VENICE, Ill. (First Alert 4) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is making two key stops in the Metro East today — each focused on improving access to basic needs many families still struggle to meet: food and housing.

His first stop will be at Venice Recreation Hall – 321 Broadway at 10am where the state is investing $2.4 million to build a brand-new grocery store. The project aims to tackle food insecurity in Madison County — where many neighborhoods have long been considered food deserts .

According to Feeding America, of the more than 33,000 people living in Madison County, more than 12% live in a food desert. Nearly half don’t qualify for federal assistance programs like SNAP, meaning access to affordable, fresh food is a daily challenge.

Governor Pritzker says today’s groundbreaki

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