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Illinois

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on August 24, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Illinois, we recommend that you visit the state's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Prioritized Essential Workers Child Care

Description of Program and Relief

In light of COVID-19, the children of prioritized essential workers are eligible to receive child care through the Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program.

Government or Lead Agency

Illinois Department of Human Services

Dates Available

Available now through duration of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Information on eligibility requirements is available here.

Children must be younger than 13, or younger than 18 with a special need, to be eligible.

To qualify, each parent/guardian in the home must be an essential worker, unable to work remotely. The parent/guardian who is applying must be a prioritized essential worker. Prioritized essential workers include those working in health care; human services; essential government services (such as corrections, law enforcement, and the fire department); and essential infrastructure.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

Call the Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies at 888-228-1146 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cook County residents may also text Illinois Action for Children at 312-736-7390 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

List of Additional Information

Please visit:

https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/news-item.aspx?ReleaseID=21355

https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/resources-for-families-and-children

https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD/Pages/For-Communities.aspx

http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=123536

To find emergency child care, please visit: https://emergencycare.inccrra.org/

To apply, please click here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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