State Rep. Ford: Child Care Assistance Program Must be Funded

CHICAGO, IL – Illinois State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-8th) Chicago, held a press conference yesterday urging the governor and legislative leaders to work together immediately to find funding for the Child Care Assistance Program.

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ program provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care allowing them to continue working and contributes to the healthy, emotional and social development of children. Families are required to cost-share on a sliding scale based on family size, income and the number of children in care. The CCAP budget for the current fiscal year, which runs until June 30, 2015, is underfunded by almost $300 million. In Illinois, there are more than 3,000 licensed day care centers, 8000 licensed day care homes and 700 group day care homes with a combined capacity to serve more than 255,000 children.

“Every day that CCAP goes without state funding, it becomes a bigger problem for the families and children who rely on this essential program,” Ford said. “Given that grassroots advocates have received over 10,000 signatures in support of funding this critical program, the time to act for our children is now.”

For more information, visit www.lashawnford.com or contact one of Ford’s constituent service offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673; 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902; or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962.