Unregulated Explosion

The state of Illinois’ support for child care in Cook County has soared over the last four years, particularly for unlicensed providers. Since 1998, when the state implemented a program to help poor people pay for child care, the number of unlicensed providers receiving state money has grown by 71 percent, and the number of child-care centers by 49 percent.



Notes: Data are for fiscal years, which run from July 1 to June 30. ‘Unlicensed’ providers care for three or fewer children and don’t have to meet certain minimum standards, such as maintaining certain child-to-adult ratios or covering electrical outlets. Data do not include children served in Chicago Department of Human Services child-care programs. Of the county’s 1,033 child-care centers, about 68 percent accept subsidies.
Sources: Illinois Department of Human Services; Illinois Kids Count 2002; analyzed by The Chicago Reporter.