Grasse Signs Nationwide Letter Demanding Restoration of Federal Childcare Funding

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, 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.

“Donald Trump’s sudden freeze of childcare funding has put the wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of children at risk,” Grasse said. “For working parents especially, childcare is one of the largest household expenses, and losing access to affordable care options is an immediate crisis. When the cost-of-living is already too high, it’s vital that this funding be restored immediately.”

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 documentation before receiving any kind of funding, causing nationwide delays.

Grasse 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 $10 billion in child care funds frozen across Democratic-majority states, including over $1 billion for Illinois families and children facing poverty, chronic illness or disability.

“I’ve worked hard to make laws that support children in working class families and to cut expenses that are making their lives harder. Now the Trump Administration is trying to unravel that progress,” Grasse said. “I’m joining more than 200 of my colleagues to call for an end to this president’s tragic attacks on innocent people who live in a state that didn’t support him in an election.”

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