Central Illinois Is Proud - Lawmakers and Moms

News Article

The average cost of child care is more than it costs to send your kids to college.
Local moms, college students and community leaders are fighting to level the playing field.

They were in East Peoria Monday at Illinois Central College.

U.S. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Illinois Democratic Representative Cheri Bustos joined them, furthering the discussion about raising the minimum wage, equal pay, affordable child care and better access to health care for women.

They say while a lot has been done, there's a lot of work still to do.

And suggest some answers can be found right in our community.

United States Representative Cheri Bustos (R-17) said, "The community college environment offers a lot of opportunities for the women, who are sitting here, to get a leg up and to succeed."

United States Senator Dick Durbin (D) added, "I just believe that the investments made in these children, early in life, will make America a stronger nation, will make families stronger."

The Child Care and Development Block Grant to help pay for child care was first signed into law in 1990 by then President George H.W. Bush.

But since then, some politicians claim there's been a lack of funding for the program.
A vote to re-authorize the block grant is expected next month.

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