WEST CHICAGO — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement in response to the federal administration’s partisan decision to halt over $10 billion in child care funding across democratic-majority states, including over $1 billion to Illinois families and children facing poverty, chronic illness or disability:

“This continuous stripping of funds that are explicitly set aside for the neediest of parents and their young ones is a blatant attack on low- and modest-income families. Just last month, tens of millions of dollars were erased for schools in my community that provide critical lifelines for children—taking away funding to feed kids, to train educators, and to support families. Once again, these families now have to face a painful reality that the federal government is not on their side. This administration does not want to maintain the safety nets we have for chronically ill children, for young families juggling multiple jobs, nor for moms or dads who need an extra hour or two at day care—an expense that is notoriously the biggest bill for families across our state,” said Hirschauer. “As a mother myself, I reflect often on how working parents pay more for day care than they do for health insurance—even housing. This is yet another example of Trump’s inhumane, and simply grotesque, cuts to make life more and more unaffordable for all families in Illinois.”

Tuesday evening the Trump Administration effectively froze all funds for programs and services provided through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The funding freeze will affect over 100,000 families, more than 152,000 children, 275 organizations and 17 programs that protect the welfare of Illinois children, seniors, people with disability, and families facing poverty and food insecurity. 

“My focus remains on what we can control here at home, as the cruelty of the federal government truly knows no bounds. I will continue to use my platform to fight for the families of my community, and our families in each corner of the state. This is our home, and we will not bow down to someone set on erasing our dignity and livelihoods.”