Overview
- November SNAP payments remain on hold for Illinois despite two federal court orders directing the administration to release funds.
- Roughly 2 million residents rely on SNAP in Illinois, with officials noting that any remaining balances from prior months can still be used.
- Chicago-area restaurants are offering free or discounted meals with defined hours and limits, including programs at Manny’s, CheSa’s, Kale My Name, October Cafe, Paulie Gee’s, Penelope’s, The StopAlong, Soul Food Lounge and Wooden Paddle.
- Some offers are targeted or capped, such as one-meal limits, checks of SNAP cards or ID, and time windows that in several cases run only through mid-November.
- Additional help includes GoPuff discounts and free delivery for SNAP-eligible items, plus ‘Find Food’ tools from the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank and IDHS updates and text alerts.