August 26, 2016

To the Honorable Members of

The Illinois Senate,

99th General Assembly:

Today I veto Senate Bill 730, which amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to expand the eligibility requirements for the Child Care Assistance Program. 

This bill requires that the threshold for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) be raised from 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to no less than 200% of FPL in Fiscal Year 2017 and 250% in Fiscal Year 2018 and beyond. The bill further expands the category of eligible participants in the program.  

The costly increase proposed by this legislation would place Illinois far above the income thresholds of not only our neighboring states, but nearly every other state in the country at a time when Illinois is already struggling to meet its current financial obligations. In total, Senate Bill 730 would increase the costs of CCAP by over $200 million in Fiscal year 2017 and over $500 million every year thereafter. 

The State of Illinois can no longer make spending promises that exceed available revenues. This bill irresponsibly imposes an approximately 40% increase in the overall size of the program without any provision to fund such a broad enlargement. The consequences of such an unaffordable expansion will inevitably result in reduced quality of care, the establishment of waiting lists for CCAP program entry, increased parental co-pays, or the reduction or elimination of other important State programs—none of which would best serve the interests of the children that this legislation is intended to support.  

I applaud and share the General Assembly’s desire to provide child care assistance to vulnerable Illinois residents. But such efforts must be wisely undertaken and cannot be done without regard to cost and feasibility. Otherwise, such legislation threatens the long-term sustainability of the Child Care Assistance Program itself. 

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 730, entitled “AN ACT concerning public aid”, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner

GOVERNOR