1. 2015 Budget Cuts Press Conference Talk Points
The ChildCare Assistance programchangesproposedbyGovernorRauner tobeginJuly1 will have real
and negative impactsonalreadystrugglingfamiliesinIllinois.Furthermore,the repercussions of these
cuts will extendpastfamilies,circlingbacktothe Illinoiseconomy:
Let’sconsideroursingle parentof two,makingaround$15 per hour. In orderto continue toworkor
attendschool full time,thismomordad maycurrentlypay a copay of $185 per monthtowardtheirchild
care costs.
1. The proposedincrease incopaymentsimpactsthisfamily’sabilitytoaffordbasicmonthlyneeds
and householdexpenses;
a. and mayprice this familyoutof the qualitychildcare andearlyeducationprograms
accessible tootherfamilies.
2. Next,afreeze inaddingnewfamilieswhodon’tmeetthe proposedeligibilitycriteria:
a. Our momwho ismaking$15 per hour,may now have to decide whethertoleave her
childrenunsupervisedinthe eyesof ourState’slaws,orleave workorschool;
b. and herchildcare choicesmaynarrow againas providersrefuse herchildrenuntilthey
are approvedforChildCare Assistance.
3. If familieswhoare notalreadyapprovedare movedtoproposedwaitinglists,theymayalsobe
refusedforcare or facedwithpayingthe entire costof care –
a. At $150 to $200 perchildperweek,the costof unsubsidized childcare vs. thismom’s
$15/hour isunrealistic.
4. All of these proposedchanges donotonlyaffectthisone motherof two:
a. If families likehershave toleave the workforce,
i. theirincome taxesleavesoureconomy;
ii. theyare forcedtolookto more state aidand unemployment;
iii. hundredsof Illinoissmall businesses - the childcare providers - have toclose
theirdoors;
iv. and thousandsof childrenlose accesstoqualityearlylearningenvironments
and lose the positive influence of aworkingparentasa role model.
5. Legislators,these cutsare nota solutiontoour Statesbudgetdeficit:
a. The short termsavingswill meanlongtermlossesforoureconomy andour children.
b. We urge youto roll back these cutsand letthese parents,whowantto workfor a better
future,keeptheirjobsandquality earlylearningenvironments.