FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2024
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Illinois Leaders and Advocates Call For Statewide Child Tax Credit at Illinois Capitol
(Springfield, IL) – On Wednesday, legislative leaders, advocates, and families came together in Springfield at the Illinois State Capital to urge for a permanent statewide Child Tax Credit (CTC) by the end of this year’s legislative session. Young parents and families are feeling the impact of inflation and the rising cost of living today, implementing a Child Tax Credit in Illinois would assist and improve the economic mobility of families.
Legislative bills, SB 3329 / HB 4917, sponsored by State Senator Omar Aquino and State Representatives Marcus Evans Jr. and Mary Beth Canty, would offer families $300 for each child whose parents make less than the median income benefiting 1.4 million kids, which is half of all the children in the state. Federal data shows up to 80 percent of the offered money is spent immediately and locally to buy goods and services in their direct communities that can generate over $1 billion back into our economy.
The Illinois Cost Of Living Refund Coalition brings together more than 40 nonprofit, labor, consumer advocate, immigrant rights, and grassroots, community-based organizations across the state working to put cash back into the pocket of Illinoisans. Two years ago, this coalition successfully advocated for an expansion to the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. Last year, the coalition supported legislation for a more expensive version of a statewide Child Tax Credit. As active advocates in the coalition, Young Invincibles is calling on Illinois legislative leaders to pass SB 3329 / HB 4917.
Alyssa Hughes, a young Illinois parent said.
“The financial hardships I face as a young parent are having to work overtime daily just to make ends meet, but struggling to have sufficient savings for rainy days or even to purchase a home. Thankfully, I work from home, which cuts the daycare cost, but it also cuts my son’s experience around other children and social skills.
The Child Tax Credit’s financial support would help me put my son in daycare for at least every other day, put money in savings and just day-to-day needs that come at random, especially with a toddler.”
Jorge Arteaga, Midwest Policy and Advocacy Manager at Young Invincibles said:
“We can no longer let young parents suffer, we must invest in them immediately. The proposed permanent Child Tax Credit would immediately benefit 1.4 million kids statewide and allow for parents to provide the best opportunity for their family. There is no greater investment we can make than in the future of Illinois children. Young Invincibles strongly supports this legislation and urges legislators to swiftly pass SB 3329 / HB 4917.”
State Senator Omar Aquino said:
“In DC right now, our congressional leaders are sponsoring the new push for a new federal tax credit. Fourteen other states have already taken action … why can’t we be the 15th state?”
State Representative Mary Beth Canty said:
“Our governor has committed to making Illinois the best state in the nation to raise a family. And this is the next step in that journey by passing a child tax credit and giving our families more money to raise their children as they choose. We can make sure that no family is without the support it needs.”
State Representative Marcus Evans Jr. said
“Illinois ranks as the worst state in the nation for racial financial equality, just think about that. We have work to do and by creating the Child Tax Credit will be a major step to rectify the situation.”
Krystal Peters, a parent and leader at Worker Center for Racial Justice said:
“It’s not easy raising a kid these days and with the cost of living so high, it can be a struggle to stay afloat. I want to provide the best experience and life for my kid. A child tax credit allows me and families across Illinois to do exactly that.”
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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 Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org