The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for parents to earn a living while ensuring their children are taken care of. Mothers have borne much of the brunt of this, with many being forced to remain home caring for children due to daycare closures and limitations.
Members of the Senate Republican Caucus are fighting to make sure that women can remain in the workforce and forced to be their family’s sole childcare provider.
SB 4164: CUT SALES TAX ON FOOD AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
SUMMARY:
Eliminate the 1% sales tax on food (i.e. groceries) and prescription drugs/medical devices. Since the entirety of the 1% sales tax from these purchases goes to local governments, there is a provision that would ensure the local governments continue to receive what they receive now, increased by CPI on an annual basis. Estimated taxpayer savings: around $434 million per year.
SB 4068: EXPAND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON ENERGY BILLS
SUMMARY:
Reduces the sting of high natural gas prices by offering financial assistance to middle class families.
SB 4186: CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT
SUMMARY:
Provides a refundable childcare tax credit to parents to help ease the rising cost of childcare and help parents get back to work. Credit would be equal to 25% of the federal tax credit. Parents with children 13-years old and younger with federal tax liabilities would qualify. Estimated savings of 37.5 million of working parents.
SB 4187: TAX CREDIT FOR COMPANIES PROVIDING CHILDCARE
SUMMARY:
Provides incentives to corporations providing childcare by increasing the tax credit for employers who offer childcare to their employees. Raises the tax credit from 30% to 50% of start up costs of a corporate childcare facility for the children of employees. Raise the tax credit from 5% to 20% annual amount paid to provide either on-site or off-site childcare for the children of employees.
SB 4188: FLEXIBLE CHILDCARE LICENSING
SUMMARY:
Works to address childcare deserts by requiring DCFS to adopt more flexible licensing requirements, specifically pertaining to worker qualifications, for areas with insufficient childcare options. This flexibility will allow childcare facilities to have more flexibility in hiring staff for childcare facilities.
SB 4189: CHILDCARE LICENSING REGULATION
SUMMARY:
Due to ongoing issues at DCFS, this legislation would shift licensing for childcare facilities from DCFS to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Facility visits for qualification and investigation procedures would remain under the jurisdiction of DCFS.