HB2531

Illinois HB2531 amends the Grocery Initiative Act to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts.

Illinois HB2531 amends the Grocery Initiative Act by expanding the definition of "grocery store" to include certain meat, fruit and vegetable, and fish and seafood retailers. The bill also allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide grants and loans to independently owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, not-for-profit grocery stores, and farmer-owned grocery stores or markets. The Department may prioritize grant awards and loan funding based on poverty rates, income, geographic diversity, local ownership, and access to grocery stores.