Springfield, Ill - With an overwhelming majority, the House voted (113-3) to take money from other parts of the state budget to avoid interruptions in child care. The measure now heads to the Senate.
Illinois is on the verge of halting payments to government-subsidized child care programs that serve about 85,000 parents. Governor Pat Quinn's administration says money for child care had to be diverted to pay welfare benefits.
Governor Quinn's controversial plan prompted hundreds of people to demonstrate outside the capitol Wednesday morning.
"For God's sake please do not do this to working families and young children," said Maria Whelan of Illinois Action for Children.
Illinois Action for Children claims the $85,000,000 in proposed cuts will mean many families won't be able to afford child care at all.
