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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Hundreds of people from across Illinois were in the Capitol rotunda Tuesday advocating for early childhood investments.
Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton joined We The Village, Raising Illinois, and Child Care for All in asking lawmakers to stand up for the state’s youngest children.
Pritzker hopes Democrats and Republicans will support his Smart Start Illinois plan with investments in preschool, child care, early intervention, and early childhood facilities. The governor is calling for $250 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to launch the program.