Carroll-Supported Law To Provide Lifesaving Support to Homeless, Food Pantries, Now in Effect

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Under a new law supported by state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, that recently went into effect, poor and homeless people in Illinois will have increased access to critical aid from food pantries.

“We are constantly working to help the less fortunate in our community, and one of the most critical needs we have to address is a shortage of food. This law will help accomplish that,” Carroll said. “Parents struggling to put food on the table every day, kids who can only eat free or reduced-price school lunches, the homeless; nutrition assistance can be lifesaving for these people. Food pantries need as much funding as we can get them.”

Carroll backed Senate Bill 640, a law that authorizes townships to help fund existing food pantry programs and administer new food pantries if necessary. The organization Feeding America reported in 2019 that almost 1.4 million people in Illinois are currently struggling with hunger, and 450,000 of them are children. This law, now in effect, will help provide critical funding to food programs that lower those numbers.

“We need to create a better education system, provide job training, and more employment opportunities for people in this state, those are priorities for me. But it is impossible to focus on personal growth if you’re wondering where your next meal is coming from,” Carroll said. “We are building a stronger future for Illinois, and no one deserves to get left behind. I will keep working to improve services like food pantries for the sake of everyone struggling with hunger.”