In Spring 2023, Illinois passed the Healthy School Meals for All bill (Public Act 103-0532), which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students who want it, but did not receive the funding to make it a reality. That’s why in the Spring 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly must include a $209M appropriation to fund school meals for all kids in the FY2025 budget.

Giving all children access to free, healthy school meals is proven to improve their health, well-being, and academic performance. Eight other states – including neighboring Minnesota and Michigan – have passed and funded permanent school meals for all kids, and it’s time Illinois does the same. Making free school meals available to all children can reduce disparities in health and education outcomes, advance racial equity, and reduce stigma currently associated with receiving a free or reduced-price meal.