Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed an Executive Order on Thursday that provides emergency funding for food banks and pantries in preparation for the pause of SNAP benefits this weekend, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Nearly 2 million people in Illinois may lose food assistance starting Saturday because of the government shutdown. The state and food pantries say they can’t replace the $350 million that SNAP provides each month.

LEMONT, Ill. (WLS) -- The usually busy lunch service at The Wooden Paddle could get even busier now that the popular southwest suburb eatery is offering a free pizza to SNAP recipients who have lost their benefits.

Luke Altmyer passed for four touchdowns and ran for another, and Gabe Jacas had two sacks as Illinois routed visiting Rutgers 35-13 on Saturday in Champaign, Ill., stopping a two-game losing streak.

Despite court orders to distribute SNAP benefits, state officials said the funds remain on hold for nearly 2 million Illinoisans.

Food assistance advocates and state officials acknowledged that the state funds to food banks would not be enough to fill the gap left by shutting off federal funds. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton called the funding “a drop in the bucket” at a news conference Thursday morning.