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. 

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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.

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News & Resources

Raising Illinois Releases Summative Report

25 November 2024
Posted in

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…

A Conversation on Pregnancy Loss

25 October 2024
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October 25, 2024 A Conversation on Pregnancy Loss A conversation between Raising Illinois, Gifts from Liam & Evelyn James Co on pregnancy loss and how policy can better support grieving families. In observance of Pregnancy &…

News Release, Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Launch

25 October 2024
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 Families, Advocates Rally to Demand Increased Funding for Early Intervention Services in Illinois Thousands of Infants and Toddlers Experiencing Delays to Receive Life-Changing Services CHICAGO, IL – Families and…

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