Chicago, IL.—(ENEWSPF)—August 6, 2015 — Springfield’s inability to pass a balanced budget is decimating social services providers, including those in the childcare industry. On July 1st, without the input of the legislature, Governor Rauner’s administration unilaterally changed the eligibility standards of the Child Care Assistance Program. This means 90% of usually qualified families are left without child care for their infants and children. The recent eligibility changes have made it impossible for low-income working parents to survive in Illinois. College preschools that were designed to assist young moms in continuing their education are not planning to reopen. This month 3,000 centers will not be paid for services rendered in good faith on behalf of the state, forcing many child care facilities to turn families away, lay off staff, and potentially close their doors forever.
On July 2nd, CEDA laid off 200 employees and shut down the majority of its programs and services until further notice: LIHEAP, PIPP, ComEd Special Residential Hardship, Weatherization, Skills Training, and Dental, Vision and Water Bill Assistance. As the summer heat has turned-up, social services have turned-down. Consequently, the sick and elderly are trapped, alone, in overheated homes, without the assistance of state-funded homecare health aides. The Rauner administration has destroyed the Meals on Wheels Program that gets food to the sick and elderly, and is also delivering a devastating blow to the federally funded WIC Program. Recently, CEDA announced that they will be forced to suspend services to more than 50,000 low-income women and children, including more than 5,000 medically fragile children who require specialized formula survive.
On August 14th, Teen Reach programs that keep teenagers positively engaged and off of the streets will shut down in various Chicagoland communities. This collapse in this social service resource unnecessarily places our preteens, teens, and young adults in unsafe potentially hazardous environments.
Springfield’s budget impasses is forcing new moms to leave babies home alone; taking therapy away from special needs children; pushing teens to spend the summer on the streets; booting students out of college; strong-arming parents out of work;and trapping the sick and elderly in overheated houses! It is time for us to SAVE ILLINOIS and stand up to the Billionaire Budget Bully!
Child Care Advocates United has registered nearly 2,000 people for the rally & march at the Thompson Center on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Attendance will be comprised of community organizers, parents, children, providers, and legislators. Confirmed speakers are: Illinois State Representative Lashawn Ford; Illinois State Representative Mary Flowers; Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lightford; and Harold Rice, CEDA CEO.
Participating Organizations Include: Child Care Advocated United (Convener), Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc (CEDA), Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, Roseland Community Hospital, SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana
For updates, visit www.facebook.com/fundchildcarenow
For more information contact Nakisha Hobbs at 312-399-9727 or email [email protected].
Source: Child Care Advocates United
