It’s impossible to survive on $8.75 per hour, says Latasha Anderson, 31, an employee of Macy’s on Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. She
was one of three retail associates from her store to participate
yesterday in a citywide fast food and retail workers’ strike that prompted hundreds of employees to walk off the job.
A federal grant could double the number of Illinois farmers markets that accept electronic payments, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced Tuesday.
During
a conference call, Simon said 41 Illinois farmers markets will each
receive $1,200 from the Illinois Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
Wireless Project. The money comes from a $4 million initiative by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at farmers markets.
A $182,000 federal grant from the United States Department of
Agriculture could provide up to 150 Illinois farmers’ markets with free
wireless machines that accept debit, credit and Link cards.
The
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Wireless Project is aiming to expand
access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Illinois’ low-income
residents. Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon
originally announced the plan, and Simon’s spokeswoman Kathryn Phillips
told Progress Illinois that farmers markets must apply for the grant by
July 9 (go here to apply). Illinois’ wireless EBT project is part of a $4 million nationwide effort by the United States Department of Agriculture to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at farmers’ markets.
A federal grant could double the number of Illinois farmers markets that accept electronic payments, 
A $182,000 federal grant from the United States Department of
Agriculture could provide up to 150 Illinois farmers’ markets with free
wireless machines that accept debit, credit and Link cards.