Rural Illinois hit hardest by childcare crisis

By Judith Ruiz-Branch • Illinois News Connection

Nearly half of young children in the U.S. live in childcare deserts, according to a new analysis from the Center for American Progress.

The problem is even more pronounced in Illinois, where the majority of counties lack adequate licensed providers for children under age 5. In 2023, licensed providers could serve only about 31% of Illinois children in that age range.

The center says the shortage is particularly dire in smaller communities, creating a stark urban-rural divide.

Casey Peeks, senior director of early childhood policy at the center, said policymakers are right to focus on affordability, because childcare costs are out of reach for many families. But she said cost is not the only barrier.

“You could make childcare free for every family living in a rural community tomorrow but that’s not going to solve the access piece,” Peeks said. “We both need to bring down the cost for families but we also need to think about supply solutions.”

Illinois lost 33% of its childcare providers over the last decade. Peeks said inadequate staffing leads to program closures, resulting in fewer options and higher costs for families.

The state is 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 year. A childcare worker is paid about $15.50 an hour on average.

Hailey Gibbs, associate director of early childhood policy at the center, said the system does not sufficiently prioritize children’s needs. While childcare is often discussed as a support for working parents, she described the sector as a “pay-to-play” system which undervalues caregivers and early educators.

“That seems to really reflect a misunderstanding about child development and the needs of young children,” Gibbs stressed. “Also the returns that children see in their education, in their health outcomes, even in their adult earnings when they have these kinds of really enriching early opportunities.”

Gibbs said the data underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address cost and availability at the same time, starting with better wages for childcare professionals.

She said state and federal lawmakers also need to address the lack of public investment, which creates a profound disparity between what families can afford and what providers need to sustain and grow programs.