Public Act 103-0561 - Grocery Initiative Act

• Establishes the Grocery Initiative to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts by providing grants and financial assistance to independently owned, cooperative, and not-for-profit grocery stores.

• Defines "food desert" based on poverty rates and distance to nearest grocery store, with different thresholds for rural (10+ miles) and urban (0.5+ miles) census tracts.

• Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall conduct a study of food insecurity in food deserts by December 31, 2024, including exploration of market failures, policy solutions, and disparity assessments for minority and women-owned businesses.

• Grants and loans may fund market studies, salaries, facility acquisition, equipment purchases, capital improvements, and marketing; equipment upgrades limited to 20% of total program funding with focus on energy-efficient equipment.

• Amends Illinois Enterprise Zone Act to designate existing or planned grocery stores receiving support under this Act as eligible High Impact Businesses for tax credits and exemptions.