In Illinois, over 5,000 preschool seats have been made available for low-income families through the Smart Start Illinois program, initiated by Governor JB Pritzker. The goal of the program is to expand publicly funded preschool programs and ensure that 80% of all working families in the state have access to preschool seats. Since the program was approved by lawmakers in 2023, 11,000 seats have been added. The Early Childhood Block Grant, distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education, allocated $32.2 million for the 2025 fiscal year to 91 grantees, serving over 5,000 children. The funding provides support for both half-day and full-day preschool programs, as well as services for children under the age of 3.
Governor Pritzker emphasized the importance of investing in children from an early age, stating that it will benefit both the individual children and the communities as a whole. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton also expressed support for the program, highlighting the long-term positive impact that education can have on children’s prosperity and stability. Capitol News Illinois, a nonprofit news service, covers state government news for various outlets in the state and is primarily funded by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
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