Federal Grant Award Summary

The Illinois Department of Human Services received a Formula Grant award of $177.15 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service under the WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (CFDA 10.557). This award, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, funds WIC food expenses for income-eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five who are determined to be at nutritional risk. The grant supports the delivery of supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and social services across the state of Illinois.

As the state administering agency, IDHS distributes WIC formula grant allocations to local agencies and sub-recipients throughout Illinois for program operations. Sub-grantees such as Catholic Charities of Chicago operate WIC service delivery components within their service areas. This award represents one component of IDHS's broader WIC portfolio, which exceeds $146.2 million in combined food expense and administrative funding. Formula grants for the WIC program are awarded to state agencies according to statutory funding formulas established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, with state agencies serving as the distribution mechanism to local agencies supporting program implementation.