On the recordMarch 13, 2014
across the country every day millions of Americans are working in low-wage jobs, going back to school to increase their skills in order to pay their bills and take care of their families. They do their best to balance work and family obligations, but too many moms and dads really struggle with the high cost of quality, safe childcare. One out of three families with young children earns less than $25,000 a year, and childcare can cost $4,800 to $16,000 a year. In many parts of the country childcare for two children now exceeds average rental payments. According to a recent report by Child Care Aware America, in more than half the States--including my own State of Illinois--it costs families more to put an infant in childcare than to cover tuition and fees in a public college. In many parts of the country, childcare for children now exceeds average rental payments. Low-income families spend almost half their salaries on childcare. It is a significant part of the family's budget. Child care and development block grant is an important program that helps low-income working families with the cost of childcare and afterschool programs. This program serves more than 1.6 million children in the United States every month. In Illinois, more than 50,000 children receive support.…





