Expand availability of child care

In August, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a remarkable advisory that identified parental stress as an urgent public health issue. A parent’s top job is ensuring the well-being of their children, but the advisory notes that maintaining a family’s financial stability, among other concerns, is a source of considerable pressure.

The advisory further identifies employers as a group that has a stake in addressing the burden on parents. This matches my observations as president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. I’ve seen the toll that juggling family and work responsibilities can take on employees and employers alike.

One challenge many parents face is finding child care when their job requires attendance during weekends, evenings and overnight. The Urban Institute estimates that more than a third of Illinois children under age 6 have parents who work non-traditional hours. If these parents can’t reliably access quality care for their children during their working hours, employers shoulder the costs of absenteeism, turnover and lost productivity. A recent report from ReadyNation — a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of business leaders to which I belong — found that Illinois’ economy loses $5 billion annually due to childcare challenges, including inadequate access during off-hours.

The good news is that Illinois is in a period of historic opportunity to expand access to high-quality child care, including during non-traditional work hours. Over the next two years, the state will plan for a Department of Early Childhood, a new state agency. At the same time, the Illinois Department of Human Services and partners are conducting important research into off-hours child care availability. Leaders involved in planning the new department should use these opportunities to expand the availability of child care during nontraditional hours. Parents and employers alike will benefit, as will our state’s economy.

Margaret Perreault, President & CEO

Batavia Chamber of Commerce