FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2022
Contact: Juan Ramiro Sarmiento
(785) 760-6567 | JuanRamiro.Sarmiento@younginvincibles.org

Governor Pritzker Signs YI-Backed Student-Parents Bill Into Law

(Chicago, IL) – On May 13, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed HB 3149, The Student-Parents Bill backed by Young Invincibles, into law earlier this month. The legislation was unanimously approved by both chambers. YI worked with the Partnership for College Completion, ReadyNation Illinois, Women Employed, and other advocates speaking up for student-parents. The new will codify administrative practices to ensure student-parents are supported regardless of the administration in power.

In response, Lily Rocha, Midwest Regional Director for Young Invincibles issued the following statement:

“YI is thrilled Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed into state law a bill supporting student parents. College students with children deal with the expected academic and financial pressures of college life. But on top of these challenges, student parents face the additional struggle to find high-quality, reliable, and affordable child care.

The estimated 97,000 college students with children need to have access to information about the resources available to help with child care and related costs, including Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program and the federal dependent care allowance. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has previously reached out to student parents about these resources through Monetary Award Program (MAP) award letters, but this practice was not cemented in law.

Now, with the leadership of Senator Celina Villanueva and Representative Will Guzzardi, a bill has been signed into law to codify this practice and ensure student parents are always informed about the child care resources they need to manage school and parenting.

Work remains to ensure these programs are continuously funded and expanded as needed, and YI will continue working with our trusted partners to keep advocating for student parents.”

###

Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Juan Ramiro Sarmiento at (785) 760-6567 or juan.sarmiento@younginvincibles.org