SNAP benefits will lapse on Saturday amid the ongoing government shutdown. Gov. JB Pritzker ordered $20 million for food banks to help, as food pantries are already seeing increasing demand.

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.

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.

Raoul joins SNAP benefits lawsuit Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general and governors in filing a lawsuit against the U. S.

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.

The continuing federal government shutdown is about to hit hard for those who depend on SNAP, the benefits formerly known as food stamps. Unless the federal government shutdown is ended, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will end Nov.