Judge blocks USDA from demanding SNAP info from Illinois, other states
[October 17, 2025]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Illinois leads a 21-state coalition blocking the
U.S. Department of Agriculture from demanding sensitive Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program data as lawmakers and agency officials
clash over work requirements, cost shifts and administrative errors that
could cost the state hundreds of millions.
During a recent House Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee
hearing, April Harris, speaking on behalf of the Chicago Coalition to
End Homelessness, told the committee that SNAP was “a lifeline” for her
family while homeless, as her husband battled epilepsy.
“Despite what happens at a federal level, Illinois should ensure that
SNAP remains fully funded and accessible so families will not go
hungry,” Harris said.
Amid debates over work requirements and funding, Illinois Attorney
General Kwame Raoul won a preliminary injunction blocking the USDA from
obtaining SNAP data.
“No one should be forced to grant the government an unlimited license to
their personal information for access to the healthy food everyone
deserves,” Raoul said in a statement Thursday.
Raoul emphasized the need to protect vulnerable families while ensuring
access to essential nutrition.
The USDA requested disclosures of recipients since January 2020. The
state of Illinois argued the information is "highly sensitive data” that
includes immigration status.
Critics argue the USDA could misuse the data, including for immigration
enforcement.
Representing the Illinois Department of Human Services, Secretary Dulce
Quintero warned Wednesday’s House committee that proposed federal
legislation would shift a federal burden onto states, requiring Illinois
to cover as much as $705 million in new costs tied to its 11.56% SNAP
payment error rate.
“In Illinois, we estimate at least 250 additional full-time employees
are needed to respond to the federal changes to the SNAP program, and
these new hires could cost over $20 million annually,” said Quintero.
[to top of second column]
|
Groceries including beef, milk, mushrooms, and other food products
are displayed. Photo: Christina Lengyel / The Center Square
Kate Maehr, CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, argued that
work requirements don’t achieve their intended goals.
“In fact, they can have negative health consequences and discourage
families from applying for benefits, especially households with
children,” said Maehr.
Maehr confirmed that under proposed federal rules, able-bodied
adults without dependents must work or train 20 hours per week to
keep SNAP. She warns many rural areas lack opportunities or
transportation, and says such mandates often push people out of the
program.
State Rep. Jason Bunting, R-Emington, pointed out that Illinois
hasn’t enforced work requirements in decades.
According to the Illinois Comptroller’s vendor payment database, the
Greater Chicago Food Depository received $2.1 million in taxpayer
funds between the end of July 2025 and Oct. 1, 2025. Maehr,
according to tax filings reported by ProPublica, was compensated a
salary over $400,000.
Bunting pressed Maehr and state officials on program oversight and
the state’s 11.56% SNAP error rate, a figure that could determine
how much of the program’s cost Illinois would have to cover under
the proposed federal changes.
“Can we get our error rate down to where we’ll be exempt from
penalties?” Bunting asked, pointing out Illinois’ error rate was
just 5.7% in 2017.
Maehr said Illinois’ SNAP error rate is affected by COVID-era
flexibilities. She called reducing the rate a “tall order, but not
impossible” for a state as large as Illinois.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
