For many people, observing religious dietary laws isn’t a choice — it’s a way of life. But until recently, practicing that faith in public spaces has often meant compromise, or going without.

“I find it hard to have my own meals with others. I always bring my own food, and even when they tell us that they are going to bring food for us, I always bring my own food just in case,” said Batoul Taha, a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teacher who is Muslim. 

Taha, who practices halal, sees the impact of not only students being left out in the lunchroom, but also how religious inclusion is needed for staff and faculty.

The Faith By Plate Act, signed into law in Illinois in March 2025, aims to change that. The law requires state-funded institutions — including public schools, correctional facilities and hospitals — to offer meals that comply with religious dietary practices, including kosher and halal.

Kosher food complies with Jewish law, which includes guidelines such as avoiding pork and shellfish, not mixing meat and dairy, and using specific methods for animal slaughter. Halal food follows Islamic law, which also forbids pork and requires animals to be slaughtered in a particular way while calling to God. Both systems are rooted in religious texts and emphasize cleanliness, ethical treatment of animals, and spiritual mindfulness in eating.

At the core of the act, the law is about more than food. It’s about dignity, access and the state’s recognition that faith doesn’t pause when someone walks into a school cafeteria or hospital room.

For Jewish, Muslim and other communities, this move gives overdue acknowledgment to longstanding religious practices. While the law doesn’t mandate that every meal be kosher or halal, it requires institutions to provide options upon request, creating a system where individuals no longer have to choose between hunger and belief.

Steve Vihon, who identifies as Jewish but doesn’t follow kosher dietary restrictions, sees value in the broader picture. 

“There are people who either keep kosher or eat halal meals, and I think that it allows people to be comfortable with where they are and who they are,” Vihon said. “It’s not just about religion like praying, it’s a way of life of how you eat and what you eat.”

Michael Levy, a Chicago resident, agrees, adding that while he also doesn’t practice kosher laws personally, he supports efforts that remove barriers for those who do.

“It honestly sounds like something that should’ve already existed,” Levy said. “I just think of how for Christmas we get work or school off, so I think this is the first of many steps to try and acknowledge everyone.” 

Muslim community members also have expressed optimism. Rutaiba “Rue” Siddiqui is a DePaul sophomore who works at a halal-only cafe called Oud Cafe in River North. She emphasized the importance of institutional education and follow-through. 

“There’s a long way to go at the end of the day. A lot of other institutions, both public and private, tend to gloss over the Muslim faith and a lot of the Islamic faith,” Siddiqui said. “But I do think it’s a good step towards inclusivity.” 

In public schools, where many students rely on free or reduced-cost meals, the act could make a meaningful difference. Taha, the CPS teacher, has watched students constantly bringing their own food, being left out or quietly avoiding eating what’s available. Taha wants her students to feel included and not grow up to feel the way she has.

“This makes me happy and excited at the same time,” Taha said. “I’m excited for kids at school to finally be included (in the lunchroom) or have people finally think about them and their religion.”

Still, the implementation phase carries complications. Creating and getting certified meals, training kitchen staff and navigating religious nuances all require time, funding and cooperation. Without adequate support, the law could risk becoming symbolic rather than functional.

And yet, even in its early stages, the Faith By Plate Act marks a shift in how Illinois defines religious inclusion. Where once one-size-fits-all policies dominated, there is now a growing acknowledgment of difference — and the responsibility to accommodate it.

As institutions adapt, residents and advocates alike will be watching closely. Will schools be able to meet dietary needs without singling students out? Will prisons and hospitals be held accountable for what’s served?

“One of the biggest challenges for Jews (and Muslims) is that society is wanting them to either assimilate or give up their religion,” Vihon said. “So I think this is showing an open mindedness and allowing them to be who they are.”

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