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.

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

East St. Louis Child Poverty Forum

State of Illinois Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

While it took several votes to approve the final revenue package, the Illinois General Assembly passed and Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a state budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (which runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025)[i]. The…

A Statement on Illinois’ new Child Tax Credit from Children’s Advocates for Change President Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat and Family Focus President Dara Munson

June 7, 2024 Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law today HB 4951 that, along with other measures, creates a refundable state Child Tax Credit (CTC). Illinois is now the 15th state in the country to offer a state Child Tax Credit.…

How a Child Tax Credit Can Improve Children’s Health

More than one in seven Illinois children or approximately 425,000 Illinois children lived in poverty in 2022. Of that number, just over 218,000 children (or 8% of all Illinois children) lived in households with incomes less than half of the…
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

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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

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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.