GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER IS ANNOUNCING ONE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE.
THE MONEY WILL HELP FUND INITIATIVES TO GET MORE KIDS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN, CREATING A NEW DIVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO COORDINATE EFFORTS. 140 MILLION WILL GO TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS SAYS THE GOVERNOR.
A NEW DIVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD IS BEING CREATED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND A NETWORK OF COUNCILS WILL BE SET UP ACROSS THE STATE TO ENSURE COMMUNITIES HAVE THE SERVICES THEY NEED SAYS STATE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT CARMEN AYALA.
140 MILLION DOLLARS OF THE FUNDING WILL GO DIRECTLY TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO HELP PAY FOR THINGS LIKE STAFF, TRAINING, RENT AND SUPPLIES.