Illinois Statutes Chapter 105. Schools § 5/2-3.204. Statewide master contract for prepackaged meals

(a) Throughout the State, students depend on schools to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free school lunches each day. The General Assembly intends for school districts to provide lunch options that satisfy religious dietary requirements to the extent practicable.

(b) In this Section, “religious dietary food option” means meals that meet specific foods and food preparation techniques that satisfy religious dietary requirements.

(c) This Section is subject to appropriation, including funding for any administrative costs reasonably incurred by the State Board of Education in the administration of this Section.

(d) Upon the execution of one or more statewide master contracts entered into under subsection (g) and annually thereafter, the State Board of Education shall notify school districts of any prepackaged meal options, including, but not limited to, halal and kosher food options, available for purchase under a statewide master contract for the upcoming school year. A school district shall adopt procedures regarding ordering, preparing, and serving prepackaged meal options offered under a statewide master contract.

A school district may not be charged more than the federal free rate of reimbursement for any meal offered under a statewide master contract. Any meal offered under a statewide master contract shall be eligible for and cost no more than the federal free rate of reimbursement.

(e) All meal options available under a statewide master contract under subsection (g) must meet the federal nutritional standards set under the federal Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Any meal offered under a statewide master contract under subsection (g) may not require a school district to purchase any special or additional kitchen preparation equipment or storage equipment and may not require either any specialized staff, other than those staff members who are currently available in a school, or any special certifications.

(f) Any vendor offering halal food products to a school district under a statewide master contract under subsection (g) shall certify that the food or food product is halal and that the vendor is in compliance with the Halal Food Act. Any vendor offering kosher food products to a school district under a statewide master contract under subsection (g) shall certify that the food or food product is kosher and that the vendor is in compliance with the Kosher Food Act. A school district and the State Board of Education may rely upon these certifications.

(g) The State Board of Education shall enter into one or more statewide master contracts with a vendor or vendors for prepackaged meals that meet the requirements of this Section for the purpose of providing options to school districts statewide to purchase religious dietary food options under this Section. The State Board of Education may enter into as many contracts as needed in order to provide access for school districts statewide.

Each statewide master contract must include packaged meal delivery directly to any requesting school in this State at a uniform delivery cost, regardless of the school's location.

The State Board of Education shall notify all school districts of the award of a statewide master contract as required in subsection (c) of Section 10-20.21 of this Code. No later than 60 days after receiving notice, a school district may purchase prepackaged meals from the contracted vendor.