As Second Child Tax Credit Payments Hit, Schneider Hosts Conversation with Tenth District Mothers

Above: Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) talks about the benefits of the Child Tax Credit payments with mothers (right to left) Merced Alfaro, Guadalupe Patino, Sandra Camarena, and Maria Colunga

ROUND LAKE, Ill. – As the second round of monthly Child Tax Credit payments arrive to American families, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) Friday hosted a conversation with Round Lake mothers Merced Alfaro, Sandra Camarena, and Guadalupe Patino to discuss how the newly-expanded Child Tax Credit will benefit Tenth District families like theirs. Schneider was also joined by Maria Colunga of the Lake County Bilingual Family Engagement Coalition. Video from the event can be accessed here.

As part of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March, hardworking families can expect advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit of up to $300 per month, per child. The Child Tax Credit will lift 8,500 children in the Tenth District out of poverty and is expected to cut the national child poverty rate in half.

"There is no greater investment we can make to secure our future than investing in our children, guaranteeing that they can pursue the skills they need to succeed. The American Rescue Plan delivered a middle class tax cut for working families with the Child Tax Credit. With kids going back to school soon, the CTC will help families cover expenses like food, clothing, school supplies and technology. This critical support will lift millions of children out of poverty nationwide and will provide a safety net that is long overdue. I was grateful to speak with Merced, Sandra and Guadalupe today to hear how the Child Tax Credit will help them care for their children," said Congressman Brad Schneider.

"For parents, the Child Tax Credit means peace of mind, food on the table, paying bills, and especially paying for technology," said Maria Colunga, Lake County Bilingual Family Engagement Coalition Liaison.

"What does the CTC mean for me and my community? This is a huge help. We have a large Hispanic community in this area. We are essential workers. We are immigrants with children. We can use this money to pay for utility bills, food. We need to keep working toward this community. Thank you so much to our representative, for listening to our voices. I hope that he continues coming," said Round Lake Mother Merced Alfaro in Spanish.

"The Child Tax Credit means more technology and resources for my family," Round Lake Mother Sandra Camarena said in Spanish.

"The Child Tax Credit means being able to pay for high speed internet and my son's laptop for college," said Round Lake Mother Guadalupe Patino in Spanish.

More resources about the CTC are available on the IRS website in English and Spanish here.

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