Children’s Advocates for Change

We will not rest until every Illinois child has every opportunity to flourish – regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code.

Check out our 2025 Data Book on the Well-Being of Illinois Children

Children’s Advocates for Change is an independent advocacy organization committed to the well-being of every Illinois child. We champion those policies and investments children need so that they are educated, healthy, and thriving.

Fact-Driven Child Advocacy

Using a racial equity lens, we analyze the data to identify the roadblocks that stand in the way of our children. Driven by the facts, we advocate for policies, legislation, and funding needed to remove the roadblocks so every child can step into the future they deserve.
Our thanks to the sponsors of our September 2024 Child Poverty Forum in East St. Louis.  You can read about the event on our blog.

Dynamic Foundational Values

  • Independent: We are not constrained by alliances with government agencies or dependent on public funding.
  • Bi-Partisan: Engage successfully, with equal clarity, appeal, and urgency across the political spectrum.
  • Stability: Honor history while infusing new thinking and enhancing our culture of proactive creativity
  • Visionary: A society in which children have their material, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs met as institutional imperatives, not periodic hand-outs.
  • Relentless: Pursue essential and creative solutions with diligence, persistence, and empathy until every child can embrace the hope of a bright future

Caring for the Entire Child

Children may not have a vote, but they can be heard. Young people are impacted in multiple and varied ways through the policies set by adults. Through our collective efforts, we provide a strong, amplified voice to advocate for legislation that secures the opportunities our children need to step into the future they deserve.

Legislation that Works For Children

Children’s Immediate needs must be addressed. The data demonstrates the needs – whether it’s safety, medical care, education, housing, or recreational activities – children thrive when their basic needs are met.

More About Us

Latest News

From Our Blog

New Illinois State Budget

On May 31, 2025, the Illinois General Assembly passed a $55.2 billion budget (SB 2510) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). It is a budget that has more than $800 million worth of new revenue measures, makes some major cuts to programs, and has a partial…

CAFC’s Review of the Governor’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Illinois State Budget

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has proposed a state budget for the next fiscal year that holds the line on income and corporate taxes, increases investments in K-12 public schools and higher education, makes a full pension contribution, cuts…

A Message from the President

A Message from Children's Advocates for Change President Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat January 29, 2025 As citizens of the state of Illinois, we have a basic responsibility to all residents of the state – especially our children. It is…

East St. Louis Child Poverty Forum

On September 10, 2024, Children's Advocates for Change held a child poverty forum in East St. Louis at the Wyvetter H. Young Higher Education Campus. Children's Advocates for Change President Dr.Tasha Green Cruzat moderated the event, which…
More From Our Blog
From Twitter

From the President

"Our work is centered on the whole child, using a racial equity lens, which gets to the heart of the matter. Whether it is structural racism, discriminatory public policies, or lack of resources, our charge is to remove any barrier that keeps a child from reaching his or her highest potential."

– Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat

president tasha cruzat

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OFFICE LOCATION

Children’s Advocates for Change
c/o Impact House
200 W. Madison Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60606

Email: info@childrensadvocates.org
Main: 312-361-0101

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ASSOCIATIONS

Children’s Advocates for Change is a proud member the following networks:

Economic Analysis and Research Network

economic-analysis-research-network


Partnership for America’s Children

Notice of Non-Affiliation:
Children’s Advocates for Change is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way connected with Voices for Illinois Children (“Voices”). Voices is an independent advocacy organization that is powered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.