Illinois is one of five states that could be impacted by an announced federal child care funding freeze, putting thousands of families at risk of losing access to stable, high-quality early learning services.  Just in Illinois, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) serves 100,000 families and 150,000+ young children through child care programs they may be unable to access otherwise. CCAP supports Illinois families in going to work or school, and child care is critical not only to children and families but also employers and our state's economy.

Illinois has built one of the strongest early childhood systems in the country, with clear eligibility requirements, layered accountability measures and rigorous oversight to ensure child care dollars are used responsibly and as intended. 

“Claims that child care dollars are being broadly misused do not reflect how Illinois’ early childhood system operates or the robust safeguards already in place,” Ireta Gasner, Start Early Vice President of Illinois Policy, states. “A federal funding freeze would not improve accountability, but it will create real harm for babies and young children who rely on stable early learning environments and for parents who depend on reliable child care every day.” 

To the families and providers in our home state of Illinois, know that state leadership has confirmed there is not an immediate impact of this freeze, and they are exploring every option in this very dynamic moment. Start Early’s directly operated programs will continue to operate as normal, and families should feel confident sending their children to their early learning programs.  

Alongside our partners, the focus remains on keeping children safe and cared for and ensuring families and providers are not caught in the middle of policy decisions that put critical early childhood services at risk. We will continue to share federal and state updates as they become available. 

Read Start Early's full statement.