Durbin Highlights Legislation To Address High Cost Of Child Care For Working Families
CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable discussion with child care providers, parents, and local leaders to discuss the high cost of child care for working families. Durbin has co-sponsored several bills aimed at helping Illinois families manage the increasing costs associated with raising a child.
“High-quality, affordable and reliable child care is a necessity for Illinois’ working families,” Durbin said. “That’s why I’m proud to support legislation that provides increased funding for child care programs, invests in early childhood educators, and ensures that no family has to choose between access to work and investing in their child’s future.”
The cost of child care has increased by 25 percent in the past decade, forcing many parents to choose between paying for child care and leaving the workforce altogether. Scientists, educators, economists, and public health experts agree that the developmental foundation for success begins during pregnancy and is built through age 5—making quality early childhood education crucial. Two of the bills the Senator has introduced are the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act and The Child Care for Working Families Act.
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act
Last week, Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with 19 Senate colleagues, introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act. In Illinois, the average annual cost of child care for a toddler is $11,982 and $13,474 for infants. This amount exceeds what many families pay annually in rent or for attending a four-year public university.
Specifically, The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act would:
- Make the full Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit available to most working families: This bill would make the full credit available to families with income under $120,000. The current phase-down of the credit begins at $15,000 of income.
- Put more money into a family’s pocket: The bill increases the maximum credit from $1,050 to $3,000 per child (age 0-13), up to $6,000.
- Ensure lower income families see a benefit: The bill would make the credit fully refundable to make sure those with the greatest need see a benefit.
- Retain the value over time: The bill would index benefits to inflation to ensure they keep up with ever-growing costs.
The Child Care for Working Families Act
Earlier this year, Durbin joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 32 of their colleagues in re-introducing legislation to help ensure low- and middle-income families have access to affordable and high-quality child care. The Child Care for Working Families Act would ensure that no family under 150 percent of the state median income pays more than seven percent of their income on child care, invest in training and compensation for child care workers, and expand access to high-quality preschool for low- and middle-income 3 and 4 year olds.
- Make the full Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit available to most working families: This bill would make the full credit available to families with income under $120,000. The current phase-down of the credit begins at $15,000 of income.
- Put more money into a family’s pocket: The bill increases the maximum credit from $1,050 to $3,000 per child (age 0-13), up to $6,000.
- Ensure lower income families see a benefit: The bill would make the credit fully refundable to make sure those with the greatest need see a benefit.
- Retain the value over time: The bill would index benefits to inflation to ensure they keep up with ever-growing costs.
The Child Care for Working Families Act
Earlier this year, Durbin joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 32 of their colleagues in re-introducing legislation to help ensure low- and middle-income families have access to affordable and high-quality child care. The Child Care for Working Families Act would ensure that no family under 150 percent of the state median income pays more than seven percent of their income on child care, invest in training and compensation for child care workers, and expand access to high-quality preschool for low- and middle-income 3 and 4 year olds.