Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Department of Human Service to provide the Illinois General Assembly with an estimate of the cost of replacing food stamps cards with photo identification food stamps cards.

Highlights:

• Requires the Secretary of Human Services to seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to include a photo of a SNAP recipient on their LINK card (Sec. 5).

• Defines "LINK card" as an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling the cardholder to obtain SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) or cash (Sec. 5).

• Defines "SNAP" as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that within 6 months after the effectives date, the Department shall provide the Illinois General Assembly with a good faith estimate of the cost of (Sec. 5):

• Replacing every still-valid LINK card with a card that contains on its face a photo of the cardholder;

• "Phasing-in" new photo identification cards; and

• Implementing photo identification cards through new request for proposals once the contract with the current LINK card vendor expires.

Full Bill Text