(305 ILCS 44/15)

Sec. 15. Administering entity.

(a) The Secretary shall engage a not-for-profit entity from Illinois' emergency food system to administer the program. The administering entity shall have statewide reach and represent multiple food banks that source and distribute food to Illinois food pantries and soup kitchens under the same authorities and standards as the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Department.

(b) The duties of the administering entity shall include, but are not limited to:

(1) developing an annual plan outlining anticipated needs, outreach efforts, potential challenges, and any changes that may affect the program from the prior year;

(2) issuing an annual report that summarizes the activity from the prior year, including meeting the capacity-building and equity goals of the program;

(3) identifying program participants and their food needs;

(4) building relationships with Illinois agricultural entities that address those needs, including socially disadvantaged farmers;

(5) coordinating the acquisition and distribution of agricultural commodities to food banks; and

(6) distributing capacity-building grants.

(Source: P.A. 103-412, eff. 8-3-23.)