Report: Illinois budget cuts would harm children in poverty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Child advocates releasing an annual report say Illinois state budget cuts would hurt children who live in poverty.

The report by Voices for Illinois Children released Thursday found that poverty among Illinois children remains high. It warns that longer-term economic issues are keeping the trend going.

The report said that about 21 percent of Illinois children lived in households below the poverty level in 2013.

One author of "Illinois Kids Count 2015" says deep cuts proposed for next year's state budget would be "very harmful" to children.

Larry Joseph says Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget could push working parents deeper into poverty. He cited a proposed freeze on help for school-age children in the state's child-care program.

Rauner's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.