Gov. Pritzker awards over $10M in IL grocery initiative grants

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor JB Pritzker announced some awards to assist with Illinois grocery stores, however, the closest town to the Tri-State that will currently benefit from this initiative is Marion, Illinois.

Governor JB Pritzker says he joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and “local leaders” to announce awards through the Illinois Grocery Initiative “New Stores in Food Deserts Program” and “Equipment Upgrades Grant Program” to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois. Officials note grantees were selected through competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) processes.

“When I signed the Illinois Grocery Initiative into law the vision we had in mind was reducing costs, fighting food insecurity, and boosting the local economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This $10 million investment will go directly toward construction and renovation of quality, affordable grocery options in neighborhoods across the state. From Champaign to Marion to Venice, we’re fighting food insecurity while investing directly into the lifeblood of our economy, supporting farmers, small businesses, and working families.”

New stores in food deserts program

Officials say the “New Stores in Food Deserts Program” awards will support the establishment of new grocery stores in food deserts as defined by the Illinois Grocery Initiative Act. This funding will support construction and renovation costs for new stores, as well as many first-year operations costs, such as employee wages, utility costs and initial inventory of food. 

AL RAAWI LLC of Marion, Illinois, received $2,399,975 for a new construction project.

“At Economic Security Illinois, we believe that families and communities should have the resources they need to live fulfilling lives, from access to banks, to good schools, to affordable food in grocery stores,” said Erion Malasi, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Economic Security Illinois. “When major life staples are lacking in the market, we want to harness the power of community and government to come together and provide a public option. We are proud to have funded the feasibility study for this effort, and proud to see funds for a new municipal-owned grocery store come to Venice. We’re grateful to Governor Pritzker, Deputy Governor Andy Manar, and leaders in the General Assembly for advancing this critical effort.”

Officials say after providing approximately $6.9 million through Round I of the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores Grants, DCEO opened Round II in October of 2024. Applicants were selected based on various requirements including: ​ 

• Must be located in a food desert
• Must earn less than 30% of revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales
• Must accept SNAP and WIC
• Must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in community

Equipment Upgrades Grant Program 

Governor JB Pritzker’s office says the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program awards will support energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing grocery stores, with priority given to those located in food insecure communities across the state. This program is designed to strengthen existing grocery stores and preserve access to fresh food in food insecure communities, in an effort to stop the formation of new food deserts. 

Willjo, Inc. ​of Marion, Illinois, received $132,234 for the complete replacement of walk-in freezer, HVAC system.

State officials say after providing $1 million through Round I of the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program, DCEO opened Round II in January of 2025. This is a rolling grant opportunity which will remain open until December 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. ​Applicant qualifications include independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations.