A bill currently being considered by the Illinois General Assembly would allow certain food stamp recipients to redeem meals at restaurants.
The bill, HB3343, would allow households with elderly or disabled members that receive SNAP benefits to redeem food stamps at certain restaurants that contract with the state government. Homeless people who receive SNAP benefits would also be eligible for the program.
The bill does not specify which restaurants could or could not accept food stamps.
According to WBBM-TV , Arizona and California have passed similar laws.
The bill passed through the House on March 29 and is currently in the state Senate. Should the bill pass, it would be sent to the desk of Illinois Gov. J,B. Pritzker. Should the bill be signed into law, the new policy would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
