Parents, Providers and Advocates Mark Early Childhood Advocacy Day By Demanding Lawmakers Invest in Child Care for All

Child care is in crisis – but we know Illinois elected officials have the power to fix it. So on Early Childhood Advocacy Day this year, parents, providers, and advocates gathered in Springfield to urge lawmakers to take action by delivering real investment in young children, early learning programs, and our workforce. 

As part of the Illinois Child Care for All Coalition, we rallied and met with legislators to tell our stories. Early childhood educators talked about how low pay makes it hard for child care workers to stay in the job they love. Parents told them about what it’s like to face long waitlists, uncertain whether they’ll be able to afford the care they need if space ever opens up.

Together, advocates, parents and child care providers called on lawmakers to increase funding so Illinois can move closer to our vision of winning Child Care for All.