Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, child care centers across the state have stepped up to ensure the first responders, medical workers and other essential employees fighting on the front lines of this emergency can work with peace of mind that their children are being well taken care of.
The child care sector has been hit especially hard due to the pandemic, but is an important part of our economy and is invaluable to families throughout Illinois. Lawmakers like myself have worked with the governor to direct $270 million to help provide relief to child care providers and ensure they are able to stay open and available through Child Care Restoration Grants.
Applications to apply for the Child Care Restoration Grant will be available starting Monday, July 20. To assist providers in the application process, Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) will offer webinars on Tuesday, July 21 in English (10 a.m.) and Spanish (6:30 p.m.). To register or learn more, please visit www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants.
Licensed child care homes and centers in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State are eligible to apply if they can demonstrate a business interruption due to regulatory changes to child care due to public health and safety guidelines in response to COVID-19. Non-profit and for-profit providers are eligible to apply. Initial funds will be awarded in August.
If you have other general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois’ response and guidance, I encourage you to reach out to the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV. You can also stay up to date with announcements from the governor’s office and other state agencies at coronavirus.illinois.gov.
If you have any thoughts you’d like to share, or for more information on Child Care Restoration Grants, please contact my constituent service office at 847-486-8810 or info@gonggershowitz.com.
Sincerely,
State Representative, 17th District