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Read. Follow. Verify.Illinois establishes tax credits and enterprise zone benefits for pharmacies and grocery stores in food and pharmacy deserts
Last action · October 27, 2026: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Will GuzzardiSponsor: Will Guzzardi
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What This Bill Would Do
The bill creates the EDGE Essentials for Pharmacies and Grocery Stores Act, establishing an income tax credit for eligible independent pharmacies and grocery stores locating or expanding in designated food or s. Participating businesses can apply the credit against state income taxes or payroll withholding taxes starting in tax year 2028, and qualify for benefits without a separate application. Additionally, the measure expands the Grocery Initiative Act to allow equipment upgrade grants for local government-owned grocery stores, including reimbursement for SNAP and WIC point-of-sale systems.
Independent grocers and pharmacies meeting investment thresholds receive state tax credits worth up to 100% of new employee payroll withholdings and potential bonuses for retained employees, while local government-operated stores gain access to equipment and SNAP/WIC grants.
- Food deserts and pharmacy deserts in urban and rural areas of Illinois present barriers to health and nutrition access for low-income residents. context
- The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers multiple state economic development programs and tax credit initiatives in Illinois. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Independently owned grocery stores
Eligible independent grocers meeting investment and desert criteria become eligible for tax credits and High Impact Business benefits.
Independently owned pharmacies
Eligible independent pharmacies locating in pharmacy deserts may receive tax credits based on employee payroll withholding.
Local governmental units
Local governments that own and operate grocery stores become eligible for equipment upgrade grants and SNAP/WIC system reimbursements.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can taxpayers begin claiming the tax credits?
Do local government-operated grocery stores receive any assistance under this bill?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
1 action- Oct 27, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Will Guzzardi
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Streamlining High Impact Business Status
The bill bypasses standard High Impact Business application requirements for businesses holding agreements under the EDGE Essentials for Pharmacies and Grocery Stores Act.
Connected Entities
Sources
ftp.ilga.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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