Legislation aimed to help parents in need pay for diapers

SPRINGFIELD (25 News Now) - Keeping children in fresh diapers is costly, especially as prices continue to rise.

A Democratic state lawmaker is proposing legislation intended to help families in need pay for them.

“Being a new parent is hard and caring for young children is one of the toughest jobs in the world, on top of worrying about additional financial burdens that the job might present,” said State Sen. Karina Villa, who’s from West Chicago.

“This legislation will lighten the load and help caregivers and young children all over our state,” Villa said.

The diaper allowance would only be available to families that are at or below 100% of federal poverty guidelines and could only be used for diapers.

Advocates of the bill say infants and toddlers need on average 12 diapers a day, meaning diaper costs could climb to between $80 and $100 a month.

The senator said she remembers during her time as a social worker that some families would ask for diapers instead of toys during the holidays.

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