HR0778 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0778 LRB093 21655 HSS 49247 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It has been proven that quality childcare and early education for children is critical in determining a child's future success in school and life; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 1.1 million children in Illinois under the age of five and about 60% or 600,000 of these children have working parents and are cared for during the day by another adult; and

WHEREAS, It is essential that the State of Illinois take a leadership role in improving the childcare and early education options available for Illinois families; and

WHEREAS, Early childhood workers and home providers play a crucial role in providing high-quality experiences for young children; and

WHEREAS, Currently over 55,000 childcare and early education workers and home providers in Illinois care for over 195,000 low-income children in daycare homes and centers through the Illinois Childcare Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, These workers and providers provide quality care to both meet the care and educational needs of young children and make it possible for approximately 97,000 low-income families to go to work; and

WHEREAS, The average wage for these workers and home providers is between $2 and $8.60 per hour depending on the care setting, and the majority of these childcare workers and home providers live below the poverty line; and

WHEREAS, The overwhelming majority of workers and home providers do not receive health coverage nor other benefits; and

WHEREAS, Turnover rates among these providers and workers range up to 44% due to the low wages and few benefits; and

WHEREAS, Monthly State reimbursements to childcare providers are frequently delayed by up to four months causing great hardship; and

WHEREAS, Currently the State provides little or no recognition or reward for training, education, and length of service for these providers; and

WHEREAS, Home child care providers are not currently permitted to bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we will work with the Governor's Office to implement policies which attempt to achieve the following goals: (1) that all families have the right to accessible, affordable, quality childcare; (2) that all children, parents, workers, and providers who receive and provide child care are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect; (3) that all home child care providers and childcare workers have the right to join or form a union in order to bargain collectively; (4) that all home child care providers and childcare workers have the right to earn a living wage and receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick days, and holidays, affordable health insurance, and a secure retirement; and (5) that all providers have the right to be reimbursed by the State in a timely fashion to ensure that children receive the services they need; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois Childcare Assistance Program.