Ness Highlights Expansion of Financial Assistance for Child Care Costs

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. – Alerting residents to improvements that will help working parents save their hard-earned dollars, state Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, is highlighting a significant expansion of eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and reduced child care costs.

“As families work to get back on their feet after the hardships we have experienced during the COVID-19 health crisis, access to affordable, quality child care is extremely important,” said Ness. “Childcare is an essential service that merits fair funding, especially if we want families to have the resources they need to recover financially, maintain employment or transition back into the workforce, particularly women who made up the majority of employees who left the workforce to care for children due to the pandemic.”

Ness is highlighting recent expansions made to the CCAP that will reduce childcare costs for 80 percent of families. Savings will be realized through several significant cost reductions including trimming family payments, increasing the income eligibility threshold and supporting child care providers by increasing reimbursement rates.

“As a parent, grandparent and a professional who works with youth, I know the beneficial impact that child care programs can have on children throughout their time in school,” continued Ness. “Expansion to the CCAP will help more children start on the right track toward a quality education and support working families.”