IAFC Statement on the Federal Government’s Child Care Funding Freeze

Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) believes that all children and families have the right to safe, affordable, and quality child care and that such care can and should be provided with strong accountability.

IAFC opposes the federal administration’s actions to immediately freeze federal child care funding for Illinois. This decision has created fear and confusion in communities across the state and stands to disrupt Illinois’ child care system. The economic stability of working families across the state depends on stable funding for child care.

The state of Illinois has robust procedures and protocols in place to ensure program integrity and identify potential fraud alongside audits and compliance requirements. In Illinois, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), supported by federal and state funds, serves more than 150,000 children. These children and their families should not be collateral damage in political disputes.

IAFC urges the federal administration to:

• Maintain federal funding for child care without interruption to support working families.

• Ensure any additional accountability measures are targeted, evidence-based, and do not undermine access to the child care families depend on.

Funding delays and disruptions will have immediate, harmful impacts on children and working families across the state of Illinois. IAFC remains steadfast in its commitment to uplift children and all who care for them.

Please send media inquiries to media@actforchildren.org.