Harper Highlights Expansion of Affordable Child Care

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – More families in Illinois will qualify for child care assistance under an expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) being highlighted by state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago.

“Access to affordable child care allows working families to pursue career or educational goals without having to worry about whether their child has a safe place to stay,” Harper said. “Child care assistance isn’t just about having a safe place for children, it’s about making sure families have the opportunity to move up the socioeconomic ladder and provide a good future for their children.”

CCAP provides working parents access to affordable, high-quality child care, so they can go to work, school or enroll in a job training program. Harper supported a plan that expands eligibility to services for working families whose income is within 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or lower. For more information or to determine eligibility, working families can visit the Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) website at dhs.state.il.us.

“After years of continuous attempts to cut child care assistance for working families in Illinois, we are now strengthening and expanding access to affordable child care under Governor JB Pritzker,” Harper said. “I’m proud of our work to build a stronger Illinois for working families by ensuring they have a safe place for their child to stay while they go to work or school.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.