Community Corner

Cost of Childcare in Illinois Among Worst in Country

A new study ranks Illinois as the 6th least affordable state for infant care, costing 15% of median income for married couples.

Do you feel like you’re paying an exorbitant amount for childcare? That’s because you probably are.

According to a study released this week by Child Care Aware, parents in Illinois pay among the highest percentage of their income for childcare at centers, including in-home daycares. The study did not look at care from nannies or family members. It is based on data from 2012.

The federal government considers childcare affordable if it costs up to 10 percent of a family’s income. Yet the study found that the cost exceeded that percent in 38 states and the District of Columbia. In all states, the cost was more than 10 percent of income for single parents.

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In Illinois, care for an infant cost on average $12,700 a year, the study says. That’s 15 percent of the median income for a married couple and 52 percent of the median income for single mothers, placing Illinois on the list as the 6th least affordable state for childcare.

Illinois also made it onto the list of least affordable states for care of a 4 year old. The study says it cost on average $9,300, which is 11 percent of a married couple’s income and 38 percent of a single mother’s income, earning it the No. 9 spot on the list.

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Overall, the cost of childcare is rising year over year, the report says.

Click through to read the full report.

How do you handle the high cost of childcare? Do you sacrifice on other expenses or has one parent decided to stay home because of the financial burden?


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