Financially Secure Families
Improving the Economic Health of Families Will Have a Direct and Profound Impact on Illinois’ Infants and Toddlers
Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. Unfortunately, poverty disproportionately impacts families with young children. Parents of infants and toddlers face countless barriers when accessing income supports, employment policies that are compatible with parenting (such as paid family and medical leave) and affordable child care programs.
Recommended Strategies
The objectives below provide tangible and achievable steps that policymakers in Illinois can take to improve the economic health, well-being and success of the state’s infants and toddlers and their families.
Income Supports for Families
Alleviate financial constraints of families by simplifying access to income support programs through policy change, investment and collaboration.
Family-friendly Work Policies
Cohesion between families with infants and toddlers and employers can improve the physical and economic health of those families and their communities.
News & Resources
Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Update
December 18, 2024 Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Update Updates from the first phase of our campaign for increased EI funding in the Illinois state budget Raising Illinois Champions & Contributors know that our…
Our 2024 Accomplishments & 2025 Priorities
Raising Illinois shares the accomplishments of 2024 and priorities for 2025
Raising Illinois Releases Summative Report
November 25, 2024 Raising Illinois Releases Five-Year Report Celebrating Five Years of Progress for Illinois’ Youngest Children We invite you to explore the full report to learn more about our journey so far and ongoing work…