Illinois business leaders focus on affordable daycare to develop skilled workforce

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois business leaders have identified affordable daycare options as a challenge to building a skilled workforce.

A recent survey by ReadyNation Illinois showed 91% of those polled supported greater public investment in child care and early childhood education, with business owners saying more investment in birth-to-5 services would help them attract and hire workers.

Lesly Couper, president of Workplace Staffing, who attended today’s meeting at Summerdale Early Childhood Center, at 3320 Glenwood Avenue, said, “We, obviously, have a very short-term need for workers in our community. However, we can’t just think short-term. We have to think long-term. So, how do we solve the issue of workforce development, starting when they hit preschool? That’s really important to building the future workforce.”

More than 4 out of 5 business leaders reported seeing employees struggling to find affordable child care.