IL lawmakers propose modernized SNAP benefits card to prevent fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Senate Democrats hope to tackle SNAP benefit fraud by requiring the state to use smart chip cards instead of traditional EBT cards.

Sponsors told reporters Wednesday that most SNAP fraud in Illinois comes from people skimming magnetic strip EBT cards.

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) said California saw food and cash benefits fraud drop by 83% after the state transitioned to smart chip EBT cards.

Simmons explained Illinois' contract with Fidelity Information Services expires in June, and he believes it is past time to modernize.

"An approximation of the cost to upgrade our system is $50 million," Simmons said. "Upon renewal, the new contract needs to include the transition to smart card chips. We know that the technology can start as soon as the summer of 2027."

Senate Democrats hope for strong bipartisan support for the measure. Simmons and Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) said this change could help avoid nearly 90,000 fraudulent transactions involving SNAP benefits.

"It's going to cost the state less money in the long-run," Hunter said. "In the long run, it will pay for itself. We'll save more money because there's no loss from the vendor nor the recipient."

Senate Bill 3372 and Senate Bill 3266 are both assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. The deadline to pass bills out of Senate committees is March 13.