97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1480
 
Introduced , by Rep. Chapin Rose
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a new

    Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services shall seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to specify certain foods that may and may not be purchased in Illinois with the benefits funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as the Food Stamps Program), including a general ban on the use of SNAP benefits to purchase foods of minimal nutritional value such as carbonated soft drinks, snack cakes, candies, chewing gum, flavored ice bars, and fried, high-fat chips. Requires the Secretary to consult with members of the General Assembly in developing the waiver and to obtain approval from the General Assembly before implementing the waiver. Further provides that, in order to use a LINK card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash, the user must show a current and valid photo identification. Prohibits such use of a LINK card if the name on the photo identification does not match the name on the LINK card or if the photo does not match the user of the card. Provides that every LINK card issued on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act must include on its face the name of every household member entitled to use the card.



LRB097 05591 KTG 45653 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
A BILL FOR
 


HB1480LRB097 05591 KTG 45653 b



1    AN ACT concerning local government.

 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly: 

 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by 
5adding Section 12-4.4a as follows:
 
6    (305 ILCS 5/12-4.4a  new)
7    Sec. 12-4.4a. SNAP program; waiver to determine food that 
8may be purchased in Illinois; photo ID requirement.
9    (a) As used in this Section:
10    "LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card 
11issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of 
12enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as 
13food stamps) benefits or cash.
14    "SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
15Program (formerly known as the Food Stamps Program). 
16    (b) The Secretary of Human Services shall seek a waiver 
17from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the 
18State to specify foods that may and may not be purchased in 
19Illinois with benefits funded by the federal SNAP program, 
20including a general ban on the use of SNAP benefits to purchase 
21foods of minimal nutritional value such as carbonated soft 
22drinks, snack cakes, candies, chewing gum, flavored ice bars, 
23and fried, high-fat chips. The Secretary shall consult with 
 
 
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1members of the General Assembly in developing the waiver and 
2must obtain the approval of the General Assembly prior to 
3implementing the waiver.
4    (c) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act 
5of the 97th General Assembly, in order to use a LINK card to 
6obtain SNAP benefits or cash, the user must show a current and 
7valid photo identification. A person may not use a LINK card to 
8obtain SNAP benefits or cash if: 
9        (1) the name on the photo identification presented by 
10    the user does not match the name of any person designated 
11    on the face of the LINK card as a person entitled to use 
12    the card; or
13        (2) the photo does not match the user of the card.
14    (d) Every LINK card issued on or after the effective date 
15of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly must 
16include on its face the name of every household member entitled 
17to use the card.