(105 ILCS 125/2.5)

Sec. 2.5. Breakfast incentive program. The State Board of Education shall fund a breakfast incentive program comprised of the components described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this Section, provided that a separate appropriation is made for the purposes of this Section. The State Board of Education may allocate the appropriation among the program components in whatever manner the State Board of Education finds will best serve the goal of increasing participation in school breakfast programs. If the amount of the appropriation allocated under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this Section is insufficient to fund all claims submitted under that particular paragraph, the claims under that paragraph shall be prorated.

(1) Additional funding incentive. The State Board of Education may reimburse each sponsor of a school breakfast program at least an additional $0.10 for each free, reduced-price, and paid breakfast served over and above the number of such breakfasts served in the same month during the preceding year.

(2) Start-up incentive. The State Board of Education may make grants to school boards and welfare centers that agree to start a school breakfast program in one or more schools or other sites. First priority for these grants shall be given through August 15 to schools in which 40% or more of their students are eligible for free and reduced price meals, based on the school district's previous year's October claim, under the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.). Depending on the availability of funds and the rate at which funds are being utilized, the State Board of Education is authorized to allow additional schools or other sites to receive these grants in the order in which they are received by the State Board of Education. The amount of the grant shall be $3,500 for each qualifying school or site in which a school breakfast program is started. The grants shall be used to pay the start-up costs for the school breakfast program, including equipment, supplies, and program promotion, but shall not be used for food, labor, or other recurring operational costs. Applications for the grants shall be made to the State Board of Education on forms designated by the State Board of Education. Any grantee that fails to operate a school breakfast program for at least 3 years after receipt of a grant shall refund the amount of the grant to the State Board of Education.

(3) Non-traditional breakfast incentive. Understanding that there are barriers to implementing a school breakfast program in a traditional setting such as in a cafeteria, the State Board of Education may make grants to school boards and welfare centers to offer the school breakfast program in non-traditional settings or using non-traditional methods. Priority will be given to applications through August 15 of each year from schools that are identified as priority schools under Section 2-3.25d-5 of the School Code. Depending on the availability of funds and the rate at which funds are being utilized, the State Board of Education is authorized to allow additional schools or other sites to receive these grants in the order in which they are received by the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 99-193, eff. 7-30-15.)