'Huge childcare shortage' prompts loud calls for Chicago leaders to act

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Advocates and city leaders sounded the alarm about Chicago’s childcare crisis at a city council hearing, and alderpersons are now calling for action.

Studies show families are finding it difficult to afford childcare, while many others cannot even find such services. That reality has left parents figuring out how to balance work with making sure their kids get the care they need.

Erica Bland, senior vice president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare, said the system isn’t working for childcare workers either.

“There is a huge childcare shortage, and families need more childcare programs and spaces in their neighborhood, but there aren’t enough people who are willing to do this work at the wages that are currently being offered,” she said.

The current environment, she added, has childcare center workers and family childcare providers unable to support their families.

West Side Ald. Jason Ervin (28th)  asked Bland what would be adequate pay per hour for childcare workers.

“Our campaign has been a fight for $25, as a minimum, as a floor,” Bland said. “But we believe that it should be way more than that, if we’re talking about what true parity looks like.”

He and other alders, including Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) said the city must do something.

“The government has a job to do, and that’s to take care of its citizens,” Rodriguez said. “And the citizens that are providing for our young people are our most important workers; I’ll say it here today.”

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