Action Alert: Urge Governor to Fully Restore CCAP

Today early childhood advocates across the state will call on Governor Rauner to fulfill his promise to restore access to affordable child care for thousands of working families.

In November 2015, months after the Governor made dramatic and devastating changes to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), a compromise was reached to bring income eligibility to 162% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – and then return eligibility to threshold of 185% of FPL when Illinois had a budget.

It has been two months since an FY 2018 budget was enacted, but the Governor has not yet taken action to restore eligibility for those families earning between 162-185% FPL ($2,713 – $3,100 per month for a family of 3). Today, 30,000 fewer children have access to child care in Illinois than before the Governor’s restrictions. Early childhood advocates are calling on Governor Rauner to keep his promise and restore access for working families and children.

We commend the Governor for signing HB 3213, which restores CCAP eligibility for non-TANF families participating in education and training. However, the program will not be fully restored until the income threshold is returned to 185% FPL.

Take Action! Call Governor Rauner and urge him to fully restore access to CCAP by returning the income threshold to 185% FPL. Call the Governor’s office at: 217-782-0244 (Springfield office) or 312-814-2121 (Chicago office).

Suggested talking points include:

• State your name, your child care program, and your neighborhood/city

• The Governor made a promise two years ago to fully restore CCAP with a state budget in place. Illinois enacted a budget two months ago, but the Governor has yet to restore the income threshold to 185% FPL. Ask the Governor to fulfill his promise and restore access for thousands of working families.

• Urge the Governor to act fast, as the new school year is getting underway, and children and their working parents need access to safe before- and after-school programs. Many rely on CCAP in order to access these programs.