Peoria – State Representative Jehan Gordon worked alongside a home child care provider today, assisting with daily tasks, activities and the care of 7 children. Rep. Gordon got a firsthand look at a form of critical care in Illinois that is currently facing a $50 million budget shortfall and threats of greater cutbacks due to the state’s $12.4 billion budget deficit.

“Access to child care is critical for working families when times are tough,” said Antonia Cotton, who spent the morning showing Rep. Gordon a typical day in her home child care while discussing the impact of the state budget. “There are already too many children who aren’t getting the care they need. Cutting $50 million from the Child Care Assistance Program would force more families out the program and threaten parents’ ability to continue working.”

Over 170,000 children in Illinois – 3,000 in Peoria County – receive child care through the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. The state’s estimated $12.4 billion budget deficit and unprecedented payment delays have already left many families struggling to get the quality health care, education, and vital public services they count on in tough economic times. Budget cuts such as those proposed in the FY10 budget would put services for these families in greater jeopardy while doing little to solve the structural deficit.

“Cutting our way out of this crisis is not an option,” Antonia told Rep. Gordon. “We’re counting on our elected officials to do the right thing by finding a real solution – one that doesn’t threaten the future of our families and the critical programs we depend on. We need to protect our children with a budget that includes a fair income tax increase and protects families against devastating cuts.”

The Campaign for Illinois’ Future – a coalition of community, advocacy and labor organizations – planned the event as part of its statewide effort to educate Illinois voters and lawmakers about what is at stake for working families in the FY10 budget. In the coming weeks, the coalition will continue to reach out to Illinois communities through town hall meetings, direct mail, phone banks, community forums, door-to-door canvassing and e-organizing.