IllinoisHB1607104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

ELIMINATE FOOD DESERTS

Sponsored By: Sonya M. Harper (Democratic)

Became Law

agriculture & conservationassignmentspublic health

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Task Force to end food deserts

The law creates the Task Force on Eliminating Food Deserts in the Illinois Department of Public Health. It reviews state efforts and advises lawmakers on policy, funding, and best practices. The chair calls meetings, and the group meets as often as needed. The Department of Public Health provides staff and other support. Members are unpaid but can get necessary expenses reimbursed from approved funds. The law defines a “food desert” using the USDA’s 2012 definition.

Who serves on the Task Force

The Director of Public Health, or a designee, chairs the Task Force. Members include leaders or designees from Human Services, Aging, and Agriculture, a University of Illinois Extension representative, and four legislators chosen by legislative leaders. The Governor appoints county representatives by size (1,000,000+; 500,000 to under 1,000,000; and under 500,000), an agriculture member, a food retailer representative, a retailers representative, eight residents of food deserts, four nonprofit representatives from food deserts, and one labor representative. The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is a nonvoting advisory member.

Report due 2028, task force ends

The Task Force must deliver a report to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2028. The report lists how many food deserts exist, addresses the group’s purposes, and gives advice and recommendations. After filing the report, the chair must file a dissolution notice with the Secretary of State’s Index Department and notify the House Clerk, Senate Secretary, and the Legislative Reference Bureau the same day. After that filing and notices, the law is repealed and the Task Force is dissolved.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Sonya M. Harper
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Camille Y. Lilly
Democratic • House
Carol Ammons
Democratic • House
David Koehler
Democratic • Senate
Debbie Meyers-Martin
Democratic • House
Edgar González, Jr.
Democratic • House
Emanuel "Chris" Welch
Democratic • House
Graciela Guzmán
Democratic • Senate
Gregg Johnson
Democratic • House
Joyce Mason
Democratic • House
Justin Slaughter
Democratic • House
Kevin John Olickal
Democratic • House
Kevin Schmidt
Republican • House
La Shawn K. Ford
Democratic • House
Lilian Jiménez
Democratic • House
Lisa Davis
Democratic • House
Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
Democratic • House
Mattie Hunter
Democratic • Senate
Maurice A. West, II
Democratic • House
Michael Crawford
Democratic • House
Mike Porfirio
Democratic • Senate
Nicholas K. Smith
Democratic • House
Nicolle Grasse
Democratic • House
Norma Hernandez
Democratic • House
Rachel Ventura
Democratic • Senate
Sharon Chung
Democratic • House
Yolonda Morris
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 287 • No: 28

House vote • 10/28/2025

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs

Yes: 93 • No: 19

House vote • 10/16/2025

Approved for Consideration Rules Committee;

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 10/16/2025

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee;

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/1/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 55 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/7/2025

Do Pass as Amended Public Health;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 95 • No: 9

House vote • 3/25/2025

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2025

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2025

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee;