Peoria Standard

Illinois House Republicans are actively working to address diaper shortages through donation drives that aid families with young children. State Representatives Jennifer Sanalitro (R–Hanover Park) and Ryan Spain (R–Peoria) have each hosted annual diaper drives, increasing public awareness of this issue.

Rep. Sanalitro recently completed her third annual Diaper Drive, which concluded on May 16, 2025. Donations were collected at her district office in Carol Stream and included diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials. The contributions were delivered to the Breakfast with a Baby program at Our Savior Lutheran Church, supporting over 1,400 families and distributing more than 87,000 diapers in 2024 alone.

Rep. Spain conducted his seventh annual Holiday Diaper Drive in December 2024. The event gathered over 14,000 diapers and 16,000 wipes, totaling more than 82,500 diapers since the drive's inception. A drive-thru donation event was held at Illinois Central College’s North Campus in Peoria. Donations were distributed to food pantries and crisis centers throughout the 73rd District.

The National Diaper Bank Network reports that nearly half of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford enough diapers. Diaper costs can exceed $1,000 per year per child, forcing difficult choices between necessities for many families.

“Programs like WIC and SNAP don’t cover diapers,” Rep. Spain stated during his drive in 2024. “Diapers are an essential need for families struggling financially around the holidays.”

Rep. Sanalitro expressed gratitude for community support: “The support from our community has been amazing,” she said.

As diaper costs rise and public programs fall short of covering these needs, community initiatives remain crucial. Both Sanalitro and Spain plan to continue their efforts into 2026 and beyond.