Rural Illinois hit hardest by childcare crisis

(Public News Service/Illinois News Connection) — A new analysis shows that nearly half of young children in the U.S. live in childcare deserts. That number is even higher in Illinois, where the majority of counties lack adequate licensed providers for children under age five. In 2023, licensed providers could serve only about 31 percent of Illinois children in that same age range.

The Center for American Progress says the problem is particularly dire in smaller communities, creating a stark urban-rural divide. Casey Peeks with the Center says policymakers are rightfully focused on affordability issues, given childcare costs are out of reach for most American families, but adds that’s far from the only problem.

Illinois lost 33 percent of its child care providers over the last decade. Peeks says inadequate staffing leads to program closures and results in less options and higher costs for families. The state is currently consolidating its early childhood services into a new cabinet-level agency in an effort to streamline programs and improve access for families.

The average cost of childcare in Illinois is between $10,000 and $16,000. A childcare worker gets paid about $15.50 an hour on average. Hailey Gibbs, also with the Center for American Progress, argues the system doesn’t sufficiently prioritize children’s needs. While it’s often said childcare helps working parents, she describes the sector as a “pay-to-play” system that undervalues caregivers and early educators.

Gibbs says the data underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that address both cost and availability simultaneously, which starts with better wages for childcare professionals. She adds both state and federal lawmakers also need to address the lack of public investment that creates a profound disparity between what families can afford and what providers need to sustain and grow programs.

Judith Ruiz-Branch, Illinois News Connection

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Judith Ruiz-Branch is an award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience as a reporter/producer for TV, radio, print and podcast news. She's also served as a Spanish spokesperson and led communications, media and public relations team's at various organizations in Chicago. She began her career at WGN-TV in Chicago and went on to work for various news outlets including WBEZ Radio, Crain's Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune and WNIN Tri-State Media among others. Her bilingual reporting with WNIN earned her two Murrow Awards, most recently for innovation in the digital space. Her favorite stories to report on are health, human interest, equity, justice, and immigration.

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