Illinois WIC Program

Illinois WIC is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), which funds a statewide network of local WIC agencies — mostly county health departments — to run clinics and serve families in all 102 counties. Chicago and Cook County have the densest network of clinics, while downstate Illinois relies on a smaller number of county health department sites spread across a larger area.

Who WIC Serves in Illinois

WIC is open to pregnant women, women who were pregnant within the last six months, breastfeeding women up to a year postpartum, non-breastfeeding postpartum women up to six months after delivery, infants, and children up to their 5th birthday. Dads, foster parents, grandparents, and other caretakers can apply on behalf of an eligible child — the child does not need to live with their mother. To qualify, a household needs to meet WIC's income guidelines and have a nutrition-related risk, such as anemia, being underweight, or a new pregnancy, which WIC staff can help identify at your appointment. Illinois WIC does not ask about citizenship or immigration status.

What Your Benefits Include

Approved participants receive monthly food benefits on an Illinois WIC EBT card, redeemable at authorized grocery stores statewide for items like milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains, cereal, juice, peanut butter, legumes, canned fish, and infant formula, plus a monthly Cash Value Benefit for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables. Illinois also participates in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), a seasonal add-on that provides extra vouchers for participating farmers' markets during the summer and fall growing season. Beyond food, WIC connects families to breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to programs like Medicaid and SNAP.

How WIC Works in Illinois

Because Illinois delivers WIC through local agencies rather than a single statewide office, the fastest way to get started is to find and contact the clinic nearest you using the DHS Office Locator. A staff member will schedule your intake appointment and explain what documents to bring. Most Illinois WIC participants attend about four appointments a year — an initial certification, two nutrition education visits, and a mid-certification check — and some interim appointments, including nutrition education, can be completed by phone or virtually. Initial certification and annual recertification for children require an in-person visit.

Staying Enrolled

Recertification timing depends on your category: pregnant participants are certified through delivery, breastfeeding participants for up to a year postpartum, non-breastfeeding postpartum participants for six months, and children annually with a required in-person health screening. Your local WIC clinic will notify you before your certification period ends — it's worth scheduling your recertification appointment early, especially at busier clinics in the Chicago area.