SR0625 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0625 LRB104 20889 ECR 34563 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the fourth-largest school district in the United States, serving more than 325,000 students and providing approximately 350,000 meals daily through participation in federal child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program; and

WHEREAS, In December 2020, the Chicago Board of Education adopted a Local School Wellness Policy that includes a district-wide prohibition on pork products in all CPS breakfast and lunch offerings; and

WHEREAS, Public records requests have not identified documentation explaining the rationale, nutrition analysis, cost analysis, or CPS Board deliberation supporting the adoption of an all-pork prohibition; and

WHEREAS, The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the United States Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (DHHS), recognize pork as a nutrient-dense, high-quality protein that supports child growth, development, and overall health when prepared in appropriate forms; and

WHEREAS, Pork provides essential nutrients, including complete protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins including B12, and choline, which supports brain development; and

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks fourth in the United States in pork production, contributing more than $11.9 billion annually to the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, The pork industry contributes approximately 32,690 jobs in Illinois, including in pork production and with input suppliers such as feed and equipment, transportation, and processing; and

WHEREAS, Pork is widely consumed across Chicago households and is culturally relevant to many CPS families, including Latino, African American, Asian-American, and White communities; and

WHEREAS, CPS participates in the National School Lunch Program and receives USDA foods, including pork products eligible for distribution under the USDA Section 32 program at reduced or no cost; and

WHEREAS, The current prohibition prevents CPS from utilizing USDA-provided pork products, limiting menu flexibility and access to cost-effective protein options funded by federal resources; and

WHEREAS, CPS routinely offers multiple entree options to accommodate dietary needs and preferences, reducing the necessity for a blanket prohibition on any single protein source; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education to conduct a formal review of the Local School Wellness Policy provision prohibiting pork products; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge such a review to include identification and disclosure of the original rationale and supporting documentation for the prohibition, consultation with nutrition experts and food service professionals, and consideration of stakeholder input; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the CPS Board of Education to evaluate whether limited menu testing or pilot programs allowing pork products would better align with current nutrition science, cultural inclusion, fiscal stewardship, and full utilization of available USDA foods.