To boost food access in underserved areas of the state, Illinois leaders recently announced the recipients of $7.8 million in funds for new stores and equipment upgrades. Last week, Governor JB Pritzker, along with representatives of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), shared details about the stores and operators who will be able to build or renovate stores and get their business off the ground with assistance in wages, utilities and initial inventories.