Governor Pritzker Announces New IDHS Division of Early Childhood, Planning Council Network, $1.6 Billion in Federal Aid for ECE

Governor Pritzker has announced the creation of a new Division of Early Childhood as part of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This new division will strengthen and centralize child care, home visiting, and early intervention services within IDHS.

In addition, the governor said that Illinois will receive $1.6 billion in federal aid for Illinois early childhood education and care. This will include $140 million in direct grants to child care providers over the next three weeks, in addition to the $290 million granted to child care providers earlier in the pandemic.

To fully take advantage of these federal funds while acting on priorities outlined by the Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding, the governor also announced the creation of a network of statewide early childhood planning councils to ensure all communities have access to needed early childhood services.

Read more about these new developments on the Governor’s Office website.