North Cook News

Illinois state Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) believes money the state received from the federal pandemic relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act has been put to good use by helping child care providers recover from the global health crisis. 

Gillespie highlighted the issue with a social media post where she shared a graphic that stated Illinois has lead the nation when it comes to child care recovery, with more than $1 billion in relief during the pandemic. She also encouraged constituents to visit the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to learn more about programs available.

"Our child care providers are tasked with educating the next generation of leaders," Gillespie wrote. "New and recently dispersed funding providing support for child care centers have helped them maintain stability."

Illinois has set aside almost $500 million in pandemic relief funds from the federal government specifically for the Child Care Development Block Grant Program, Effingham Daily News reported. Another $798 million was sent to other child care grant programs.

The City of Evanston received more than $43 million from the American Rescue Plan, $4 million of which was designated for social service. According to the Evanston Round Table, the Evanston Early Childhood Council had asked for $1.77 million to help offset the costs they acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Evanston Early Childhood Council planned to use $500,000 of the $1.77 million to give their employees "equity/hazard" pay.

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization that connects families with early care and education options, as well as providing educational and other resources. Some of the programs that the INCCRRA provides include: Gateways to Opportunity, Great START, Illinois Trainers Network, and ExeleRate Illinois.