Peoria Standard

State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac) wants to be sure what taxpayers are paying for with the extra $54 million that’s earmarked for early education on the new state budget.

“I appreciate the conversations and I agree that if we don’t get our kids off on the right step, they have trouble and are behind pretty much through high school,” Bennett said during a Feb. 8 House Appropriations-Elementary and Secondary Education Committee hearing on the issue of funding for the next budget in early childhood education.

“This $50-some million used to expand programs, perhaps more hours, more kids,” he said. “And then, also, increase in salaries. Can someone talk to me in more specifics about how that money breaks down. Where are we at today and where is this $54 million going to get us to?”

Illinois Council for a Strong America Director Sean Noble told Bennett state officials are focused on a plan that expands programs for children and strives to make sure that the overall system remains one of high quality.

“The state board does have a set aside of several million dollars, and I can’t remember the specific amount, but they have talked about this, also about trying to focus more on the workforce matters,” Noble said. “The breakdown is going to be in the details coming in the weeks ahead. Typically policymakers are looking very much at how many more children can we add to programs and one of the messages that we want to send is that we really need to ensure that we are thinking more about that salary compensation, benefits side of the equation because that would help to shore up quality.”

In recently revealing his 2023 fiscal year budget, Gov. J.B. Pritzker highlighted a 10% increase in funding for certain early childhood programs, including an additional $350 million for evidence-based funding for K-12 schools, a $96 million increase for transportation and special education and a $54 million hike for early childhood education.

Current funding for other early childhood programs would remain in place, including early intervention (EI), the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and IDHS-funded home visiting programs.

Chalkbeat Chicago reports the increase in education spending that Pritzker outlined during his recent State of the State and Budget Address marks the first such action since the COVID-19 pandemic hit roughly two years ago.

Pritzker’s plan also addresses the issue of a lack of minority educators by increasing funding for minority teacher scholarships and sets aside some $230 million to go toward underfunded colleges across the state.