Brynn Seibert, vice president at SEIU Healthcare Illinois and director of the Child Care Division, released the following statement on the passage of HB 4965 by the Illinois legislature today, extending child care eligibility in the Child Care Assistance Program:

“We are pleased that the Illinois legislature passed HB 4965, extending eligibility for families in the Child Care Assistance Program to 12 months. This will mean greater continuity of care and more stability for working parents, children and child care providers across Illinois. This strong, bipartisan vote shows that members of the Illinois General Assembly — both Democrats and Republicans — realize the importance of reliable, affordable child care.

“While we applaud this step by the General Assembly, we know that more must be done to strengthen Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program. Governor Rauner’s continued attacks on child care continue to harm working families. Thousands of child care providers have shuttered and there are 40,000 fewer children enrolled in the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program today than there were in 2015.

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