Pharmacy Support Program Grant

Pharmacy Support Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Amount: US $25,000,000
Last Updated: November 05, 2025

Summary

The Pharmacy Support Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to enhance access to pharmacy services across Illinois. This initiative will provide grants to a statewide retail association representing pharmacies, particularly focusing on critical access care pharmacies and those serving underserved populations. The program emphasizes equitable economic opportunities and supports pharmacies facing challenges in areas with low population density and high poverty levels.

Overview

Note: Prior coordination or approval is required with DCEO prior to the submission of a formal application to the funding agency. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business. Pharmacy Support Program Short Description Subject to appropriation, the Department shall use moneys deposited into the Fund pursuant to Section 513b2 of the Illinois Insurance Code to make a grant to a statewide retail association representing pharmacies to promote access to pharmacies and pharmacist services. Objective Grant funds under this subsection shall be made available to the following beneficiaries: critical access care pharmacies as defined in Section 5-5.12b of the Illinois Public Aid Code; retail pharmacies with a physical location in Illinois owned by a person or entity with an ownership or control interest in fewer than 10 pharmacies; retail pharmacies with a physical location in a county in Illinois with fewer than 50,000 residents; retail pharmacies with a physical location in a county in Illinois with 50,000 or more residents and in an area within Illinois that is designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as either: (A) a Medically Underserved Area, including Governor's Exceptions; or (B) a Medically Underserved Population, including Governor's Exceptions; pharmacies whose claims constitute 65% or greater for Medicaid services and at least 80% of their total claims are for pharmacy services administered in Illinois; a pharmacy located in an Illinois census tract that meets both of the following poverty and population density and pharmacy accessibility standards: (A) the census tract has either: (i) 20% or more of its population living below the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2); or (ii) a median household income of less than 80% of the median income of the nearest metropolitan area; and (B) the census tract has at least 33% of its population living one mile or more from the pharmacy for urban tracts or more than 10 miles from the pharmacy for rural tracts.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants Nonprofit Organizations; Applicant Eligibility Per statute only eligible entity is Illinois Retail Merchants Association.