Kane County Reporter

Illinois has seen a significant reduction in licensed child care providers over the last ten years, with a 33% decrease. This decline translates to the closure of nearly 4,300 facilities and a loss of about 38,000 licensed slots for children.

This shortage is driven by several challenges. According to Capitol News Illinois, there are "five big obstacles to opening child care facilities in rural Illinois."

The impact of this decline is particularly severe in rural areas where access to child care is already limited. The barriers faced by those attempting to establish new facilities contribute significantly to the ongoing crisis.

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