In the News
Advance Illinois serves as a resource for media outlets from across the state and beyond on policy issues in education from birth to career. Here’s our recent coverage.
Illinois just made big early childhood investments. But services like daycare and preschool are nearly impossible for many families to access.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois proposal includes $250 million for early childhood programs this year: $100 million for facilities and a $40 million funding increase for early intervention services. He also talked about how difficult it is for families to find an open spot in preschools.
25 News Now: Advocates Testify in Support of Increased Early Childhood Investments
Advocates from several groups came to speak in support of "Smart Start Illinois" and the $75 million that would create new spots in preschools.
Budget Breakdown: Looking at 4 Parts of Pritzker's $49.6 Billion Spending Plan
Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday laid out a $49.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that calls for significant new spending for early childhood education and efforts to combat homelessness among other areas.
Governor Pritzker Proposes Universal Preschool and More Top Stories | First Listen
Advance Illinois applauds the governor's proposals but says the investment in education may still fall short in education funding adequacy.
My Turn | Never Have Our Students Needed a Strong, Diverse Teaching Force More
One of the most important responsibilities that our state and school districts have is ensuring that all students have great teachers to support their learning and development.

