Early childhood programs in Illinois budget

April 26, 2009

During the current legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly and the governor are debating whether to protect or cut funds to early childhood programs, such as Preschool for All, home visiting and child care. Funding for early childhood programs should be protected because these programs provide essential services to vulnerable children and families and are vital to the health of our state.

Cutting prevention programs such as home visiting and early childhood education does not save the state money in the long run. Investments in the healthy development of our state's most vulnerable children reduce future costs associated with the child welfare and criminal justice systems.

To show our support for early childhood funding in Illinois, the Ounce wrote letters to the editor in The Daily Journal (Kankakee) on April 10, the Daily Herald on April 20, and The State Journal-Register on April 26.

Visit our Advocacy Action Center to get news on the budget process and to contact your legislators to show your support for early childhood programs.



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