ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – It’s a fight for a more stable and productive community, as business leaders across the stateline share their support for high-quality early childhood programs.

ReadyNation Illinois reports more than 91% of poll respondents support “greater public investments in high-quality childcare and early childhood education.” The survey registered half of those respondents as strong supporters.

Rockford-area leaders gathered at Summerdale Early Childhood Center Tuesday morning to discuss Ready Nation’s findings and read to the ready-to-learn preschoolers.

It can be a struggle to find affordable, stable childcare as a working caregiver. Emily Klonicki with Alignment Rockford says disjointed structures in care diminish a parent’s ability to be present and plugged in to their career.

“We have parents and caregivers who have to take off a lot of time, who have to be moving around during the day to move their child from place to place because they might have half-day care,” Klonicki said.

A poll from ReadyNation Illinois indicates a high costly fallout from childcare issues … from loss of work hours, wages or even employment.

“The more streamlined and the more we can bolster that institution around high quality education and childcare for our youngest residents, the more our current workforce benefits too,” Klonicki said.

80% of survey respondents also expressed difficulties in hiring workers with strong skills. Lesly Couper, the president of Workplace Staffing in Rockford explains skills deficits come with a cost, adding 95% of executives reported spending more on recruiting well-skilled candidates.

“We obviously have a very short-term need for workers in our community,” Couper said. “However, we can’t just think short term. We have to think long term.”

But, when asked about approaching workforce challenges over time, respondents indicated these public investments are important for helping working parents find and retain jobs and also preparing children for school and careers through a foundation of early learning.

“Early childhood is just to get them interested in learning, get them excited about learning and get them on the path to what it means to be a learner,” Couper said.

The survey also reports that nearly 89% of Illinois business leaders agree high-quality early childhood programs make local communities desirable for both businesses and employees.

ReadyNation supports Governor J.B. Pritzker’s “Smart Start” initiative, a multi-year plan which seeks to expand childcare services and make preschool available to every 3-and-4-year-old in Illinois.

Copyright 2025 WIFR. All rights reserved.