Through our Ahlquist Center for Policy, Practice and Innovation, Children’s Home & Aid utilizes the collective voices, skills, and wisdom of our staff, volunteers, and advocacy partners to actively engage our lawmakers, rule makers, and supporters by providing education and information to ensure sound public policies on behalf of children and families.
Diaper Legislation
On February 8th, Children’s Home & Aid’s Policy team, along with members of the Illinois Diaper Bank Coalition, joined State Representative Lakesia Collins and State Senator Karina Villa, who introduced legislation to create a monthly diaper allowance for Illinois families. If passed, Illinois will become the third state in the nation to offer a diaper allowance, joining California and Washington.
Diaper need is a serious challenge experienced by approximately 1 in 3 caregivers. Those experiencing diaper need cannot afford to keep their child clean and dry; often stretching for hours without a diaper change or using inadequate options as a substitute. This can lead to irritation, prolonged diaper rash, UTIs, or even long-term health issues. Not only can diaper need lead to medical issues for children, it has an economic impact on caregivers. One study showed that for every $1 in diaper aid given to a family, personal income went up $11.
“Time and time again, conversations around child neglect fail to recognize the impact of poverty on families and how an inability to meet basic needs can lead to involvement with the child welfare system.” Mike Shaver, CEO & President at Children’s Home & Aid said. “Our core belief is that the greatest asset a child has is their family, and this effort to end diaper need supports strengthening families and working with families to meet basic needs and prevent poverty from being confused with neglect.”
“No one should have to choose if their lights are going to be on, what they pay for life saving medication, if their child will be able to have their diaper changed or not,” Representative Lakesia Collins said. “This is one step forward in the right direction for our state to ease some of these burdens off the families.”
“The financial burden diapers place on low-income families has health implications for our little ones,” State Senator Karina Villa shares. “I am excited to continue working alongside Representative Collins and Children’s Home & Aid to push for legislation that will make diapers accessible for families across the state.”
“These babies can’t speak for themselves, they can’t drive here to Springfield, and talk to their state legislators and ask them to help,” Lee Ann Porter, the founder of the Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank, said. “We’re going to keep standing up and talking about it until every baby in Illinois, regardless of if they live in a small rural community or a large urban one, that every baby has access to the diapers that they need.”
For more information on the legislation, please contact Eric Mayo of Children’s Home & Aid at (312) 424-6872 or via email emayo@childrenshomeandaid.org.
For more Diaper Resources:
Ahlquist Center 2022 Policy Agenda
Testimonies
- March 22nd, 2023 – Submitted Testimony Before House Human Services Appropriations Committee on Department of Human Services Budget
- March 22nd, 2023 – Testimony before Senate Early Childhood Committee and House Child Care Access and Availability Committee on Home Visiting Programs in Illinois
- March 8th, 2023 – Testimony Before House Human Services Committee on HB 1347 – Creating a Diaper Allowance for Illinois Families
- October 24th, 2022 – ISBE Budget Hearing Testimony
- March 11th, 2021 – Testimony before Senate Human Services Appropriations Committee on DHS Budget
- February 15th, 2022 – Submitted Testimony to House Human Services Committee on HB 4242 – Expanding CCAP to Cover More Child Welfare Involved Families
- February 9th, 2022 – Submitted Testimony Before Senate Revenue Committee on SB 4057 – Reducing the Tax on Diapers and Baby Wipes
- February 8th, 2022 – Testimony Before Senate Health Committee on SB3853 – Increasing Services to Families Receiving Extended Family Support Services
- February 8th, 2022 – Testimony Before Senate Health Committee on SB 3747 – Expanding CCAP to Cover More Child Welfare Involved Families
- February 24th, 2021 – Testimony Before House Human Services Appropriations Committee on DHS Budget
- October 21st, 2021 – ISBE Budget Hearing Testimony
- March 31, 2021 – Budget Testimony Before Senate Human Services Appropriations Committee
- March 15, 2021 – Budget Testimony Before House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
- March 10, 2021 – Testimony Before House State Government Administration Committee on HB 594 – Creation of the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council
- December 10, 2020 – Testimony Before Senate Appropriations and Education Committees
- October 12, 2020 – ISBE Budget Hearing Testimony
