Illinois Could Lose Food Assistance For 1.9 Million If Shutdown Continues

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Human Services says about 1.9 million residents could lose food assistance if the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1, as federal officials have told states they will not fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits beyond that date. The shutdown, now in its third week, remains unresolved as Senate Democrats oppose a continuing resolution backed by Republicans. Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from requiring Illinois to release data on food assistance recipients dating back to January 2020, after the state argued the information includes highly sensitive immigration details.