To: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General, USDA Office of Inspector General, Illinois General Assembly, and other appropriate oversight authorities

We are calling for an independent investigation into allegations of SNAP/LINK benefit theft, unauthorized transactions, trafficking, and failures to adequately protect Illinois SNAP recipients.

SNAP benefits belong to the eligible households receiving them. When benefits disappear through unauthorized transactions, families can lose money they were depending on to buy food.

We are asking state and federal authorities to investigate whether there are systemic problems involving the security, administration, or oversight of SNAP/LINK benefits in Illinois.

WE ARE ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO:

Unauthorized SNAP/LINK transactions occurring without recipients’ permission.
SNAP benefits being stolen, transferred, sold, or trafficked.
Suspicious transactions occurring at retailers, including major retailers such as Walmart and other stores.
Potential unauthorized access to SNAP recipient accounts or transaction information.
Whether any government employee, contractor, retailer employee, or other individual has improperly accessed or misused SNAP information or benefits.
Complaints from recipients whose stolen benefits were not adequately investigated or resolved.
Whether existing EBT security measures are sufficient to protect recipients.
Whether patterns of suspicious transactions can be identified through an independent review of EBT transaction data.
WE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT

We are asking authorities to:

1. Conduct an independent investigation into credible allegations of SNAP/LINK benefit theft and trafficking.

2. Audit suspicious EBT transactions to identify patterns, locations, retailers, accounts, and other information that may assist investigators.

3. Investigate complaints from SNAP recipients and examine how those complaints were handled.

4. Determine whether government personnel, contractors, retailers, or other individuals participated in or facilitated improper activity.

5. Review system security to determine how unauthorized individuals may have obtained access to SNAP accounts or benefits.

6. Preserve relevant evidence, including transaction records, account-access records, complaint records, and other information necessary for investigators.

7. Ensure victims receive any replacement benefits or reimbursement for which they qualify under applicable federal or Illinois rules.

8. Take appropriate administrative or criminal action when wrongdoing is established.

9. Provide appropriate public information about the investigation and corrective actions, while protecting confidential information belonging to SNAP recipients.

FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED BENEFIT THEFT

If your SNAP/LINK benefits were used without your authorization, keep documentation of:

Date and time of the transaction
Amount taken
Store or retailer
Transaction history
Screenshots
Receipts
Case or complaint numbers
Communications with IDHS or other agencies
Any other evidence related to the incident
Individuals should submit evidence through appropriate official reporting channels rather than publicly posting private account information.

WHY WE ARE PETITIONING

SNAP is a public assistance program designed to help eligible households purchase food.

When benefits are stolen, the impact can be immediate. Families may be unable to purchase groceries until the matter is resolved.

We are not declaring any individual, retailer, employee, or government agency guilty without evidence. We are demanding that credible allegations be investigated independently and that the facts be established.

OUR REQUEST

We respectfully ask Illinois and federal authorities to investigate these allegations, identify weaknesses that allow SNAP/LINK benefits to be stolen or misused, protect recipients from further losses, and hold responsible parties accountable when wrongdoing is proven.

SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND STRONGER PROTECTION FOR ILLINOIS SNAP/LINK RECIPIENTS.

Name: ______________________________

City: _______________________________

State: ______________________________

Signature: ___________________________

Date: _______________________________