Gov. Pritzker Highlights Childcare Efforts in Villa Park, Champaign

Illinois State Governor JB Pritzker
Illinois State Governor JB Pritzker

 Gov. Pritzker Highlights Childcare Efforts in Villa Park, Champaign
 
FY24 Early Childhood Grants will expand childcare access for families across Illinois

VILLA PARK, CHAMPAIGN— Governor JB Pritzker joined local leaders and early childhood stakeholders at two daycare facilities to highlight recent efforts and funding for the Smart Start Illinois Plan. In Villa Park, the Governor visited Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley to celebrate the $300K investment in Birth to Five Illinois funding, which will support the consolidation of their local early childhood services. In Champaign, the Governor stopped at First United Methodist Child Care Center, where he highlighted the $3M of Smart Start Childcare funding. Both contributions come from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

“For far too long, childcare has been either unavailable, unaffordable, or both,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Smart Start’s nation-leading investments ensure that parents can access this vital resource alongside other essential supports to give their children the tools to succeed as early as possible.”

"We know that 90% of a child's brain has developed by age five. Smart Start is ensuring every child in Illinois has the very best start in life,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “By providing support for our youngest Illinoisans and the people who care for them, we are laying the foundation for a thriving society and a thriving Illinois."

The Smart Start Illinois Plan consists of three major initiatives:

Increasing funding to create 20,000 new preschool seats over four years and improve overall access and care quality, Raising childcare worker wages to bring stability to the field and enhance programming, Expanding access to home visiting and early intervention services for thousands of children and families Fiscal support for these initiatives focuses most prominently on the FY24 Early Childhood Block Grant Program, which will see a $75M increase per year for four years to eliminate early childhood education deserts by 2027, and the first-in-the-nation Smart Start Childcare Workforce Grants, providing $130M to increase childcare worker wages. In FY24 to date, 4,139 childcare programs have received a total investment of over $147K. These funds have impacted over 30,000 childcare workers and 166,000 children.

Easterseals Dupage & Fox Valley works to build inclusive communities with advocacy so every child can have access to services and opportunities for healthy development. Through providing therapy services to more than 2,901 local families, the organization ensures empowerment for children dealing with autism, developmental delays or other disabilities.

First United Methodist Child Care Center (FUMCCC) is licensed by DCFS, and serves approximately 100 families in Urbana, Champaign, and surrounding areas. Through Creative Curriculum, FUMCCC responds to children’s individual needs and provide teacher-directed activities and child-initiated activities to create a welcoming and enriching environment.

“The investment laid out to expand early childhood education continues us on a path that makes quality learning more accessible and closes equity gaps across the state,” said Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville). “This initiative offers new services, uplifts childcare workers, and creates enhanced school programs to give families confidence in choosing Illinois schools to educate their children.”

“Smart Start Illinois is our continued investment for the next generation of Illinoisans,” said State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This funding bolsters our education workforce, childhood development and ensures every child in our community has access to a high-quality learning environment.”

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