GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER IS HITTING THE ROAD TO TOUT HIS PROPOSED “SMART START” EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 

THE FIRST STOP WAS AT SPRINGFIELD’S EARLY LEARNING CENTER WHERE THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE INITIATIVE, FIVE THOUSAND NEW PRE-SCHOOL SPOTS WILL BE ADDED ACROSS THE STATE. THERE’S ALSO A PLAN TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE WORKERS WITH BETTER PAY.

HE PROPOSES PUMPING 100 MILLION DOLLARS INTO EXPANDING AND BUILDING EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES.

SMART START ADDS FUNDING FOR EARLY INTERVENTION AND HOME VISITING EFFORTS AND DEDICATES CAPITAL DOLLARS TO EXPAND OR BUILD NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES.