CHAMPAIGN – To ensure parents returning to work can trust their children are in good hands, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging child care providers to apply for Child Care Restoration Grants to help their businesses cope with pandemic-related losses.
“Working parents need child care to do their jobs,” Bennett said. “While child care providers are dealing with the consequences of this crisis, this grant will help them safely reopen after months of financial distress.”
GRAYSLAKE — As parents gradually return to work outside the home, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is encouraging child care providers to take advantage of the $270 million Child Care Restoration grant program, included in the recently approved state budget.
“During the pandemic, we’ve seen a decreased need for child care, as more parents were forced to stay and work from home,” Bush said. “Now that our state is beginning to reopen and more parents have to return to work, many children will once again need a place to receive care during the day. This grant program will help child care providers stay open and reopen to accommodate the needs of returning parents.”
The Child Care Restoration grant program will dedicate at least $270 million of the state’s Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to support the economic needs of child care providers while the state’s economy reopens in the coming weeks.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Services, is responsible for the development of the grant program for licensed child care providers. The Child Care Restoration Grants will be overseen by the the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.
The recently launched “Intent to Apply” online survey can be found here. All information provided will impact the development of the grant program slated for release in July 2020. Eligible providers will receive their first installments later in the summer. The survey will remain open until 5 p.m. on June 19, 2020.
More information can be found here.
DEERFIELD - In an effort to ensure families have a safe place for their kids to return to as parents return to work, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is urging child care providers to apply for the Child Care Restoration grant program, which she supported as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 state budget.
“Without safe and reliable child care, many families won’t be able to return to work at a time when they need steady income more than ever to get back on their feet,” Morrison said. “Child care programs want to be able to serve families, but they are strapped for cash due to lack of money coming in during the pandemic. These grants will allow these facilities to be able to keep their doors open.”
The Child Care Restoration grant program will dedicate at least $270 million of the state’s Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to support the economic health of child care providers as the state’s economy continues to reopen in the coming weeks and months.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services, is charged with developing the grant program for licensed child care providers. The Child Care Restoration Grants will be administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.
The “Intent to Apply” survey launched Wednesday and is available online here. The information gathered will help grant writers create the grants, to be released in July. Eligible providers will receive their first installments later this summer. The opportunity to respond to the survey will close on June 19 at 5 p.m.
More information will be added to www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants. People are encouraged to continue to check back frequently for information and resources.
MARYVILLE – In an effort by the General Assembly to restore child care during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced a $270 million Child Care Restoration grant program, provided by the new state budget.
“For many parents, ensuring their quality child care providers have the resources for reopening safely is crucial to feel comfortable transitioning back to work,” Crowe said. “State funds are available for support, and I strongly encourage all eligible providers to apply.”
The Child Care Restoration grant program will dedicate at least $270 million of the state’s Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (CURE) Fund to support the economic health of child care providers as the state’s economy continues to reopen in the coming weeks and months.
As part of CURE, the Business Interruption Grants Program is specifically designed to support businesses that endure lost revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services, is charged with developing the grant program for licensed child care providers. The Child Care Restoration grants will be administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.
The “Intent to Apply” survey launched Wednesday and is available online here. The information gathered will help inform the development of the grants program to be released in July 2020, and providers will receive their first installments later this summer. The opportunity to respond to the survey will close on June 19, 2020 at 5 p.m.
More information will be added towww.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants. People are encouraged to continue to check back frequently for information and resources.
SPRINGFIELD – After hearing concerns from childcare providers about the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) made it a priority to ensure funding was available to keep them afloat.
The General Assembly recently approved this year’s budget, contained in Senate Bill 264, which provides funds for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Grant Program for childcare and daycare providers who have had to close their businesses during the current pandemic.
“My colleagues and I recognized the challenges childcare providers have faced during this unprecedented time,” Bennett said. “Parents have to be able to go back to work and concentrate on what they’re doing in order to support their family so childcare is critical. I’m glad we were able to provide support by designating funds to this pressing issue.”
Childcare centers are one of the many types of businesses that were widely affected by the closures required during the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, childcare providers can only operate at a limited capacity to care for children of essential workers.
The grants will be distributed through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity once the program is established and funds are made available.
SPRINGFIELD –After hearing concerns from childcare providers about the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) made it a priority to ensure funding was available to keep them afloat.
“Childcare providers from across my district reached out to me with concerns about having to permanently close without financial support,” Lightford said. “I went to Springfield with their concerns in mind, and I am glad we were able to drive funds to this important issue.”
CHAMPAIGN - State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is confident in the state’s cautious approach to reopen child care centers when the Central Region enters phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, likely next week.
“As businesses begin reopening and Illinoisans prepare to return to work, child care is a top priority for many families,” Bennett said. “The availability of child care that enables them to go to work is crucial. New guidelines have been put in place for child care centers to plan and prepare for a safe reopening.”
The Stay at Home Order issued on March 20 and amended on April 20 closed all child care programs, later establishing an emergency childcare structure to provide care for essential workers.
Under phase 3 and 4 of the governor’s reopening plan, all child care facilities will be able to open, as long as they create their own reopening plan that keeps both children and staff safe and healthy, and adhere to the guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
That plan must include what to do if a child or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, daily symptom checks and a face covering requirement, among other things.
Under the governor’s plan, no more than 10 children will be allowed in a classroom at a time for four weeks. After that, if the center has met proper health, social distancing and sanitation requirements, it will be able to expand to larger group sizes.
Additionally, child care programs that have been open since the start of the Stay at Home Order will be allowed expand capacity as their region enters phase three.
“Reopening child care centers will not only relieve parents when they return to work, but it will also give children access to educational resources in a safe learning environment,” Bennett said.
All regions of the state are on track to move to the next phase as early as May 29.
SPRINGFIELD – With businesses planning to reopen as soon as May 29, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced that childcare facilities will be able to help when parents return to work.
“Many parents have reached out expressing how overwhelmed they are as they try to balance work from home, e-learning and other new roles that they have taken on,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Childcare centers will soon reopen and help lift a weight off their shoulders.”
PLAINFIELD — State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) announced a plan for a gradual reopening of child care centers has been put in place, as parents prepare to return to work.
“I know there are concerns from parents who are worried they will not be able to return to work because they do not have reliable child care,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I’m pleased childcare facilities will safely reopen soon, so families can start to get back to some normalcy.”