Federal government withholding $1 billion from Illinois
The federal government is withholding more than $10 billion in family and child care aid from Illinois and four other states because of concerns about fraud and misuse of those funds, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday evening.
In Illinois, about $1 billion is frozen that would normally go to programs helping families pay for child care, support child care workers and pay for other services, according to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office. The administration is also withholding funds intended for California, Colorado, Minnesota and New York.
The federal government decided to freeze the funds out of concern that “these benefits intended for U.S. citizens and legal residents may have been inappropriately provided to individuals who are not eligible under federal law,” according to a federal press release.
“Families who rely on child care and family assistance programs deserve assurance that these resources are being used legally and for their intended purposes,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Jim O’Neill said in the release.
Pritzker’s office quickly blasted the move Tuesday night, accusing the Trump administration of targeting Illinois and other states because they are led by Democratic governors.
“Rather than making life easier and more affordable for our families, Donald Trump is taking away child care from Illinois families who are just trying to get to work,” Pritzker said in a press release.
“Thousands of parents and children rely on these child care programs to help them make ends meet, and now their livelihoods are being put at risk,” Pritzker said. “It’s wrong, it’s cruel, and we will take every step possible to defend the children and families who depend on all of us right now.”
State agencies involved in the money have “robust” procedures and protocols to prevent, report and address suspected fraud, and they regularly review and audit organizations that receive state and federal dollars, according to the governor’s office. The Trump administration has not provided Illinois with any detailed information or evidence of alleged fraud, the governor’s office said.
The frozen money comes from three areas: the Child Care and Development Fund, Social Services Block Grant funds and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
In Illinois, about 100,000 low-income working families receive subsidized child care through the Child Care Assistance Program that is partly funded by the Child Care and Development Block Grant, according to the governor’s office.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant helps support thousands of child care providers across the state, and the Social Services Block Grant goes to hundreds of organizations across the state that support social service providers, according to the governor’s office.
The funds will remain frozen until the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conducts a review and determines that states are in compliance with federal requirements.
