Campaign to override "Child Support Pays" veto

"If the State expects to collect more child support and also help families get off welfare, the legislature should override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 1232," said Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Chicago) in announcing a two-month public education and override campaign. The General Assembly will have an opportunity to override the H.B. 1232 veto when it reconvenes on November 16.

H.B. 1232, called "Child Support Pays," would allow working parents receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to keep two-thirds of child support collected by the State on behalf of their children. Under current state policy, these families are allowed to keep only a $50 "pass-through" per month, no matter how much the State collects from the estranged parent.

"Last year, $88 million was collected on behalf of children receiving welfare, but the families received only $8.8 million—a mere 10 percent of the total. The state and federal governments kept 90 cents of every dollar in child support collected. By helping low-income working families keep a larger portion of child support payments, H.B. 1232 demonstrates the State’s commitment to helping families become self-sufficient in this era of welfare reform," said Representative Hamos, chief sponsor of the legislation.

Gov. George Ryan vetoed H.B. 1232 because estimates show that the State would keep $6 million less if more child support were returned to the families. Cosponsor Rep. Eileen Lyons (R-LaGrange) responded, "A parent who receives child support becomes less dependent on welfare payments. H.B. 1232 will allow working custodial parents on welfare to move from welfare more quickly. It will also create incentives for more moms and dads to participate in the State’s child support program. It’s a $6 million investment in the short run but will be much more economical in the long run."

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago), chief sponsor of the legislation in the Illinois Senate, added, "Before this law, we were creating a disincentive for dads to do the right thing. When parents are willing to face up to their responsibilities, money goes right to their children, not to the bureaucrats."

You can help override Governor Ryan’s veto. Following are two sample letters. One is to be sent to your state representative and senator, and the other is to be sent to the editor of your local newspaper.

If you have any questions about H.B. 1232, call the National Center on Poverty Law, 312.263.3830 ext. 234 (Margaret Stapleton) or ext. 238 (Wendy Pollack).

Re: H.B 1232 (Child Support Pays)

Dear Representative/Senator _____________________:

Please vote YES to override Gov. George Ryan’s veto of House Bill 1232. The bill will let working families on welfare (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF) keep two-thirds of the child support collected from their noncustodial parents.

This bill will help working families help themselves and lead to the collection of more child support. More mothers and fathers will cooperate willingly with the child support program because they will see that most of the support paid will actually benefit their children. Parents on TANF will move from welfare to self-sufficiency when child support is collected and combined with their modest earnings.

In this economy, more TANF parents are employed and more low-income, noncustodial parents are getting jobs. H.B. 1232 recognizes these families’ efforts in supporting their children and becoming self-sufficient.

Please vote YES to override the veto of H.B. 1232 in the fall legislative session.

Sincerely,

Dear Editor:

The General Assembly should override Gov. George Ryan’s veto of House Bill 1232. The bill will let working families on welfare (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF) keep two-thirds of the child support collected from their noncustodial parents.

Under current state policy, these families are allowed to keep only $50 per month in child support, no matter how much the parent pays to the State. Last year $88 million was collected by the State, but the families received only $8.8 million. The state and federal governments kept 90 percent of the total!

This bill will help our poorest children and result in greater child support collections. With H.B. 1232, more mothers and fathers will cooperate willingly with the child support program because they will see that most of the support paid will actually benefit their children. Parents on TANF will move from welfare to self-sufficiency when child support is collected and combined with their modest earnings.

Governor Ryan vetoed the legislation because he claims that the State cannot afford to give up the child support it now keeps. In this era of welfare reform, can the State afford NOT to help these families become self-sufficient? All members of the General Assembly should vote to override the veto of H.B. 1232.

[Letter writer’s name]