Please share this important message with the Governor, the Illinois Department of Human Services and your local elected officials.

THE CONCERN: The Governor’s proposed budget would eliminate access to IDHS’ Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for 75% of low-income parents involved in education and training activities.  This will prevent low-income parents throughout Illinois from building their earning capacity, escaping poverty, and providing a brighter future for their families.

THE FACTS: Currently, low-income parents engaged in a vocational training, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), or 2- and 4-year college degree programs are eligible for financial assistance to help provide care for their children while they’re in classes.  Research continues to confirm that educational attainment remains the most effective way to increase a family’s income:

• On average, a high school diploma raises a young working mother’s income by 26%
• An Associate’s Degree increases that mother’s earnings by another 28%
• With a Bachelor’s Degree, she will earn 75% more than with just a high school diploma
• Minority women are much less likely to have completed higher education

THE RISK: A change in this policy will have dire consequences for Illinois families.  This proposal ignores the state’s commitment to college and career readiness for ALL students, and its stated priority that up to 2 years of post-secondary education or training be  available to all citizens in this State.  The teen parent struggling to stay in high school, the immigrant mother enrolled in ESL classes, and the low-wage worker trying to attend classes at the community college all depend on this assistance to ensure their kids are cared for while they fulfill their own educational potential.  These parents, striving to provide more for their children, represent the potential for a robust economy in Illinois.  State-assisted child care for these families strengthens our hopes of building a more educated, better-trained workforce who will end up contributing to a stronger tax base.

This funding cut will also cause Illinois to forfeit $74 million in federal ARRA funding, since cutting child care funding below FY09 spending levels violates ARRA’s non-supplantation requirement.

If we are truly committed to supporting a system that prepares all students for a successful academic and professional career, we cannot deny parents involved in education and training the child care assistance that they need.

TAKE ACTION:

• Contact Governor Quinn, IDHS Secretary Saddler and your state senator and representative about the proposed CCAP cuts.  (contact information follows below)
  
  • Inform them of this proposed cut and let them know a change in this policy will have dire consequences for Illinois families.
  • Tell them how important education and training is for parents to gain the skills needed in today’s workforce, especially in the midst of the recession.  Remind them that this proposal ignores the state’s commitment to college and career readiness for ALL students.
  • Make sure they realize that this funding cut will also cause Illinois to forfeit $74 million in federal ARRA (stimulus/recovery) funding, since cutting child care funding below FY09 spending levels violates ARRA’s non-supplantation requirement.

Governor Quinn

Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
TTY: 888-261-3336

Secretary Michelle Saddler

401 South Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
(800) 843-6154

Click here to find your state representative and senator

For more information or assistance in contacting your elected officials, contact Jennifer Becker Mouhcine at 312-252-0460 ext 301,  or by emailing jmouhcine@cjc.net.