As your constituent, and on behalf of the one in two families in this country who cannot afford diapers, I strongly urge you to prioritize making diapers more affordable this session. Diaper prices have increased over 30 percent since 2019. Combined with the fact that there is no public benefit to purchase diapers, families are feeling the stress of purchasing this basic need now more than ever. There are two actions you can take right now that will reduce instances of diaper insecurity in our community and across the state. 1. Support the Governor’s diaper program in the proposed budget. This $1 million dollar proposal recognizes the important role diapers play in a young family’s life 2. Support funding for early childhood providers to provide a supplementary supply of diapers. A lack of diaper should not prevent a child form accessing the benefits of the early childhood care and education system in Illinois. Yet, one in four caregivers experiencing diaper insecurity report missing school or work to care for a child due to a lack of diapers. House Bill 545, sponsored by Representative Joyce Mason, would require the Department of Human Services to establish add-on rates for CCAP providers to purchase diapers for families who need them. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I strongly urge you to support our neighbors in Illinois in accessing this vital, basic need.

Dear [Recipient], I am reaching out to you today as a concerned constituent, representing the many families across our state who are struggling to afford diapers for their children. The rising costs of diapers, which have increased by over 30% since 2019, are placing undue financial stress on families already facing economic challenges. I urge you to prioritize making diapers more accessible and affordable during this legislative session. With no public assistance currently available for diaper purchases, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to provide this basic necessity for their children. There are actionable steps that can be taken immediately to address this pressing issue and reduce diaper insecurity in our community: 1. Please lend your support to the Governor's proposed diaper program in the budget. This $1 million initiative recognizes the critical role that diapers play in the lives of young families and can make a significant difference in alleviating financial burdens. 2. Additionally, backing funding for early childhood providers to supply diapers can help ensure that all children have access to quality early care and education. House Bill 545, sponsored by Representative Joyce Mason, seeks to establish add-on rates for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) providers to purchase a supplementary supply of diapers for children who need them, reducing instances where caregivers must miss work or school due to diaper shortages. I implore you to consider these actions and support our fellow Illinois residents in securing this essential basic need. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]

As a concerned citizen addressing our shared responsibility to support families across Illinois, I implore you to prioritize the pressing issue of diaper accessibility and affordability in the upcoming legislative session. The escalating costs of diapers, coupled with the absence of public assistance for such essential items, have placed an undue burden on countless households in our community. With prices surging by more than 30% since 2019, the financial strain on families attempting to secure this basic necessity has reached a critical juncture. To address this urgent matter and alleviate diaper insecurity for numerous families statewide, I urge you to take action on two key initiatives: 1. Please throw your weight behind the Governor’s proposed diaper program in the upcoming budget. This $1 million allocation underscores the indispensable role that diapers play in the daily lives of young families struggling to make ends meet. 2. Additionally, I urge you to champion funding for early childhood providers to provide supplemental diaper supplies to children. It is imperative that a scarcity of diapers does not hinder a child's access to early childhood care and education programs. House Bill 545, championed by Representative Joyce Mason, seeks to require the Department of Human Services to introduce add-on rates for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) providers to procure diapers for children facing this critical need. Your support for these measures will go a long way in assisting our neighbors in Illinois to access this basic need. Thank you for your efforts in supporting families in Illinois.