SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Multiple Illinois state legislators spoke in support of a proposed child tax credit bill in Springfield on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The bill would give the full tax credit of $300 per dependent to families making up to $75,000 a year, or to single-parent households making up to $50,000 a year.
Erion Malasi, director of policy and advocacy for Economic Security Project, said the bill is expected to cost the state about $300 million.
State Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) said nearly half of the children in Illinois belong to qualifying families — about 1.4 million children.
State Sen. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) said the tax credit would benefit both urban and rural communities.
“We have small towns that have single parents and multi-parent families that are hurting just as much and need transportation, they need diapers, they need food," Halpin said. "And it’s my hope that many of my surrounding Republicans that represent similar communities will see the appeal.”
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