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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Illinois Lawmakers Challenging Rauner’s Child Care Eligibility Restrictions

Illinois Child Care Bureau

The Illinois House could vote next week on a measure to keep last year’s eligibility guidelines for child care assistance. 

State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Democrat from Peoria, says she plans to call the measure that challenges Governor Bruce Rauner’s move last month to restrict the program. 

“It will undo the rules that Governor Rauner put into place on July 1, which would essentially cut out 90-percent of the current eligible people who are looking to get childcare,” Gordon-Booth said.

She says the measure would help more low-income parents qualify for child care funds.

“We’re telling folks you need to go to school, you need to go to work,” Gordon-Booth said. “If you do those things, we’ll provide some supports for you to be able to do that.”

The state senate passed the measure earlier this month. Rauner’s move to restrict the program means 90 percent of the families who previously qualified for benefits would no longer be eligible for future assistance.

Rauner decreased eligibility for the program and increased the cost of copays. Gordon-Booth says lawmakers are trying to secure enough votes for a supermajority to override any possible veto from the governor on the issue.

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