Ill. gets bonus for efficient food stamp program

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois has gotten a $3.4 million bonus for running one of the nation's most efficient food stamp programs.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says the Illinois Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program has a 98.3 percent accuracy rate. That's fourth in the nation. The program also has the third-most improved rate.

There were 862,243 Illinois families in the program in May. The average monthly benefit is $288 a month.

The Department of Human Services says state employees oversee caseloads of between 700 and 2,500 each.