DEERFIELD — After hearing concerns from child care providers about the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them, Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) supported funding to allow them to continue the vital services they provide for families. 

“Child care providers across the state have faced financial challenges after the public health crisis led them to shut their doors,” Morrison said. “Families rely on the care and education these facilities provide, so supplying them with funding was a priority of mine and a priority of the General Assembly.”

Lawmakers recently approved this year’s budget, which provides funds for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Grant Program for child care and day care providers who have had to close their businesses or reduce their capacity during the current pandemic.

Child care centers are one of the many types of businesses that were widely affected by the closures required during the COVID-19 outbreak. Until the start of Phase 3 of the reopening plan, child care providers could 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. The first step is Governor JB Pritzker signing the budget into law.