Despite Chicago City Council meetings being open to the public to observe and for public comment, much of what impacts residents the most goes on behind closed doors, with only limited time for public comments
CHICAGO – During the Chicago City Council Committee on Education and Child Development meeting this week, there were many residents, representatives of organizations and even Aldermen who spoke out very strongly on the need for better childcare in the city of Chicago.
During the public comment portion of the meeting residents made several important points. Parents and childcare providers remarked that childcare is equally important for everyone whether they’re in the suburbs or the city, yet no where is there enough funding for parents to be able to afford high quality childcare outside the school system. With the high turnover rate and low pay, only some areas have quality childcare and all have co-pays that still make it impossible for parents to cover. Childcare workers remarked that they deserve a living wage as they aren’t babysitters, they are educators and must to besuch.