South Cook News

Illinois senators have introduced a legislative package aimed at making childcare more affordable for families and businesses throughout the state. The announcement was made by Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran, together with State Senators Erica Harriss and Darby Hills.

"Investing in childcare is investing in Illinois families and businesses," Curran stated. "Our legislative package is a holistic approach that empowers families, businesses, and the state to work together to provide both immediate relief and long-term structural improvements to childcare in Illinois."

The state has seen a loss of nearly 4,300 licensed childcare providers, or about 33 percent, in the past decade, according to Capitol News Illinois. In response, Curran filed Senate Bill 1120 to address staffing shortages and provide financial relief to families in regions with few childcare providers.

The legislation includes the creation of a loan forgiveness program called the Child Care Providers Working in Child Care Deserts Student Loan Forgiveness Act. This program would offer up to $4,000 per year for undergraduate degrees and $8,000 per year for graduate degrees for providers in underserved areas, for up to two years.

The bill includes other provisions, such as extending daycare license renewals from three to four years, free online training for childcare providers by July 1, 2026, and raising income eligibility for childcare assistance to 250% of the federal poverty level starting in fiscal year 2026.

Senate Bill 1121, co-sponsored by Harriss, aims to modernize licensing rules in childcare deserts, reducing red tape and adjusting licensing requirements to fit local needs. "Just like roads and bridges, childcare is infrastructure," said Harriss. "It keeps our communities connected, our economy moving, and our families supported."

Senate Bill 2382, introduced by Hills, proposes an income tax credit for property donations to employers for onsite childcare facilities. "This doesn't just address a regional issue, it's a statewide crisis affecting families of every income level and background," Hills noted. She also introduced Senate Bill 2277 to increase the income tax credit for businesses offering childcare services to their employees.

A childcare desert is defined as an area with limited licensed childcare availability. Specifically, it is a census tract with more than 50 children under age five and either no providers or not enough for at least three children per available childcare slot.

For more information on the legislative package, a video of the entire press conference is available for viewing.