Illinois Valley Times

Illinois families with children in diapers who qualify for benefits through the Women, Infants, and Children or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program know diapers they need are not provided by WIC or SNAP, but additional support for obtaining diapers is on the way.  

Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park) recently held her first diaper drive with six-drop off locations in the Carol Stream, Bloomingdale, and Itasca areas, according to The Caucus Blog.

Sanalitro’s diaper drive collected diapers and other essential items babies need and donated them to the Breakfast with a Baby Foundation, The Caucus Blog reported. The foundation provides families with clothing, toys, and diapers. The organization also offers a free breakfast during its monthly event at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

“The support from our community has been amazing,” Sanalitro said. “A big thank you to everyone who contributed to helping our neighbors and, most importantly, the babies in our district who need it the most.”

Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) has hosted holiday diaper drives for six years and donated more than 56,000 diapers in the Peoria area. On July 26, he thanked Sanalitro for joining his effort to introduce legislation that would provide families with a diaper allowance.

“Kudos to my friend and colleague, State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro, for joining me in working to address diaper shortages for families in need in Illinois,” Spain wrote in a Facebook post. “This is important work worth doing to provide for babies and families.”

In February, legislators in both chambers reviewed proposed diaper allowance bills that would give parents between $30 and $70 per month, per child for diapers, according to WCIA.

“Many people don’t realize that programs like WIC and SNAP do not pay for diapers, rash creams, or other infant supplies, Spain said. “Diapers are an essential and often overlooked need for families struggling financially.”

Senate Bill 1294 was introduced by Sen. Karina Villa on Feb. 2 and referred to the assignments committee on March 10, but no further action has been taken, according to the Illinois General Assembly (IGA) website.

If passed, the bill would have gone into effect on July 1 and would have given “$70 per month per eligible child if all of the following conditions are met: the person's household income is at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services and the person is responsible for the welfare of an eligible child.”

The allowance would apply to children 3 years old and younger in Illinois.

House Bill 0584 was introduced by Rep. Lakesia Collins on Feb. 3, 2021, and was re-referred to the rules committee on March 27, 2021, according to the IGA. The bill would give an allowance of $30 per child per month for households at or below 50% of the federal poverty guidelines and the child, which must be 3 years or younger, receives medical assistance under the Illinois Public Code. The legislation would have gone into effect on July 1, 2021.

Spain has served as a state representative for the 73rd District since January 2017, according to his state representative page.