Healthcare unions and early childhood education advocates say cutting caregiver services for children would have a negative impact on Illinois’ economy.
Gov. Bruce Rauner restricted access to the Child Care Assistance Program. Annette Edwards is an independent childcare provider in Peoria. She works for a single mother with four kids.
“She would rather work the minimum-wage job and support her family the best that she can than to just sit around and rely on other social service programs,” Edwards said.
Edwards says without access to the state’s Child Care Assistance Program, more parents would have to resort to welfare programs.
Rauner says he ordered the cost-cutting measures because Democrats haven't passed a balanced budget. Edwards made her comments at an event organized by the Service Employees International Union.