Gov. JB Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-08, directing $20 million to food banks in response the to halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits

Nearly 2 million people in Illinois may lose food assistance starting Saturday because of the government shutdown. The state and food pantries say they can’t match the $350 million that SNAP provides each month.

Nearly 2 million Illinois residents depend on SNAP to help pay for groceries. As the government shutdown continues, they’re scrambling to find other ways to feed their families.

Food assistance advocates and state officials acknowledged that the state funds to food banks would not be enough to fill the gap left by shutting off federal funds. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton called the funding “a drop in the bucket” at a news conference Thursday morning.

The USDA has said November SNAP benefits will not be paid if the government remains shut down, affecting 2 million Illinoisans.

SNAP benefits could stop Nov. 1 leading to a need of volunteers and donations at food banks and organizations.

The USDA will suspend SNAP benefits starting November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. Approximately 42 million Americans currently receive monthly SNAP benefits. A coalition of 26 states and territories is suing the federal government over the suspension.