HB3884 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 10902 KTG 21137 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB3884

Introduced , by Rep. Sonya M. Harper

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new
65 ILCS 5/11-20-17 new

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to annually identify and track all food deserts located within the State by conducting a Statewide block-by-block food and health study within each census tract, community area, and postal zip code of the State, excluding areas with very small or zero populations. Defines "food desert". Requires the Department to collect and use certain data to identify the locations of food deserts within the State including: (i) the average distance, in miles, to the closest full-service grocery store or independent or small grocery store for each residential block, census tract, community area, and postal zip code; and (ii) the average distance, in miles, to the closest fast food restaurant for each residential block, census tract, community area, and postal zip code. Defines "fast food restaurant". Provides that beginning October 1, 2018 and for each October 1 thereafter, the Department shall submit an annual report on its findings to the General Assembly and post the report on the Department's official website. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Requires each municipality with a community or geographical area that is identified as a food desert by the Department in its annual report to develop a comprehensive plan on how to combat the nutritional challenges faced by residents located within a food desert. Provides that beginning October 1, 2019 and for each year thereafter, each municipality shall submit a report to the Department on the progress of its plan, including a detailed account of the measures taken and planned by the municipality to improve access to healthy, affordable food options for residents located within a food desert.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 10-75 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new)

Sec. 10-75. Annual reports on food deserts. The Department shall annually identify and track all food deserts located within the State by conducting a Statewide block-by-block food and health study within each census tract, community area, and postal zip code of the State, excluding areas with very small or zero populations. As used in this Section, "food desert" means a community or large geographical area where access to healthy, affordable food options (particularly fruits and vegetables) is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of full-service grocery stores, including independent or small grocery stores that focus on fruits and vegetables, within a convenient traveling distance and causing local residents to face nutritional challenges evident in diet-related community health outcomes. At a minimum, the Department shall collect and use the following data to identify the locations of food deserts within the State:

(1) The average distance, in miles, to the closest full-service grocery store or independent or small grocery store that focuses on fruits and vegetables for each residential block, census tract, community area, and postal zip code, excluding areas with very small or zero populations.

(2) The average distance, in miles, to the closest fast food restaurant for each residential block, census tract, community area, and postal zip code, excluding areas with very small or zero populations. As used in this Section, "fast food restaurant" includes chain restaurants as well as smaller, independent outlets.

(3) The average ratio of grocery stores to fast food restaurants for each census tract, community area, and postal zip code, excluding areas with very small or zero populations. As used in this paragraph, "grocery stores" includes full-service grocery stores and independent or small grocery stores that focus on fruits and vegetables.

Beginning October 1, 2018 and for each October 1 thereafter, the Department shall submit an annual report on its findings to the General Assembly and post the report on the Department's official website.

The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

Section 10. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by adding Section 11-20-17 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/11-20-17 new)

Sec. 11-20-17. Annual reports on food deserts.

As used in this Section, "food desert" means a community or large geographical area where access to healthy, affordable food options (particularly fruits and vegetables) is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of full-service grocery stores, including independent or small grocery stores that focus on fruits and vegetables, within a convenient traveling distance and causing local residents to face nutritional challenges evident in diet-related community health outcomes.

Each municipality with a community or geographical area that is identified as a food desert by the Department of Human Services in its annual report on food deserts required under Section 10-75 of the Department of Human Services Act shall develop a comprehensive plan on how to combat the nutritional challenges faced by residents located within a food desert. Beginning October 1, 2019 and for each year thereafter, each municipality shall submit a report to the Department of Human Services on the progress of its plan, including a detailed account of the measures taken and planned by the municipality to improve access to healthy, affordable food options for residents located within a food desert.