Otter: This looks easy

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.


News And Events
Aug 8The Chicago Reporter’s Fernando Diaz has been awarded the 2008 Emerging Journalist of the Year from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Diaz will be honored at the association’s 23rd annual Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala held Sept. 12 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.