State Sen. Daniel Biss arrived in Springfield in 2011 with an academic background in mathematics and a progressive bent. He plans to run for state comptroller and has studied pension reform, the state budget and leveraging social and environmental spending for economic development.

Two of his bills, if they become law, will have a measurable impact on the Peoria area economy and will increase access to federal food assistance.

Biss, D-Skokie, recently found that by increasing the state income eligibility requirement for food stamps, Illinois would qualify for about $60 million more in federal reimbursement with no negative impact on the state budget.

The additional $60 million would be available if the state increases the amount of income a family can earn and still enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps.

Currently, states have the freedom to increase the maximum amount families can earn and still qualify for food stamps. Federal guidelines establish eligibility based on an income of 130 percent of the poverty line. For a family of three, the poverty line is $1,650 a month or $19,800 a year, and 130 percent of that would be $2,144 a month or $25,700 a year.

Biss is calling for eligibility to increase to 165 percent of the poverty line or $2,722 a month.

Not only does this legislation provide food assistance to more struggling families, it also stimulates the economy. Mark Zandi of Moody’s Economy calculates that every $1 in food stamp assistance has an economic impact of $1.73. That makes government spending on food stamps among the most beneficial spending for economic stimulus. Using that multiplier, an additional $60 million in food stamps would mean a $103.8 million economic stimulus.

About 43,000 people in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties receive food stamps, bringing nearly $6 million a month into the area economy.

Biss’ legislation also calls for an increase in eligibility to 200 percent of the poverty line for households with elderly, blind or disabled people.

“If more people become eligible for this fully federally funded program, it’s an important benefit for struggling families and is also fiscally beneficial for Illinois,” Biss said.

The legislation is now awaiting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature.

“Hopefully, he understands the importance and signs it,” Biss said.

Retailers have often felt burdened by administration of the SNAP program because all benefits are distributed at one time each month. Biss would like the Illinois Department of Human Services to randomize distribution of the benefit throughout the month to even out purchasing.

Another bill Biss has written calls for establishment of special service districts for green technology. Municipalities could issue bonds to pay for green technologies and increase property taxes within the special service district to repay the bonds. However, the savings from green technology would be greater than the increase in property taxes resulting in a financial advantage.

Green infrastructure includes solar, wind and geothermal energy, however, it could also cover permeable pavers, Biss said.

The option is not available to single home owners but could be available to a neighborhood association. It would also be available for commercial, industrial and multi-family residential units.

Biss earned his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a mathematics professor at University of Chicago before becoming a state legislator. He supports carbon emission limits and is pro-choice. His key issues are environmental policy, economic growth, political reform, consumer protection, technology policy and retirement security.