Illinois SNAP Error Rate Rises to 14.67%, Fifth Highest in the Nation
Illinois now has the fifth-highest error rate in the nation for improper payments to recipients of federal food subsidies, and Illinois politicians are yet again blaming the Trump administration.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Wednesday that the nation’s states and territories made a collective $10 billion in improper Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments during fiscal year 2025.
Illinois’ error rate of 14.67% is up from 11.56% last year and ranks fifth highest among states.
Starting Oct. 1, states with average error rates more than 6% will pay more for administrative costs, potentially costing Illinois taxpayers more than $800 million a year. […]
State Representative Mike Coffey said state agencies managing SNAP benefits need to be held accountable for lack of oversight.
“If Illinois doesn’t take action on fixing this error rate, it will cost taxpayers even more money,” said Coffey.” We need to know who is getting the money and who is taking advantage of the food assistance program. I hope Illinois leaders take this error rate seriously and demand accountability.”
JOBS/ECONOMY
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced last week that the unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent in May, unchanged from April, and up +0.7 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised April unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were down -2,300 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+18,800), Construction (+8,100) and Government (+4,300). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-17,900), Financial Activities (-11,800), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-6,200). In May, total nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged (0.0%) over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.3 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed persons in May was 336,300, down -0.3% from April, and up +15.3% over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.2% from April and down -0.8% over-the-year.
New Law Makes Driver’s License Renewals Easier for Many Seniors
(State Rep. Mike Coffey Voted Yes to Get This Legislation Passed in The House)
Starting July 1, Illinois drivers ages 79 to 86 will no longer have to take a behind-the-wheel driving test to renew their driver’s licenses. The change comes from the Road Safety & Fairness Act, which raises the age for required driving tests from 79 to 87.
The new law is based on evidence showing that Illinois seniors are among the safest drivers on the road, and this change removes an unnecessary requirement while still keeping safety measures in place.
Under the new rules:
- Drivers ages 79 to 80 must pass a vision test when renewing their license.
- Drivers ages 81 to 86 must renew their license every two years and pass a vision test.
- Drivers age 87 and older must renew their license every year and pass both a vision test and a behind-the-wheel driving test.
Before this change, Illinois was the only state that required some senior drivers to take a driving test every year to keep their licenses.
Cocktails-to-go, new state agency among laws taking effect July 1
July 1 marks a second New Year’s Day in Illinois as a new budget takes effect along with more than a dozen new state laws.
In addition to the state’s nearly $56 billion fiscal year 2027 budget being implemented and the 1-cent motor fuel tax increase being suspended for the remainder of the year, 14 news laws will go into effect on Wednesday.