Preschool funding in Illinois has been cut by more than 55-million dollars over the last several years and now law enforcement leaders are calling on lawmakers to stop the bleeding.  Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons says early learning programs make a huge impact in kids' lives.

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Nearly 18-thousand Illinois kids have been cut from preschool programs.  Calhoun County has seen the worst impact with all of its state funded preschools eliminated.  Effingham County has seen a 97-percent elimination and Massac County has seen an 89-percent cut.  A new report called "Penny Wise and Pound Foolish,"  indicates the cuts will cost taxpayers far more than it will save, estimating future lifetime costs of 200-million dollars for each group of at-risk children denied access to preschool.  The law enforcement officers are asking legislators to expand preschool funding and curb future criminal behavior.