Illinois Must Step up and Meet its Obligation to Fund Free School Meals for all Public School Students

Illinois has seen recent progress in moving the needle towards fuller funding for school meal programs, but there is more to do. Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) and its partners in the Healthy School Meals for all Kids coalition applaud the higher allocation included in the Illinois budget that now allows the state to meet its requirement of investing 15 cents per school meal. This lightens the burden for school districts at a very difficult time. But there is much more to do for Illinois to meet its full commitment to provide universal (free) school meals for all Illinois school districts. 

Research shows that free school meals help students learn and thrive, and children who are hungry find it hard to focus and learn. A free school meal program removes the stigma for students who receive free or reduced price meals, saves families money, eliminates school meal debt and cuts bureaucratic red tape. Free school meals also play a key role in addressing hunger for all public school students – including children who are immigrants and refugees.

The Healthy School Meals for All bill was passed and signed by Governor Pritzker in 2023, but the state has yet to allocate the $216 million in funds needed to make free breakfast and lunch available to all students. HSC and its partners, including the Illinois Public Health Institute, are focused on building broad support across the state and encouraging lawmakers and Governor Pritzker to fully fund this obligation. The success of this campaign will benefit all districts, including those (like Chicago) that are already providing free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision. The additional funding will help cover their existing budget gaps and provide funds that can be put towards more fresh, local and less-processed food items. 

Sara Porter, HSC’s Vice President of External Affairs emphasized the need for the state to fully fund this important effort, “We are excited to see momentum around this issue. More organizations are signing on to our coalition, and our state government has taken an important first step. Free school meals are the right thing to do from an anti-hunger perspective, and a high quality education perspective. All Illinoisans should see how this will help our children learn, grow and thrive.”

HSC and partners have been building support and spreading the word across Illinois about this important opportunity to support students and families. Learn more and get involved!