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State Profiles
Illinois
Since 1998, Illinois's pre-kindergarten program for at-risk children has been funded through the Early Childhood Block Grant, of which 11 percent is set aside for children age birth to three. To improve the access to and quality of this program, the Early Learning Illinois (ELI) advocacy and policy campaign was launched in 2002. ELI comprises several member organizations including: Voices for Illinois Children, Ounce of Prevention Fund, and Action for Children. ELI works in partnership with other organizations such as Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois and Chicago Metropolis 2020 to ensure that all children are healthy, eager to learn, and ready to succeed by the time they enter kindergarten.
Governor Rod Blagojevich made expanding early childhood education a key issue of his gubernatorial campaign in 2002. Once elected, he and the General Assembly created the Illinois Early Learning Council to develop a high-quality early-learning system available to all children age birth to five by expanding, improving, and better coordinating existing early childhood programs and services. ELI partners serve on the Council's 12-member executive committee and so play a key role in the council's decision making. Over 200 organizations have taken part in the Council's efforts to develop detailed recommendations to improve program quality, professional development, system coordination, and integration as well as expansion.
2005 proved to be an important year for advancing pre-k for all in Illinois. The governor and legislature funded the third and final installment of a promised three-year, $90 million expansion of the state preschool program, and the Early Learning Council completed a comprehensive set of recommendations to phase in pre-k access for all three and four year olds in the state as well as services for at-risk infants and toddlers, which was adopted by the governor in 2006 and approved by legislators. Preschool for All is expected to expand over the next five years and, when fully funded, serve 190,000 children per year.
Key Milestones
1985
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Illinois Prekindergarten Program for Children at Risk of Academic Failure enacted. |
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| 1997 |
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Early Childhood Block Grant established, combining funding for pre-k and birth-to-3 programs. Eligibility for all state-assisted child care for low-income families established. |
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2002
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Rod Blagojevich elected governor with pledge to increase pre-k funding by $90 million and to work toward pre-k access for all Illinois children. |
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2003
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The first $30 million increase for the Early Childhood Block Grant is passed. Community child care programs given direct access to pre-k funds. Illinois Early Learning Council created to make recommendations for a comprehensive early learning system for all families. Eligibility guidelines for state-assisted child care updated from 1997 levels, giving thousands more families access to care. |
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| 2004 |
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The second $30 million increase for the Early Childhood Block Grant was passed. Work begins to ensure improved training of early childhood teachers. |
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| 2005 |
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Third $30 million increase passed, realizing the governor's promised $90 million increase. Proposed budget cuts avoided in home-visiting programs for at-risk infants and toddlers. |
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| 2006 |
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Gov. Blagojevich uses his annual budget address to announce a multi-year “Preschool for All” plan that would provide voluntary, high-quality pre-k to all three and four year olds whose parents want it. Based on recommendations by the Illinois Early Learning Council, the plan envisions a phased-in expansion, beginning with an increase of $45 million for the Early Childhood Block Grant in FY2007, which the legislature approved. The plan is hailed by early education advocates who estimate that it will help 32,000 more children enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready to succeed. |
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| 2007 |
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Gov Blagojevich proposed a $69.4 million increase for the Early Childhood Block Grant in FY2008 to continue phasing in the "Preschool for All" plan, with another $10 million dedicated for pre-k facilities development. However, due to competing budget priorities, the legislature was only able to appropriate an increase of $25 million to the block grant, or $22.25 million for pre-k in FY2008. |
Pre-K Champions
Governor Rod Blagojevich and numerous legislators have provided strong bipartisan support for expansion of high-quality early-childhood programs. In addition, these groups of state legislators have embraced early childhood education as a top policy priority: the Conference of Women Legislators; the Latino Caucus; and, the Black Caucus.
Next Steps for Illinois
Illinois's pre-k program for at-risk children has steadily grown in reach and quality, thanks to important work by advocacy groups and funding increases approved by a visionary governor and state legislature. Similarly, the state's system of child care support for low-income families has grown stronger with the improvement of eligibility standards.
Now, Illinois is at a significant crossroads. As in other states, serious budgetary challenges remain a formidable obstacle. Yet, support for pre-k comes from all sectors in Illinois and is growing. Steady expansion of programs for at-risk children and a growing national reputation have created momentum to make quality early learning available to all Illinois children.
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Meeting the Challenge of Rural Pre-K
Families everywhere struggle to find high-quality pre-k programs for their children, but the problem is even more acute in rural areas. Pre-K Now has come out with recommendations for federal policymakers to help states meet the unique challenges of rural pre-k.
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Video: Briefing on America's Pre-K Movement
Pre-K Now held a briefing for congressional staff, cosponsored by Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Kit Bond, on October 1. Hear what a governor, three superintendents, two directors of early childhood programs, and a national teacher of the year think Congress should do to increase families' access to quality, state-funded pre-k.
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Find High-Quality Pre-K
With Our Checklist
Quality is key to unlocking pre-k's many benefits. Learn what to ask about and look for when choosing a pre-k program for your child.
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Tour a Pre-K Classroom
Through our virtual classroom tour and our short video following real children through their pre-k year, we will help you recognize high quality, understand why it makes a difference, and show you how children benefit.
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