CHICAGO — After the federal administration announced a freeze of federal funding for child care programs in several Democrat-led states, including Illinois, which would impact around 100,000 working families, State Senator Graciela Guzmán released the following statement:

“The child care system is under attack by the Trump administration, which is using unfounded claims of fraud to take actions that will make child care more expensive for families, make children less safe, and make it harder for child care centers to stay open. The administration is putting children, families, and providers at risk—destabilizing families, threatening the closure of small child care businesses, and damaging our broader economy, all while doing nothing to address the ongoing child care crisis. Our nation’s child care system is already too expensive and precarious, and Trump’s attacks will only worsen the challenges facing families.

“It is extremely disappointing to be reminded, yet again, that the federal administration supports hundreds of thousands of children suffering just to score points against government officials who hold alternative beliefs than their administration. It is sickening to think of the children and families who will face more financial hardship at the hands of this reckless decision, many of whom are low-income and barely making ends meet as is. As an outspoken advocate for child care and investing in our working families, I join early childhood educators, parents, organizers, and fellow advocates in demanding that Congress hold the Administration accountable and release all federal child care dollars without unnecessary delays and restrictions. 

“Myself and other Illinois officials are in conversation with childcare advocates to monitor this situation and work together to minimize impact for our children and families. I will continue fighting as a state legislator to work with those who will be most impacted by delayed or frozen funding to find solutions to lessen the impact on children, families, and state economies.”