WILL; a production of Illinois Public Media.

Bridgett Vance, a home-based daycare provider in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood, comforts a child. Vance is one of more than 15,000 home-based daycare providers in Illinois’ Child Care Assistance Program negotiating a contract with the state over pay and benefits.

217 Today: After caring for little ones, Illinois’ home-based child care providers often make minimum wage — or less

The 217 Today Podcast