In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) reformed federal programs that supported families. The Act unified three separate programs that provided assistance to families for child care. Collectively, these programs became the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program (CCDBG). In 2013, a Reauthorization of the 1996 CCDBG was proposed. The bill was signed into law in November 2014. This law was the first revision to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program since 1996.

The newly reauthorized CCDBG significantly revised many aspects of the CCDF Program for States. Among these revisions included guidance on the way States should promote equitable opportunities for families and providers. CCDBG requires that a State's Lead Agency must conduct either a Market Rate Survey (MRS) or an alternative methodology, such as a cost estimation model. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) conducts a Market Rate Survey. (author abstract)