Illinois mandates halal, kosher meals in public institutions

Illinois has mandated public schools to provide halal and kosher meal options upon request. 

In a state first, Illinois governor JB Pritzker signed the Senate Bill 457, also known as the “Faith by Plate Act,” into law.

Illinois becomes the first US state to require public schools, hospitals, and other state-operated facilities to provide halal and kosher meal options upon request, according to information shared by the Muslim Civic Coalition and state senator Villivalam's office.

The law gives these institutions 12 months to establish the necessary infrastructure, with implementation costs - subject to appropriation - estimated at $10-$20 million in the first year.

Food service workers will be trained to address cross-contamination concerns and ensure compliance with Islamic and Jewish dietary guidelines.

The new mandate builds on a pilot program in Chicago Public Schools, where 14 schools already offer kosher meals, and nine provide halal options.

Officials say the legislation will help expand these services to rural districts and other parts of the state that have similar needs.

The growing clout of Muslim consumers across the country has prompted authorities to issue several directives to maintain the integrity and promote the availability of halal food. The state of Washington put into effect a bill to safeguard the integrity of halal food last June.

The Wilson bill protects Muslim consumers from purchasing food falsely advertised as halal, with violations punishable under the new Halal Food Consumer Protection Act.