Earlier today, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) failed to render the necessary votes for a positive recommendation to overturn stringent eligibility rules for the Child care Assistance Program. The emergency rules removed thousands of needy families from the Child Care Assistance Program. Under Governor Rauner’s rules, most working parents making minimum wage are not eligible for assistance with child care. Senate Black Caucus Chairman

Senator Emil Jones offered the following statement:

“It’s a shame for the Republicans to vote against families who are building a brighter future. Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus drew our line in the sand on this issue. Our community needs this program so struggling families aren’t thrust into public aid. Families who use this program are looking for a hand up and not a hand out. Restricting families from using this program will end up costing taxpayers more money in the long run.
The members on this panel that voted against funding CCAP are sending the wrong message to needy families. At a time when our economy is growing, we need to help families who are on their way to a stable financial position.”