Analyst says Illinois could fix SNAP error rate

(The Center Square) – Improper food subsidy payments may cost Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, but a risk solutions analyst says the state’s high Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program error rate can be fixed.

Illinois’ error rate for improper SNAP payments rose from 11.56% in 2024 to 14.67% last year, fifth highest in the nation.

Under provisions of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states with high error rates began paying more on October 1 of this year to administer SNAP.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker responded by saying the federal government’s goal was “basically” pushing people off the subsidies.

Haywood Talcove, CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions government business, said Pritzker should blame thieves instead of blaming the Trump administration.

“These transnational criminals are going into the system and they're stealing. They're stealing from those in need, and they're stealing from hardworking taxpayers that are funding these programs,” Talcove told The Center Square.

Talcove said Illinois has antiquated processes and technology, and the state’s error rate has been high for years.

“It's been a Trump phenomenon, and it's been a Biden phenomenon. And even before that, it was a little bit on the high side under Obama,” Talcove said.

Talcove said states should implement front-end identity verification and stop self-reported information.