Yesterday, we flagged new research estimating that 305,000 Illinoisans were spared from poverty this year thanks to the federal stimulus' investment in the social safety (unemployment benefits, food stamps, etc.). As we've pointed out before, food stamps can play a crucial role in providing economic stimulus. Not only do the enhanced benefits help put food on the table for millions of struggling families, they also provide a much-needed boost to local businesses and the overall economy. But is Illinois doing all it can to ensure we reap the full benefits of the program?

Perhaps not, according to the Washington D.C.-based Food Research and Action Center (FARC).  While food stamp enrollment grew in Cook County by 31 percent between 2005 and last year -- from 592,295 to 778,323 --  the anti-hunger policy group reports (PDF) major gaps in enrollment in the region. At least 141,843 eligible households failed to enroll in the program as of 2007 (the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture data available). By not getting those people signed up, Illinois left an estimated $85 million in federal food stamp money on the table that year.

"We can do better," Illinois Hunger Coalition's Diane Doherty tells us.  But that's going to require some leadership at the state level and a commitment to boost -- not cut -- human services outreach. Doherty explains via email:

Maybe if the members of the General Assembly can see that any reduction in DHS staff and services will also mean a reduction in the amount of federal money that is transformed into $1.83 in the local economy for every $1 in federal food stamp money ...

[W]e cannot afford to lose any of the gains we have made which will be inevitable if we downsize DHS offices or take them out of neighborhoods with high poverty rates.

As far as we know, the Quinn administration's troubling plan to "consolidate" 17 human service offices still remains on the table. Before making any future decisions on this front, Quinn and lawmakers ought to thumb through FRAC's report.