6 which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and
7 list the names of all authorized users of the card. This
8 transition shall be completed no later than January 1, 2011.
 
9     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
10 becoming law.