The porportion of low birthweight babies rose in Illinois by just under 1 percent between the years of 2000 and 2007, according to the new 2010 Kids Count data book recently released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. That statistic isn't particularily alarming; our rate tracks with the national trend. What's worrisome to health care advocates is that Illinois' budget crisis could force that rate to spike in coming years.

Why? Social services programs like the Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Case Management are on the chopping block. (DHS is slated to receive $310 million less than what it took in during FY 2010.) That means soon-to-be mothers in Illinois might see important expectant care services disappear at a time when they are most needed. From a release (PDF):

“In an effort to improve prenatal care and birth outcomes, Illinois also has long recognized the benefits of home visitation programs,” Kathy Ryg, President for Voices for Illinois Children, stated in a press release announcing report. “These programs provide supportive services to new and expectant parents, especially teenage parents, through home visitation to improve the parent-child relationship and to promote children’s healthy growth and development. All of these programs face the possibility of substantial budget cuts in FY11.”

The report also noted that more Illinois children were living in poverty in 2008 than in the year 2000. For more on the status of children in Illinois, read here.