The Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking millions of extra dollars from state taxpayers due to federal policy changes.
Illinois DHS Secretary Dulce Quintero said federal changes require additional state investments to address SNAP and Medicaid.
State Rep. Bill Hauter questioned Quintero when she said the department would need $40 million to hire 450 new caseworkers.
Human Services Assistant Secretary of Programs John Schomberg said the caseworkers could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars.
Schomberg said the savings could come in the form of both direct federal benefits and also in helping the state reduce its SNAP error rate.
Quintero said her fiscal year 2027 budget request reflects a 5.9% increase over projected spending in 2026.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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