Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) is taking a bold step to address the childcare needs of first responders, trade workers and other parents with non-traditional working hours. A bill introduced this week and sponsored by Kifowit aims to appropriate $1,000,000 to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a new grant program, providing tax incentives and credits for child care providers offering non-traditional hours of care.
Reflecting on the bill,. Kifowit said, “This legislation is a direct response to the needs of our dedicated first responders and trade workers who work tirelessly, often during unconventional hours. It’s essential that we provide them with the support they need to ensure their children receive quality care.” She added, “this bill aligns with our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive community.”
In December 2023, Kifowit represented Illinois at the annual Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) Conference in Washington, D.C.. The conference brought together thousands of women from across various industries to learn, connect, and share their passion for making the trades industry a more inclusive and equitable place for all.
Recent data compiled by the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C. based think tank, revealed that more than 203,000 Illinois children under the age of 6 have parents working non-traditional hours–defined as working before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. during the week and anytime on weekends. These parents, employed across various sectors like restaurants, hotels, retail, hospitals, and entertainment venues, face challenges due to the limited operating hours of most child- care centers.
Although previous legislation has focused on offering night or sleep-time child care for third-shift workers, this new initiative goes beyond those limitations, seeking to provide grants to programs accommodating a broader spectrum of non-traditional hours.
This bill builds on Kifowit’s commitment to child care initiatives. In 2023 she helped ensure that the State’s budget made generational investments in early childhood education and childcare, including a $130 million allocation for Childcare Workforce Compensation Contracts, prioritizing stability for providers and raising wages for childcare workers.
For more information, please contact stephanie.kifowit@att.net.
— Illinois State representative Stephanie