A Unified Agency in Illinois: Making Access to Early Childhood Simpler, Better, Fairer.

The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation creating the Department of Early Childhood, a cabinet level State agency that will administer programs for young children that are currently spread across three agencies. This change will impact programs that serve children in schools, early childhood centers, family childcare and through home visiting. In the current system, this fragmentation results in duplicative paperwork, inconsistent eligibility requirements, and other inefficiencies that frustrate families and deny children the quality care and learning they deserve. This fragmentation is not new nor unique to Illinois. In this session, we will hear from both some of the State leaders who helped secure passage of this legislation for a new agency, as well as national leaders who understand the promise of a unified, quality system for young learners.

Planning is underway to launch this new agency in 2026, a key step towards making Illinois the best State in the nation to raise a young child. Please join us as we explore the promise that the new agency holds and the critical roles that each of us — parents and providers, district leaders, higher education leaders, advocates and funders — have in making the vision a reality. This will be the first in a series of conversations on the important work underway to transform early childhood in Illinois.

Speakers

Swati Adarkar, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Policy and Early Learning, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education

Jenna Bannon, Associate Director, Children & Families Program, National Conference of State Legislatures

Katie Hamm, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development at Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Ann Whalen, Early Childhood Transition Director, Illinois State Board of Education