Working families shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and peace of mind.

Joshua T. Atkinson knows firsthand that strong families build strong communities. But across Northwest Illinois, the lack of affordable, accessible childcare is pushing parents—especially women—out of the workforce and leaving children without the early development opportunities they deserve.

This is not just a family issue—it’s an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a community issue. It’s time Springfield stopped ignoring it.

The Problem: Childcare That Costs Too Much and Does Too Little

• Waitlists are months long for quality care across rural and small-town Illinois

• Childcare costs rival housing and college tuition, making it unaffordable for many working-class families

• Lack of providers forces parents to work fewer hours or leave jobs altogether

• Care deserts exist in every corner of District 45, limiting growth and family stability

• Providers struggle to stay open due to low state reimbursement rates and high compliance costs

When working parents can’t find care, employers lose workers, small towns lose population, and kids lose opportunity.

Atkinson’s Plan: Practical Solutions for Working Families

1. Increase Childcare Accessibility in Underserved Areas

Atkinson will advocate for targeted state and federal grants to expand childcare options in rural towns and care deserts, especially through partnerships with schools, libraries, and community centers.

2. Cut Bureaucracy for Providers

Simplify licensing and regulatory red tape while maintaining safety and quality, so that small providers can stay open and thrive.

3. Boost Support for Working Families

Expand eligibility and streamline access to Illinois’ childcare assistance program (CCAP), with an emphasis on middle-class families who currently fall through the cracks.

4. Strengthen the Childcare Workforce

Support better pay, training, and benefits for childcare workers so that early education remains a career, not a short-term stopgap.

5. Encourage Employer Partnerships

Promote public-private partnerships that offer on-site or subsidized childcare options to working parents, boosting workforce retention and productivity.

"Affordable childcare isn’t a handout. It’s a hand-up for working parents who want to contribute, raise strong families, and stay in our communities. We need less talk and more practical solutions."

— Joshua T. Atkinson

Take Action

• Volunteer to help bring affordable childcare to the forefront of this campaign

• Donate to support common-sense leadership for working families

• Share your story if you’ve struggled to find or afford care

• Vote for Joshua T. Atkinson and stand with parents, providers, and kids