CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker discussed child-care Sunday as part of his daily address as many parents still need child-care for their children as they continue to work.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced an expansion of eligibility to support essential workers’ child care needs and an increase in financial support for emergency child care centers and homes.
He began by encouraging children who can stay at home to do so. He added that this means not going out with friends to have “play dates.”
However, Pritzker said, not all kids can stay at home. With some parents still working, some children have to go somewhere to be watched.
Effective April 1st, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program.
The state will cover most of the cost of care provided by emergency child care centers and homes.
Full details and applications for assistance are available on the Department of Human Services (IDHS) website DHS.illinois.gov/helpishere.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 899 new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 31 additional deaths.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 11,256 cases, including 274 deaths, in 71 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years.
