SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter and State Senator Mike Simmons held a press conference Wednesday to advocate for increased safeguards for SNAP benefits.

“By changing from a swipe to a tap, we are ensuring fraudulent transactions from skimmers are less likely to happen and that benefits are protected,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This is one action that can lead to big savings and less fraud in Illinois social services.”

At the press conference, Hunter and Simmons outlined Senate Bill 3266, which would require the Illinois Department of Human Services to implement the use of chip-enabled cards for electronic benefit systems. In 2024, over 89,000 fraudulent transactions involving SNAP benefits were reported to IDHS. By making this change, the measure would allow SNAP participants using EBT cards to use chip readers in their transactions.

The proposal aims to safeguard the benefits on those cards, directly reducing fraud.

“We are pushing for legislation that impacts residents struggling the most right now,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “With the pressures from the Trump administration impacting our social services and programs, Illinois needs to take action to protect these programs from fraud.”

Senate Bill 3266 awaits a hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

###