SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is supporting legislation expanding access to Illinois' Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps offset the cost of child care so parents can continue in the workforce or attend school.
"Working people are still feeling the stress of the recession, and Illinois services should help them thrive," Smiddy said. "Too many workers haven't seen a raise in years as prices continue to rise, and their children's education and care shouldn't suffer because of that."
Smiddy is sponsoring House Bill 5580, allows people making more money to be eligible for CCAP. The bill attempts to address the squeeze middle class families feel as prices rise while their wages remain the same. Many in this group are now in need of assistance to help them stay in the workforce and ensure their children receive quality care while they're at work. The bill is an initiative of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) who aims to increase the public’s access to affordable, quality childcare across Illinois.
"Quality child care helps parents stay on the job while knowing their children are safe, and this bill will help more families continue their careers and ensure their children are cared for," Smiddy said. "Unfortunately, more and more hard-working families are finding child care payments harder and harder to afford, and the CCAP program should adapt to address this issues, and help workers remain in the workforce without sacrifice theirs children's care."
For more information, contact Smiddy’s full-time constituent service office at 309-848-9098 or email RepSmiddy@gmail.com.
# # #
