Nichols-Supported Bill Allowing Schools to Distribute Unused Food Signed into Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to create a positive learning environment for students, state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, helped pass legislation allowing public schools to give unused food to their students who are in need.

“It is ridiculous that schools are forced to throw away good food while their students go hungry,” said Nichols. “It is unreasonable to expect children who are hungry throughout the day to be able to learn as well as they can. Not only will this legislation fight against child hunger, it will also further our schools’ goals of improving the ability of our children to learn.”

According to Feeding America, nearly one in eight Illinois children are facing hunger. To help get food to the kids that need it, Nichols voted for Senate Bill 805, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The law creates the School Unused Food Program, which gives food unused by the school to students at no cost.

“As an educator, I know how important it is to ensure that students are receiving every possible resource they need in order to help them succeed,” Nichols said. “Thanks to this legislation, many Illinois students will be healthier and have more of a capacity to learn for generations to come by simply not wasting our existing resources.”