State lawmakers are taking a phased-in approach to free school meals for all.
Illinois House Bill 2365, sponsored by state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, seeks to appropriate $67 million to the Healthy School Meals for All Program established in 2023. Legislators and advocates discussed the initiative at a House Appropriations Elementary & Secondary Education Committee hearing.
West said he also filed a bill to spend $209 million, but, citing the state’s current budget challenges, said the reduced measure would provide meals for schools with at least 40% of their students from low-income families…