- Published: Sunday, May 30, 2021 09:49 PM
SPRINGFIELD – An expansion of child care benefits would be permanently codified under a measure introduced by State Representative Lakesia Collins and sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), raising the income threshold for eligibility to stabilize the program and increase access.
House Bill 3620 raises the income threshold for the state’s Child Care Assistance Plan (CCAP) to 200% of the current federal poverty level beginning July 1. The Department of Human Services is already operating under an administrative rule after advocates, providers, and families urged the increase to open up access. Under current law, the threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level.
“We need to acknowledge the reality that living has become more expensive for families while wages and the federal poverty level have stubbornly remained at the same inadequate levels,” Pacione-Zayas said. “The past year of the pandemic has revealed just how hard families are struggling with child care here in Illinois. We need to make this assistance more inclusive.”
State Rep. Lakeisha Collins introduced the measure in the Illinois House.
“I am extremely delighted to see House Bill 3620 pass the Senate with unanimous support to make child care more affordable for low-income families. As a working mother of three boys, I understand how hard it can be to provide for a family, especially at a time when families are struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Collins said. “This legislation will help lift up families who need it most. I look forward to seeing Governor Pritzker sign this bill into law.”
The table below contains information on the new income thresholds for families to qualify for CCAP under the legislation.
| Family Size | 200% FPL |
| 2 | $ 2,874/month |
| 3 | $ 3,620/month |
| 4 | $ 4,367/month |
| 5 | $ 5,114/month |
| 6 | $ 5,860/month |
| 7 | $ 6.607/month |
| 8 | $ 7,354/month |
| 9 | $ 8,100/month |
Having passed a final vote in the Illinois Senate Saturday, the legislation awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
