Springfield, IL-(Effingham Radio)- A Democratic state lawmaker has introduced a bill that extends eligibility periods for the Illinois taxpayer-funded Child Care Assistance Program.
Senate Bill 3626 is sponsored by state Sen. Celina Villanueva. In a Senate committee hearing, Nakisha Hobbs, CEO and founder of the youth social service organization It Takes A Village Family of Schools, said the measure would “provide stability for children between the ages of birth and five … which is when children’s brains are developing the most.”
State Sen. Jil Tracy’s Senate Bill 3104 says qualifying families would receive a state tax credit equal to 25 percent of the current federal child care tax credit for each child. Tracy said she doesn’t know how much the move could cost the state in revenue. With a $52 billion budget, Tracy said surely the state will be able to sacrifice for a revenue producer.
Tracy said her and state Sen. Sue Rezin’s bill, which also advocates for a tax credit, will provide much-needed relief for Illinoisans who are struggling to keep up with the state’s high cost of living.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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