Our kids deserve better
With massive funding shortfalls looming and thousands of child care facilities likely to close, faith leaders must stand in the gap for our children.
In a world gripped by political instability and violence, it's easy to overlook domestic challenges that can be just as devastating. A case in point is the closure of 70,000 child care facilities across the United States, an issue that demands our attention as faith leaders, particularly here in Chicago.
The funding, part of the American Rescue Plan Act that congressional Democrats passed in 2021, included $24 billion in child care stabilization grants. These funds offered a temporary reprieve to providers grappling with the multifaceted challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic — improving workers' compensation, covering rent and utilities, and purchasing essential supplies.
Now, with the lapse of this funding, an estimated 70,000 child care programs are projected to close, affecting 3.2 million children and causing states to lose $10.6 billion a year in economic activity. The ramifications are not just economic; they affect the most vulnerable layers of our society. Child care providers that manage to keep their doors open will likely have to hike daycare costs or cut staff salaries. These cutbacks will hit lower-income families hardest, particularly affecting mothers who have returned to work at record rates since the pandemic but are now faced with skyrocketing child care costs. According to LendingTree, the average cost of child care in the U.S. stands at $11,752 per year—a figure that's been rising faster than inflation.
Proposed legislation by Democrats to inject an additional $16 billion over five years into child care subsidies has found little support among Republicans. In this charged political climate, where the House of Representatives has been thrown into disarray and the international arena is rife with conflict, this domestic issue seems to be taking a back seat. But for families already facing inflation at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the health care system, this is not a secondary issue; it's a crisis.
As faith leaders, we have a moral obligation to stand in the gap. Our ministries extend beyond the walls of our churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. Our role is not merely to preach but to act, embodying the love and justice that our respective faiths espouse. This is not a moment for empty rhetoric or political partisanship; it's a time for decisive action.
We must mobilize our congregations to check on families and individuals who operate and work at child care facilities. Offer your premises as a forum for town hall meetings where parents and providers can brainstorm solutions. Use your platforms to amplify the voices of those who are most affected by these closures, advocating for those who often don't have a voice in the public sphere. Partner with local nonprofits to offer temporary child care services, leveraging your volunteer base to ease the burden on affected families. Most importantly, lead your congregations in prayer and active support, embodying the God of love and justice we all seek to serve.
These measures are not mere stopgaps; they're embodiments of the faith we profess every week. As faith leaders in Chicago, we have the opportunity to set a precedent for other communities to follow. This is our call to action. This is our moment to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless families in our city and, by extension, our nation.
In times like these, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenges we face. But we are not powerless. Rooted in faith and driven by a love that seeks justice, we can be agents of change. When future generations look back at this moment, let them see a faith community that rose to the occasion, that acted as the hands and feet of a loving God in a world desperate for hope.
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The Round Up
Here are the stories that caught our eyes this week and what they mean for the weeks ahead.
Chicago Interfaith leaders condemn murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoumi
A group of interfaith leaders met in the Loop Wednesday to denounce the murder of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoumi. Prosecutors say the boy was targeted because of his Muslim faith.
Tensions have risen between supporters of Palestinians and Israelis in the wake of the Hamas attack and Israel’s military assault on Gaza. Photo credit: Ted Eytan
Representatives of a number of faith groups, including the Mecca Center, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, and Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, joined together to offer their sympathy for the boy’s family and to speak out against violence.
The group also condemned hate speech and called on the media and government officials not to highlight content that discriminates against people because of their race, ethnicity or religion.
Chicago delegation tours Texas migrant camps; calls for feds to declare Chicago ‘disaster zone'
A group of Chicago City Council members this week traveled to Texas to visit El Paso, San Antonio, McAllen and Brownsville to better understand the migrant crisis at the border.
Mayor Brandon Johnson initially indicated he would travel to the southern border, but his office later said Beatriz Ponce de Leon, deputy mayor of immigrant, migrant and refugee rights, would lead a small delegation there.
The City Council members spent much of Wednesday touring base camps and shelters in El Paso. The area is not usually one where migrants stay for long.
Chicago’s Public Health Department losing $100 million as COVID grants dry up
Chicago’s Department of Public Health could face a budget shortfall of more than $100 million in 2024 with the end of COVID pandemic-era grants.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget recommendations earmark $76.8 million from the city’s general fund for the health department. That’s around a $6.5 million increase over this year’s funding.
But even with those added funds, the department’s overall budget will see a nearly 10 percent drop. Nearly 90 percent of the department’s $888 million budget for 2024 comes from grants.
Newsclips
Chicago protests demand ceasefire in Gaza after hospital bombed amid Israel-Hamas war
New Chicago police boss wants cops to be more aggressive
Cook County announces domestic violence intervention and support services initiative
Metra receives $169 million grant for zero-emission trains
City Council members grouse about being blindsided by special events that inconvenience residents
Housing
Want to buy a house? Here’s how much you need earn to afford one in Chicago
Will city follow through on downtown affordable housing plan?
Migrant crisis
Illinois Congressman rips Texas governor for ‘man-made crisis’ amid migrant bus influx in Chicago
This Chicago principal creates a sense of belonging for migrant students and their families
City workers struggle with language barrier at bus ‘landing zone’ for migrants