Food pantries expect rise in demand with SNAP work requirements on May 1
Food pantries in the Chicago area are racing to prepare for an expected increase in demand as changes to food stamps are set to have a major impact on May 1.
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Food pantries in the Chicago area are racing to prepare for an expected increase in demand as changes to food stamps are set to have a major impact on May 1.
Hundreds are expected to rally in Springfield, Illinois, in support of three bills that will protect the state's SNAP benefits from cuts and requirements imposed by President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."
Prosecutors said that from 2018 to 2023, 45-year-old David Quinones gave cash or other items to SNAP recipients in exchange for access to their Link cards.
Some are concerned the change could cause hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois to lose their benefits.
Some are concerned the new rules could cause hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois to lose their benefits. Victor Jacobo reports.
In three days, major changes are happening for people who rely on food stamps, and food pantries expect to see a surge in those needing food while food stamp recipients take the needed steps to meet the new program requirements.
Leaders from Cook County, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository denounced changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on Wednesday.
Indiana residents who rely on food stamps might be in for a surprise as the new year begins. Most candy and sugary drinks will no longer be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits starting Jan. 1.
The Trump administration wants Democratic-led states to hand over detailed personal information about SNAP recipients, including names and immigration status.
The federal government is warning states like Illinois that money could be turned off and affect millions of Americans unless they hand over detailed information about SNAP recipients.
All Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in Illinois should receive their full benefits for November on Thursday.
Mayor Johnson announced an order Saturday giving more resources to food pantries, nonprofits, and faith institutions to help feed SNAP recipients who were affected by the government shutdown.
Illinois officials said people who rely on food stamps will begin receiving their full SNAP benefits for November within the next week now that the federal government shutdown is over.
Forty-two days after it began, Congress is one step closer to ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but a lot of questions remain on when SNAP benefits and flights at the nation's busiest airports will get back to normal.
They, like millions of Illinoisans, were recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP. However, their benefits were put on hold after a legal back-and-forth between the Trump administration and the courts.
Food pantries across the Chicago area have continued to experience a surge in the number of people they're serving as the federal government shutdown continues.
Charlene Echoles said she and her husband work but now have to make up the difference by visiting pantries after their SNAP benefits were paused.
The Trump administration is now required to partially fund SNAP following a judge's ruling. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services said benefits will be half-funded this month.
The Trump administration on Monday said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be partially funded after judges' rulings required food aid program to continue.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told a federal court that it will tap into a contingency fund to allow states to issue partial SNAP benefits.
Manny's has been known for decades for feeding politicians and power players. But this week, the deli is feeding the families who need help the most during the government shutdown. Darius Johnson reports.
At 8 a.m., Manny’s Deli on Jefferson Street opened its doors to feed the first 300 people who showed up with a SNAP card. Darius Johnson reports.
Two federal judges last week ordered the Trump administration to keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits going, but for now, the benefits remain up in the air. Dan Raskin, fourth-generation owner of Manny’s Cafeteria & Deli, tells Darius Johnson why his restaurant is stepping up to help.
Manny’s Deli has been known for decades for feeding politicians and power players. But this week, the deli is feeding the families who need help the most. Darius Johnson reports on that and other efforts to help those in need, with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in limbo.
A deadline was looming Sunday for the Trump administration to tap into emergency funding for food assistance programs during the government shutdown.
A daughter saved her mother's life, and now they are working to support others impacted by liver disease.
A law enforcement excavation is underway at a home in South Elgin, Illinois, as police look the remains of a teenager who vanished in 2016.
One of the two teens charged with allegedly taking and concealing an Arlington Heights school resource officer's gun is expected in court on Thursday.
Burglars targeted a pub in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood early Thursday morning.
A visitation will be held on Thursday for fallen Chicago police officer John Bartholomew, who was fatally shot at Swedish Hospital.
Since his second term started, President Trump has introduced a flurry of initiatives aimed at taming the excesses of the pharmaceutical industry.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other mayors are asking Illinois lawmakers to increase the share of income tax revenue that goes to local governments.
President Trump had backed challengers to Indiana state senators who voted against his redistricting plan — and on Tuesday, most of them won.
Indiana voters are choosing nominees for the U.S. House under existing district boundaries during Tuesday's primary elections.
A Chicago alderwoman is trying to get a better idea of who is on electronic monitoring in Cook County and how they're being tracked. She also wants to know what efforts are being made to track down those with active arrest warrants.
Chatham residents say they're losing a vital resource as Walgreen's prepares to close its store near 86th and Cottage Grove.
According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Chicago was $5.17 on Friday, up from $3.75 a year ago.
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Company customers are likely to see minor credits on their bills for the next three years, thanks to a $125 million settlement agreement announced Thursday by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Chicago gas prices are spiking as the war with Iran drags on, with regular gas nearing $6 in some spots and premium already selling for more than $7 in some places.
In the legal venue of anti-trust enforcement, the state is not taking on the Trump administration, but rather filling a void that state officials say the Trump administration has vacated.
The largest U.S. health insurer said it will eliminate approval requirements for some treatments, including select outpatient surgeries and other procedures.
Thirty years ago, Advocate Children's Hospital created a specialized team to transport the smallest patients to get life-saving care. On the anniversary of the Neonatal Pediatric Transport Team, they unveiled some a new ambulance.
The second-largest physicians' group in the U.S. has issued a surprising switch in breast cancer screening recommendations.
A new $48 million wellness center opened Thursday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. The goal is to improve the health and quality of life for people on the West Side of Chicago.
La Rabida Children's Hospital went all out for Earth Day on Wednesday, with volunteer cleanup efforts by staffers and activities for patients and families.
U.S. prosecutors allege a man with multiple aliases used the name of the famed Astor family to scam a Mexican billionaire out of $450 million.
Thousands of people marched from the West Loop to Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago on Friday for May Day, with activists calling for workers' rights, stronger labor protections, and increased school funding.
A $170 million-plus plan announced this week will redevelop the Water Tower Place mall on the Magnificent Mile.
The Holiday Club in Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood will soon be going out of business, as the building that houses the popular bar is set to be torn down.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the Lincolnwood Village Board approved a pre-development agreement with the mall, providing a roadmap with the property owner for further preparations and government approvals for redevelopment.
David Allan Coe also had hits with "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" and "The Ride" among others.
Some youngsters got a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of making opera Sunday at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Matt DeCaro, an actor who was a familiar face on the Chicago stage for many years, died this weekend.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
Tickets for the 2026 Ravinia Festival season went on sale Thursday morning.
Consumer advocate groups Illinois PIRG and Citizens Utility Board said Peoples Gas' proposed $202 million rate hike is "bloated" and proposed cuts to what they called unwarranted costs Wednesday.
The first year of Pope Leo XIV's papacy is nearly over, and as he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his family and faithful are reflecting on his first twelve months of service.
A number of nuts mixes are being recalled because a third-party flavoring was made with milk powder previously recalled for possible salmonella contamination.
The effort to monitor the spread of hantavirus from a cruise ship currently off the west coast of Africa is expanding, including in the United States, after health officials confirmed the virus on the ship is the rare strain that is transmissible from human to human.
Missing fall? Check out the fall vibes all year round at October Cafe.
Kianna Galvin left her home on May 6, 2016, to go to a nearby park and hasn't been seen since.
A visitation will be held on Thursday for fallen Chicago police officer John Bartholomew, who was fatally shot at Swedish Hospital.
A daughter saved her mother's life, and now they are working to support others impacted by liver disease.
One of the two teens charged with allegedly taking and concealing an Arlington Heights school resource officer's gun is expected in court on Thursday.
Burglars targeted a pub in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood early Thursday morning.
A man from the Chicago suburbs lost $69,000 of his savings to a scam by a thief using an AI-generated U.S. Marshals badge to intimidate him.
Illinois lawmakers are trying to decide what should happen when artificial intelligence leads to serious destruction or even death, and two of the most influential AI companies in the world are backing opposing state bills trying to answer that question.
Rideshare drivers say it's getting difficult to continue working as gas prices surpass $6 in the city.
More than four months after a Chicago woman battling ALS was told she couldn't get a disabled parking placard in front of her home, the sign is up and her life is about to change.
An elderly woman has essentially abandoned her home of three decades because of constantly broken elevators at her high-rise condo building on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
In May 2019, Bridgett Kolls came to a Cubs game with a simple sign that read "this lil cubbie needs a kidney" and her phone number. It caught the attention of Allesio, who is a Chicago White Sox fan
The Cubs also won their 14th straight home game for their longest win streak at Wrigley Field since they also won 14 in a row at the iconic ballpark in 2008.
Travis d'Arnaud hit a three-run homer, Walbert Ureña threw six innings of two-hit ball, and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-2.
Boyd had an MRI that showed a meniscus issue, and manager Craig Counsell said the team isn't sure how long the left-hander is going to be out.
Lots of tickets remain available, but some fans say they are out of reach because of the high prices.
A man was killed on Tuesday night in a shooting less than a block from an elementary school in the West Englewood neighborhood.
A 17-year-old boy has died after police said he was stabbed by another teen over the weekend in southwest suburban Joliet.
Chicago police are investigating a burlgary targeting the video gambling machines at a liquor store in Lincoln Park early Tuesday morning.
Chief Geoff Guttschow, who has an autistic child who drives, says the Blue Envelope Program gives officers a tool to recognize when a driver may need additional communication support.
A woman has been charged with shooting a 15-year-old boy outside an indoor track facility near Gately Park in Chicago in 2024, after getting into a fight with another woman during a back-to-school event in the Pullman neighborhood.
