Federal tariffs are about to raise prices on everyday foods across Illinois — and the hardest-hit communities will be those that already struggle to access affordable groceries.

More than 500,000 Illinois residents live in areas known as food deserts, where there is little or no access to full-service grocery stores. For these families, even a small increase in prices on staples like produce, grains, or canned goods can mean skipped meals or impossible choices between food, rent, and medicine.

Governor Pritzker has taken steps to assess the damage from the new tariffs, but the time for analysis is limited. Families in food deserts need help now. We’re calling on the Illinois General Assembly to create an Emergency Grocery Access Fund that supports direct relief, strengthens neighborhood food programs, and helps food banks meet rising demand.

Illinois cannot control federal trade policy, but it can act to protect the people who are most vulnerable to its impact. If lawmakers move quickly, they can help stabilize prices, improve access, and prevent a spike in hunger across already underserved communities.

Sign this petition to demand that Illinois leaders take urgent action to protect families in food deserts from tariff-driven food price increases.