By Doug Powers • July 21, 2013 03:49 PM

**Written by Doug Powers

What sequester?

From an Illinois Department of Human Services press release:

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler today announced that the state was awarded a $4.1 million bonus for its effective administration of the Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program (SNAP). Illinois was recognized for its accuracy rate of 98.3 percent, which ranked sixth in the nation in fiscal year 2012.

What amount of money did taxpayers lose due to ineffective administration?

Just more than 2 million people in the state, or 16 percent of the population, are enrolled in the federally managed SNAP. Washington D.C., sent Illinois $3 billion for SNAP last year. The numbers: 1.74 percent of $3 billion is $52 million. That’s a lot of taxpayer waste.

[…]

Dabrowksi said Illinois saw its food stamp population jump 11.5 percent last year.

In 2011, the Obama administration gave Oregon a $5 million bonus for its efficient and speedy expansion of the food stamp roles.

The national food stamp roles continue to skyrocket as well (click to enlarge):

That’s terrific economic stimulus, according to the Secretary of Agriculture.

Note: I made a correction in the title. The original version said $4.2 million. The correct number is $4.1 million.

**Written by Doug Powers

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