SPRINGFIELD — As many communities in Illinois still grapple with limited access to quality, healthy food, State Senator Mattie Hunter sponsored a new law aimed at looking into the effectiveness of efforts to reduce food deserts.

“Our residents are already facing rising grocery costs, workforce shortages and a lack of affordable housing – living in a food desert only hurts our neighbors further,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we work to identify solutions that provide lasting solutions to food deserts in Illinois.”

In the 3rd District, neighborhoods including Englewood and Woodlawn are considered food deserts. In response to the lack of access to fresh food, Hunter spearheaded a law in 2022 that created the Healthy Food Development Program to provide financial assistance to grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets, and other small food retailers in order to help provide healthy food to communities.

Hunter’s new law, House Bill 1607, creates the Task Force on Eliminating Food Deserts within the Illinois Department of Public Health. The task force will review the effectiveness of current efforts to eliminate food deserts, advise the General Assembly on the best practices for eliminating food deserts and submit a report of their findings to the governor.

“This is a step in the right direction to ensure our communities have access to the nutritious food they need to live long, healthy lives,” said Hunter.

House Bill 1607 was signed into law Friday.