Raising Illinois

06/05/2026

Calling all child care providers in suburban Cook County!

LeadCare Cook County is paying to cover all the costs to identify and replace lead service lines for child care providers—but the program will no longer accept enrollments after July 2026. Space in the program is limited, and time is running out to receive safer water for FREE. Secure your spot by visiting LeadCareCookCounty.org/Replacement

06/04/2026

Raising Illinois appreciates the Illinois General Assembly for its continued investment in our state’s system of supports for expecting families, infants and toddlers in the spending plan for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027), approved early Monday, June 1 and now awaiting Governor JB Pritzker’s signature. However, the final budget maintains current funding levels for most programs, deviating for the second year from Governor Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois initiative.

The final budget for FY 2027 includes a combined $80.25 million in new state funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers, the Child Care Assistance Program, Early Intervention (EI) and the Diaper Distribution Pilot Program, as well as $85.8 million for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) to begin administering all core early childhood education and care programs for the first time.

Read our full statement:

June 1, 2026 Raising Illinois’ Response to Approved Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget Our state’s prenatal-to-age-3 coalition celebrates notable increases for primary care hospitals and some early childhood programs-but most critical services for expecting families, infants and toddlers remain under...

06/04/2026

Don't Forget to Register! Raising Our Voices: This Year's Progress & The Road Ahead

On June 17th, Raising Illinois is bringing the coalition together for a conversation centered on the Spring 2026 Legislative Session and our plans for 2027. Panelists will discuss what moved forward this spring for infants, toddlers and expecting families, along with updates on IDEC ahead of the department's official launch in July.

During this event you will:

-Get an update on what advanced in Fiscal Year 2026 and during the Spring 2026 Legislative Session
-Learn more about the IDEC transition happening July 1
-Hear about our priorities for Fiscal Year 2027
-Learn how you can get involved & take action on behalf of our state's infants, toddlers and expecting families

Register Today: https://bit.ly/4f3TA02

05/28/2026

Did you get a chance to hear Start Early's Karen Berman & Gaye Duyurucu on the Morning Show with Rufus Williams? If you missed it, don't worry, you can still listen to this incredible interview in which Gaye shares her full-circle moment of advocating for Early Intervention as the mother of a micro-preemie.

Listen here:
Part 1: https://bit.ly/4tZR0vK
Part 2: https://bit.ly/4fN84BJ

With the ILGA set to approve the FY27 state budget by May 31, there's still time to take action for early intervention! Contact your legislators here to let them know that our babies can't wait! https://bit.ly/4afSNWr See less

Every person deserves to have their voice heard and their perspectives considered when decisions are being made. Join us in speaking up for policies that put children and families first.

05/27/2026

ICYMI: Check out the FOX News Illinois coverage of ECAD! View an interview with Family Leader Kesha Harris here: https://bit.ly/4wUMaT9

And view Family Leader Stephanie Jimenez' interview here: https://bit.ly/4dE3aEk

We're so proud of our Family Leaders! With just a few days left in the legislative session, there's still time to take action for early intervention! Contact your legislators here to let them know that our babies can't wait! https://bit.ly/4afSNWr

05/26/2026

On June 17th, Raising Illinois is bringing the coalition together for a conversation centered on the Spring 2026 Legislative Session and our plans for 2027. Panelists will discuss what moved forward this spring for infants, toddlers and expecting families, along with updates on IDEC ahead of the department's official launch in July.

During this event you will:

-Get an update on what advanced in Fiscal Year 2026 and during the Spring 2026 Legislative Session
-Learn more about the IDEC transition happening July 1
-Hear about our priorities for Fiscal Year 2027
-Learn how you can get involved & take action on behalf of our state's infants, toddlers and expecting families.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4f3TA02

05/26/2026

El 17 de junio, Raising Illinois reunirá a la coalición para mantener una conversación centrada en la Sesión Legislativa de primavera de 2026 y en nuestros planes para 2027. Los panelistas abordarán los avances logrados esta primavera en beneficio de los bebés, los niños pequeños y las familias gestantes, además de ofrecer actualizaciones sobre el IDEC de cara al lanzamiento oficial del departamento en julio.

Durante este evento, usted podrá:
-Recibir una actualización sobre los avances logrados durante el Año Fiscal 2026 y la Sesión Legislativa de primavera de 2026.
-Obtener más información sobre la transición del IDEC que tendrá lugar el 1 de julio.
-Conocer nuestras prioridades para el Año Fiscal 2027.
-Aprender cómo involucrarse y tomar medidas en favor de los bebés, los niños pequeños y las familias gestantes de nuestro estado.

Regístrese Hoy: https://bit.ly/4f3TA02

05/20/2026

We're still buzzing with energy from being in community with so many advocates at Early Childhood Advocacy Day last week! Check out photos & video from the day here: https://bit.ly/49dr5t6

With just a few days left in this legislative session, there's still time to take action for Early Intervention! Let your legislators know that ! https://bit.ly/ACT4EI

Look through photos of advocates across the state who gathered in Springfield for Early Childhood Advocacy Day 2026

05/18/2026

Thank you so much for attending Early Childhood Advocacy Day with us last week! We had a great day at our state's Capitol speaking with legislators on the importance of investing in our youngest Illinoisans and the workforce that supports them!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYXNQTMPqON/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==