South Cook News

Illinois State Rep. Nicole La Ha Zwiercan announced the passage of her bill to protect Meals on Wheels services, stating, "by providing this sales tax exemption, we are ensuring that these crucial services remain affordable and accessible to those who need them most." She made this statement in a June 27 Facebook post.

"This legislation will make a significant difference in the lives of so many individuals who rely on programs like Meals on Wheels for nutritious meals," said La Ha Zwiercan, State Representative for 82nd District (R), according to Facebook. "By providing this sales tax exemption, we are ensuring that these crucial services remain affordable and accessible to those who need them most."

According to the Illinois General Assembly website for the bill, Senate Bill 3476 ensures that "home-delivered meals provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients when payment is made by an intermediary pursuant to a government contract are exempt from taxation under the Act." The webpage notes that the bill goes into effect immediately. The bill was first filed by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr., on February 8, passed the Senate on April 12, and passed the House on May 23 before being sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature on June 21.

Screenshot of Rep. Nicole La Ha's June 27 Facebook post. | Rep. Nicole La Ha's Facebook page

The DeKalb Times reported that the legislation has been supported by various advocacy groups and state departments, including the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and the Illinois State Bar Association. "These meals were intended to be tax-exempt; however, due to federal contracting with third-party intermediaries to administer portions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, providers of home-delivered meals to these recipients have been incurring sales tax liabilities," wrote the DeKalb Times in a June 13 report.

Meals on Wheels Chicago is one of several Meals on Wheels organizations serving Illinois residents. Established in 1987, it provides meal delivery services to eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities and operates a food pantry for seniors, according to its website.

La Ha was recently appointed to fill the vacancy in the 82nd State House District following John Egofske's resignation. The former Mrs. America previously served as press secretary for Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) and has an extensive background in public advocacy. Her notable achievements include receiving the 2018 International Humanitarian Award for exceptional community service. La Ha’s campaign website highlights her commitment to community service, emphasizing her election to the Village of Homer Glen Board of Trustees in 2021. Throughout her term, she opposed tax increases and played a pivotal role in enhancing life quality for residents with disabilities.