305 ILCS 43. Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act.

    (305 ILCS 43/1)
    Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-1088, eff. 7-19-10.)

    (305 ILCS 43/5)
    Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
    "Farmers' market" means a nontraditional fresh food market, licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits, where farmers or growers sell a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and other locally-grown farm products directly to consumers.
    "LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits or cash.
(Source: P.A. 96-1088, eff. 7-19-10.)

    (305 ILCS 43/10)
    Sec. 10. Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program.
    (a) The Department of Human Services and the Department of Agriculture shall implement a Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program. The purpose of this program is to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other LINK eligible food products, including quality meat and dairy, for all Illinois residents by allowing LINK program participants to redeem their SNAP benefits at farmers' markets. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Agriculture shall solicit federal and State funding for the purpose of implementing this program.
    (b) The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury for the purpose of implementing the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program. All monies received pursuant to this Act shall be deposited into the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund. Funding for the program must be used for one or more of the following purposes:
        (1) The purchase or rental of wireless point of sale

terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits disbursed under the LINK program.

        (2) Monthly or transaction fees associated with LINK

card transactions. No fees related to credit or debit transactions will be reimbursed.

        (3) Outreach to LINK program participants.
(Source: P.A. 96-1088, eff. 7-19-10.)

    (305 ILCS 43/15)
    Sec. 15. Implementation of regulations. The Department of Human Services shall adopt necessary rules and shall implement the program by March 31, 2011.
(Source: P.A. 96-1088, eff. 7-19-10.)

    (305 ILCS 43/20)
    Sec. 20. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 96-1088, eff. 7-19-10; text omitted.)

    (305 ILCS 43/99)
    Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2010.
(Source: P.A. 96-1088, eff. 7-19-10.)