IAFC Statement on the Governor’s Proposed 2023 State Budget

GOVERNOR CONTINUES INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

IN PROPOSED BUDGET

Chicago – “Illinois…the state of our great state is STRONG…unbreakable…and enduring,” Governor JB Pritzker emphatically exclaimed during his State of the State and Budget Address delivered at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) applauds Governor Pritzker’s commitment to making Illinois a leading state for families with young children – from supporting the Child Care Restoration and Strengthen and Grow grants to expanding the Child Care Assistance Program, which allows families seeking work or school to access three months of childcare services at no cost. 

“The proposed $54 million increase in the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) is a significant step in strengthening the state’s early childhood programs and providing services to more than 7,100 additional children,” said IAFCs President and CEO April Janney, “We are pleased that the governor is continuing to make children and families a priority.”

Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY23 budget includes the following General Revenue Fund (GRF) funding levels for early childhood programs: 

• Proposed a $54.4 million increase for ISBEs Early Childhood Block Grant  
• Proposed level funding for Parents Too Soon at $6.9 million  
• Proposed level funding for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) at $410.6 million 
• Proposed nearly level funding for Healthy Families Illinois at $10.056 million 
• Proposed level funding for Early Intervention at $108.9 million

The stakes have never been higher for Illinois’ youngest children and their families, and we are encouraged to see that Governor Pritzker acknowledges that our children and those who educate and care for them are worthy of significant investment in the FY23 budget. 

While IAFC is pleased that the governor has met our funding request for the Early Childhood Block Grant, it’s only a first step. We will now encourage the governor and his administration to invest more in Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) programs that vitally impact families’ access to high-quality affordable childcare and early education, including:

• $1.7 million increase for evidence-based home visiting (Parents Too Soon, Healthy Families)
• $41.1 million increase for Child Care Assistance Program
• $10.9 million increase for the Early Intervention (EI) program

“Because of the diligent work of the Governor’s Funding Commission, we have a path toward equitable and full funding for Illinois’ early childhood programs and services,” added Janney. “However, the road is long. IAFC will continue advocating for increased investment in our essential early childhood workforce and the families we serve.”

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Illinois Action for Children  

As a state and national leader in the early care and education field, Illinois Action for Children is distinguished by its “Strong Families, Powerful Communities” approach to child development, Pre-K and Head Start, and other family and community supports. Learn more at www.actforchildren.org.   

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