Kendall County Times

Sue Rezin, State Senator of the Illinois State Senate, expressed her concerns about the lack of representation for childcare providers during a hearing on Oct. 17th. Rezin addressed the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules subject matter hearing, emphasizing the need for a voice for those working in daycares.

During the hearing, Rezin confronted the committee about the accuracy of the data and information used to support their decisions. She stated, "In last month's testimony, you testified there were 300 complaints lodged against classroom aides during this time frame and that data and facts were used to come to your conclusion." However, Rezin presented information obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request that contradicted the committee's claims. According to the FOIA data, there were actually 214 complaints lodged, with only 23 of them being substantiated.

Rezin emphasized the importance of presenting accurate information and providing a clear picture of the situation. She highlighted the discrepancy between the committee's testimony and the actual data, stating, "These are two completely different pictures and information that was provided to this committee to justify why you are trying to enforce this rule."

Furthermore, Rezin expressed frustration on behalf of private and licensed childcare programs, stating that their voices have not been heard. She argued that these programs have been providing effective services during the pandemic and deserve representation at the decision-making table. Rezin said, "When you talk about stakeholders sitting at the table, it feels that the advocacy groups are at the table and they are being addressed, but the people who are actually working in the daycares feel they don't have a voice."

State Rep. Sue Rezin has been serving the 38th district in Illinois since December 2010. She is a member of various committees, including the Early Childhood Education Committee, where she serves as the minority spokesperson.

In recent news, Marc Smith, the former director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, announced his resignation. Smith had faced multiple instances of contempt of court for delays in placing children in state care. The agency has also been subject to numerous audits that revealed issues with timely reporting of child abuse.

It is worth noting that in July, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules criticized the agency's emergency rules regarding daycares and aides in classrooms. As a result, the rule was suspended.

The concerns raised by Rezin shed light on the need for fair and accurate representation for childcare providers and the importance of considering their perspectives in policy decisions.