Building on the state's response to support families of essential workers and child-care providers throughout Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. JB Pritzker announced an expansion of eligibility to support essential workers' child-care needs and an increase in financial support for emergency child-care centers and homes.
All essential workers in healthcare, human services, essential government services and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state's Child Care Assistance Program. The state will cover most of the cost of care that emergency child-care centers and homes provide. This expansion of eligibility includes those working as nurses and doctors, supporting staff in hospitals, grocery store clerks and food producers.
Full details and applications for assistance are available on the Department of Human Services website, DHS.illinois.gov/HelpIsHere, and Coronavirus.illinois.gov .