COFI and POWER-PAC IL’s annual lobby day, Moms on a Mission, showed the power of collective action between Black and Brown parent leaders, as well as the power of intergenerational collaborations between parents, grandparents, and children!
Hundreds of moms and their family members traveled to Springfield on May 7 to advocate for legislation prioritizing children and family rights. The day started with team building and strategizing, followed by a rally, and we finished the day with legislator visits.
POWER-PAC IL’s main budget priorities focused on: Raising revenue, protecting HBIA (Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults), a $60M increase for Early Intervention (EI) services, and fully funding public schools through Evidence-Based Funding (EBF)!
Our main legislative priorities focused on: expanding and strengthening the Illinois Child Tax Credit (SB 753), creating a state subcommittee focused on preschool special education (SB 1555), preventing schools from issuing costly tickets to students for school discipline situations and increasing transparency of police notifications (SB 1519), and protecting the right of immigrant children to free and public education in Illinois (HB 3247).
Our full agenda can be viewed here.
Media Coverage
Check out some media coverage from Moms on a Mission:
- Gaby P. from the Southwest Side spoke to Block Club Chicago about protecting HBIA and the challenging decisions she must make if she loses healthcare coverage.
- Lynn M. and Sherita H. from the Westside spoke to the Austin Weekly News about the history of Moms on a Mission, past parent accomplishments, and our 2025 visit on May 7!
A Deeper Dive into “Moms on a Mission” Agenda:
Strengthening the State Child Tax Credit
Last year, in 2024, COFI, POWER-PAC IL, and partners won the passage of a state Child Tax Credit! It was a huge win for families, but it left out children and families who need it most.
This year, parents and advocates want to strengthen the credit by removing its tie to the Earned Income Tax Credit, which means families with zero or low income are NOT eligible. The credit is also PER FAMILY, instead of PER CHILD. The current credit does not meet today’s reality when some parents go back to school and don’t have incomes, or for those with growing families.
As Illinois families face rising costs and federal cuts to the EITC and other critical services, it’s time for Illinois to step up and invest in families! The expanded CTC would help provide stability to families across the state.
What Would a Fully Funded School Look Like?
Parents are asking legislators to support more than the minimum $350M increase to Evidence-Based Funding (EBF). If legislators want to reach the $2.5B needed to fully fund schools by 2027, they need to invest at least $550M.
To build support, parents have been working on quilts that show what a fully funded school looks like. They brought the quilts to Springfield and showcased them at the rally, which was the first time POWER-PAC IL has hosted a rally in Springfield!
Some of the squares on the quilt call for more after-school activities, immersive visits to museums and universities, respecting students’ rights, and mental health supports (see some of the quilts to the right).
Protecting HBIA
Nearly 33,000 Illinoisians are at risk of losing their healthcare coverage. Governor JB Pritzker has proposed defunding HBIA (Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults), which would effectively take away their healthcare. Parents made this a top priority on their agenda and joined Latino Unity Day on May 7 and 8 to highlight the importance of healthcare to local communities.
Leading up to Moms on a Mission, parent Leaders have been building momentum for the program and sharing powerful stories about the lifesaving and preventative care they receive through the program.
In addition to Gaby’s story in Block Club (above), Julio, a POWER-PAC IL father, spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times about how HBIA is helping him treat his stomach cancer. Read more about Julio’s story here.
“Babies Can’t Wait” for Early Intervention
Governor JB Pritzker proposed a $10M increase for early intervention funding this year, but the funding is not nearly enough, as families continue to face historically high waitlists for services they are entitled to receive.
Parents and advocates are asking for a $60M increase that would help address waitlists and the ongoing workforce crisis through greater provider reimbursement rates.
Raising Revenue
Illinois can afford to invest in children and families! The Illinois Revenue Alliance has identified $6B in potential revenues to fund programs that children and families need for their health, safety, and education. See the revenue solutions here.
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