Dozens of protesters stood outside the Rock River Valley YMCA’s Children’s Learning Center on Wednesday, June 10th, to protest Illinois Gov. Pritzker. Signs read, ‘re-open now’ and ‘Masks are unhealthy,’

You might be wondering, why was Gov. Pritzker in Rockford? Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, The Children’s Learning Center in Rockford has remained open to care all for essential workers’ kids. US Rep. Cheri Bustos, State Representative Maurice West, and the Governor met to discuss the launching of a program that would call for an estimated $270 million in Child Restoration Grants which would help support facilities such as this one. This would be made possible through the state’s Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency (CURE) fund and would provide emergency relief to childcare workers.

Pritzker started off his press conference saying, “I know it wasn’t easy to implement all the new health protocols, in fact, I’m sure nearly difficult for centers like this to do it, let alone to guide children through the uncertainty and the hardship that COVID-19 has unleashed upon them and their families. You’re really doing heroic work and I am very grateful to your staff for what you do every day. Child care services are as much about a strong economy as they are about investing in our youngest generation. Both are critical aspects of building an Illinois that works for everyone.”

Watch the full video below: