Families across Illinois are feeling the strain of escalating diaper prices, with many forced to dig into their savings or forgo essential bill payments to cope with the financial burden.
A recent survey conducted by the National Diaper Bank Network in 2023 revealed a stark reality: one in two caregivers faces diaper insecurity, unable to provide consistent access to clean diapers for their children.
Eric Mayo, policy manager at Brightpoint, emphasized the lack of viable options for families, noting that bulk purchasing isn’t feasible for many. Instead, families are compelled to purchase smaller quantities at inflated prices.
Mayo elaborated on the stark contrast between families experiencing diaper insecurity and those who aren’t. While the latter may casually mention having “a box” of diapers, those facing insecurity can pinpoint the exact number remaining and anticipate when they’ll run out.
In response to this pressing issue, legislation is making its way through the Illinois House of Representatives.
House Bill 545, spearheaded by Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, proposes a solution. It mandates the Department of Human Services to establish additional rates for childcare providers enrolled in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program to procure supplementary diapers for children in need.
Under the proposed bill, full-time program participants would be able to purchase 50 diapers per month per child under 3, with part-time participants allotted 25 diapers monthly. Moreover, those who exhaust their diaper supply wouldn’t face rejection from the program.
The estimated cost of the program, ranging from $4 million to $6 million, acts as a crucial safety net for families striving to ensure their children have an adequate supply of diapers. Governor JB Pritzker has also advocated for a $1 million pilot program to be included in the upcoming budget, aimed at distributing free diapers statewide.
Eric Mayo lauded these initiatives as a promising start. With families unable to cover diaper expenses through SNAP or WIC benefits, the responsibility increasingly falls on the state and social service providers.
“The proposal, HB 545, from Representative Mason truly complements what the governor is striving to achieve,” Mayo remarked. “It addresses critical pain points, where the absence of diapers can spiral into broader consequences within our societal framework.”
