SNAP-FRESH PROGRAM BENEFITS House SponsorsRep. Dagmara Avelar, Lindsey LaPointe, Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez, Aarón M. Ortíz, Kimberly Du Buclet, Kelly M. Cassidy, Nicolle Grasse, Norma Hernandez, William "Will" Davis, Edgar González, Jr., Carol Ammons and Laura Faver Dias 3/27/2026HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 305 ILCS 5/12-4.13f new Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to households subject to termination of the household's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or a reduction in the household's monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of one or more members of the household failing to meet SNAP work requirements. Provides that, for eligible households whose SNAP benefits were reduced or terminated, FRESH benefits shall be provided as a one-time lump sum payment distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Requires the Department to make FRESH program applications available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers immediately upon the first of the month following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that an application for FRESH benefits shall not be deemed an application for any other public aid provided under the Code. Requires the Department to provide within a specified time frame FRESH benefits to households' that experience a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits prior to or after the first month following the effective date of the amendatory Act, if certain application submission deadlines are met. Requires the Department to publish monthly data reports on the FRESH program and to include such data in the Department's annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits the Department and local governmental units from considering a household's receipt of FRESH benefits when determining the household's eligibility for other assistance provided under the Code. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Effective immediately. 1/30/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Dagmara Avelar 2/6/2026HouseFirst Reading 2/6/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/10/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe 2/19/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez 2/24/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz 2/24/2026HouseAssigned to Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee 3/3/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet 3/5/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dagmara Avelar 3/5/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/11/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy 3/11/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse 3/13/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez 3/18/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee 3/25/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis 3/26/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr. 3/26/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons 3/27/2026HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 3/27/2026HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 4/1/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias