DeLaRosa Signs Nationwide Letter Demanding Federal Childcare Funding

LOMBARD, Ill. – State Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa, D-Lombard, is one of over 200 lawmakers from all 50 states to sign a comprehensive letter organized by the State Innovation Exchange (SiX), the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), and the Child Care for Every Family Network urging the federal government to restore childcare funding.

“Childcare is one of the biggest costs young families face, and the cost of living is so high that most families can’t afford to have a parent stay home to care for the children,” said DeLaRosa. “When the federal government cuts funding like this, they are actively making people’s lives more difficult and less affordable.”

In January, the Trump administration announced its intention to cut childcare funding in five states, including Illinois. Additionally, the federal government’s “Defend the Spend” policy targets social services and childcare programs by forcing agencies servicing these vital resources to provide excessive and unnecessary documents before receiving any kind of funding, causing nationwide delays.

DeLaRosa has been integral to championing legislation supporting young families, children, and education access. Recently, she helped to pass House Resolution 621, calling for the immediate release of the $10 billion in child care funds frozen across democratic-majority states, including over $1 billion to Illinois families and children facing poverty, chronic illness
or disability.

“I, along with hundreds of my fellow lawmakers across the country, will not stand for this blatant disrespect of our social services and childcare programs. The care and education of our children is not political. This is not a difference between right and left. This is a difference between right and wrong,” said DeLaRosa.

The collaborative letter can be read here and was entered into the record during this week’s Senate Judiciary Hearing.