East St. Louis – State Representative Eddie Jackson worked alongside a home child care provider today, assisting with daily tasks, activities and the care of 6 children. Rep. Jackson got a firsthand look at a form of critical care in Illinois that is currently facing a $50 million budget shortfall and threats of even greater cuts.

“The teachers and single parents whose children I care for depend on me to keep their jobs and provide for their families – especially when times are tough,” said Dorothy Spencer, who spent the morning showing Rep. Jackson a typical day in her home child care while discussing the impact of drastic state budget cuts. “I’ve taken care of some of these kids since they were 6 weeks old. It sickens me to think about what could happen to them if child care program cuts mean these families lose access to quality care.”

Over 170,000 children in Illinois – 8,000 in St. Clair and Madison Counties – 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.

“There is no way that cuts alone are going to get us out of the crisis and solve our budget problems for the future,” Dorothy told Rep. Jackson. “Working families across the state are counting on our elected officials to protect the Child Care Assistance Program from devastating cuts. Illinois lawmakers must pass a budget with a fair income tax increase that saves these vital programs.”

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.