Child Care Subsidies – Illinois – IRP Poverty Dispatch

State budget crisis threatens funding for day-care providers, families, By Dean Olsen, May 2, 2012, Galesburg Register-Mail: “A new wrinkle in Illinois’ budget crisis unfolded Wednesday when Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration said it has begun to delay payments to more than 40,000 child-care providers. The move could threaten the fragile budgets of many providers and the family finances of more than 85,000 low-income parents who receive state-subsidized child-care services. The delays could mean no more subsidy payments to many child-care providers until July 1, said Januari Smith, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Human Services…”
Illinois child care subsidies at risk; legislators search for funding, By Melissa Westphal, May 3, 2012, Rockford Register Star: “Child care services for low-income families could be in jeopardy unless Illinois legislators can scramble to find additional funds needed for a state-subsidized program. Day care providers were hit with the bad news this week when state leaders told them Illinois has essentially run out of money to pay for the Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income, working families find and pay for child care so parents can maintain their employment. Families share in the cost of the services on a sliding scale based on family size, income and number of children in care…”