Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is doing his part to try to help relieve child care centers who are hurting for workers. Pritzker announced that reimbursement rates for child care providers will see increases by 20% under the Child Care Assistance Program.

In order to address the daycare workforce crisis, rates for all child-care centers and home-based providers will increase by 5% statewide with 15% for providers in counties that are classified as rural.

State Senator Andy Manar hopes that this move will improve access to child-care and boost wages for workers. “I commend Governor Pritzker for working with downstate legislators on a bipartisan budget that prioritized Illinois’ child-care woes. These rate increases are much needed, especially in underserved communities. These investments will provide relief to child-care centers that are struggling to keep their doors open and is a step toward ensuring every working family, no matter your ZIP code or economic status, has access to high quality child care.” 

Montgomery, Macoupin, Macon, and Christian County will see 20% increases with Madison and Sangamon seeing a 5% increase. 

The state also announced that there will be $3 million for training and education as well.