Press Release
Illinois State Legislators Introduce Bill to Create Illinois Child Tax Credit
02. 07. 2023
State Sen. Simmons, Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. pledge to ease the pressures of rising prices for families.
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Springfield, IL – Today, Illinois State Senators Mike Simmons, Robert Peters, as well as State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. introduced new legislation – SB 1444 – that would create an Illinois Child Tax Credit claimable in the 2024 tax season. If passed by Illinois legislators, eligible low-and middle-income Illinois families would receive a $700 tax credit for each child under the age of 17. The policy proposed would benefit joint filers earning less than $75,000 and single filers earning less than $50,000 – nearly half of Illinois households with children.
With Washington having failed to reinstate the expanded federal Child Tax Credit in last year’s budget process, leaders in Illinois are stepping in, advocating for new direct cash programs within their jurisdictions to help working families.
“I am extraordinarily proud to join my colleagues in the Illinois state legislature in introducing a new bill to ease the burden that our communities face in affording everyday expenses,” said State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. “In creating an Illinois Child Tax Credit, we join a growing number of statehouses working to ensure parents have a bit more money to keep their homes heated and their children fed.”
Support for the bill is already mounting, as Leader Evans, Senators Simmons and Peters were joined in by their colleagues Senators Ventura, Cervantes, and Preston to support SB 1444. Also in attendance were state advocates and parents who would directly benefit from the proposed credit.
“As a mother of five and grandmother, I know we need a Child Tax Credit,” said Donna Carpenter, a parent leader with Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI) who advocates for the policy. “Even a few hundred extra dollars can help families like mine to get through. With an extra $700, I could pay some of my bills and go to the store to buy clothing for my disabled son.”
A growing body of research on the federal Child Tax Credit proves that the policy can reduce child poverty, food insecurity, and rising costs for families. If brought to Illinois, legislators and advocates anticipate the Child Tax Credit could support workers struggling to balance childcare and work as well as strengthen small business and local economies.
“Working parents are struggling worse than ever before. It is time for the state to create a permanent Child Tax Credit that puts money back into the pockets of parents in Illinois, so that parents can take care of their children and communities can begin to recover,” said State Senator Mike Simmons. “I am so proud to stand with this broad and diverse coalition of organizations and parents today to call for a permanent Child Tax Credit.”
The Illinois Cost-Of-Living Refund Coalition is leading the advocacy effort for the Child Tax Credit. Last year, this coalition successfully advocated for an expansion to the state’s Earned Income Credit. The coalition includes more than 40 nonprofit, labor, consumer advocate, immigrant rights, and grassroots, community-based organizations across the state. Advocates from Economic Security for Illinois, Shriver Center, United Way, Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI), Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Children’s Home and Aid, Start Early, and other organizations were present at Tuesday’s press conference.
More information about the policy is available in the Cost-of-Living Refund Coalition’s fact sheet here.