LAWMAKERS IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE HAVE VOTED TO PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS THE STATE’S CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM HAS RUN OUT OF MONEY…SINCE FUNDS WERE DIVERTED TO PAY FOR THE STATE’S WELFARE NEEDS. BUT THAT LEFT FAMILIES AND DAY CARE PROVIDERS SCRAMBLING SAYS REPRESENTATIVE SARA FEIGENHOLTZ OF CHICAGO. SHE URGED HER COLLEAGUES TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOW.

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SOME OF THE FUNDING FOR ASSISTANCE WAS USED FOR OTHER STATE NEEDS…LEAVING DAYCARE PROVIDERS AND LOW INCOME WORKING FAMILIES SHORTCHANGED FOR THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR. THE HOUSE VOTED TO PUMP ADDITIONAL DOLLARS INTO THE PROGRAM…BUT HOUSE MINORITY LEADER TOM CROSS SAYS THIS SHOWS THE STATE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT SPEND MORE THAN IT HAS.

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THE EXTRA MONEY STILL MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR. THE STATE SUBSIDIZES DAYCARE TO HELP ABOUT 85 THOUSAND PARENTS KEEP WORKING.