ABC 20: Illinois rallies for budget appropriation to enable healthy school meals for all

Coalitions across the state are calling on the General Assembly to provide funding in the 2025 state budget to fund the 'Healthy School Meals for All' bill. (WICS)

Springfield, IL — A statewide push to provide healthy school meals for all children across Illinois may soon become a reality. Coalitions across Illinois are calling on the General Assemble to provide funding in the 2025 state budget.

Last year in the spring 2023 session, Illinois passed the 'Healthy School Meals for All' bill which provides free breakfast and lunches to all students who want it, but the bill did not receive the appropriation it needed and that has now left lawmakers in Springfield asking for the proper funding to finally kick-start this movement.

In order for it to become a reality we really need it to show up in this years state budget, so we could go back to providing a free breakfast and lunch for all kids who want and need one, said Simon.

Janna Simon at the Illinois Public Health Institute shared a few reasons why this funding should be in the 2025 state budget.

Over 315,000 children in Illinois are facing hunger and about 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 of them, depending on the region, actually don't qualify for free - reduced priced lunch. There's actually already a gap, said Simon

And not only is this issue effecting the students, but it also effects teachers as well.

Simon shared that some teachers even pay out of pocket for snacks to help feed their children who are hungry in the afternoon.

Championing House Bill 4785, Representative Maurice West said that this movement was historic for the state, but with no funding from the last session, things would have to change over at the capitol.

"We're going to have to be more aggressive and more assertive. We filed legislation requesting $209 million dollars so that we can feed our babies while they are in school, said Rep. Maurice west II (D) Rockford

The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman and State Representative Maurice West.

Like many bills this time of year, House Bill 4785 is still in the initial stages. The hope is to get the funding announced in the Governor's State of the State Address on February 21st, 2024.

According to the Food Research and Action Center states like California, Michigan, Minnesota and Colorado have permanent polices past. Here in the Midwest Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa only have introduced legislation or have formed coalitions in support of this matter.

 If funded, Illinois would be joining 8 other states across the nation in this effort to provide permanent school breakfast and lunches for kids.