IL SR0954

Declares April 2-8, 2022 as the Week of the Young Child and April 30, 2022 as El Dia Del Niño (Children's Day) in Illinois.

Recognizes early childhood educators' complex, valuable, and essential work, emphasizing that investing in educators also benefits children and families.

Urges all communities to support efforts that increase access to high-quality early childhood education for all children and families.

Acknowledges that 916,880 children birth through age five live in Illinois, with 19% in families at or below the federal poverty level and 69% having all available parents in the workforce.

Notes that payment rates for early childhood educators serving low-income children are insufficient to cover quality care costs and that many educators lack equitable access to needed credentials and degrees.