Illinois
Our 2012 Policy Priorities
In 2012, America’s Edge members will be urging their state legislators and Congressional delegation to do the following:
a. State Policy Priorities:
- Maintain full funding in the FY 2013 for the Early Childhood Education Block Grant (“Preschool for All”) and seek to restore the 5% FY2012 cuts to the program; and
- Maintain funding for the Illinois child care assistance program.
b. Federal Policy Priorities:
- Fighting against cuts, and where possible seek increases, for Head Start, Early Head Start and both the discretionary and mandatory funding streams of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG);
- Working to improve the quality of Head Start/Early Head Start and CCDBG through the reauthorization of these programs.
Did you know that in Illinois:
- 3.2 million children (to the age of 18) live in the state;
- 1 out of every 3 children live in a household with only one parent;
- 67 percent of eighth graders are below grade level in math;
- 67 percent of fourth graders are reading below grade level; and
- 21 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a high school diploma.
Legislative Meetings
On May 2, 2011, America’s Edge members Kevin Weinacht, President of Weinacht & Associates, Wendi Valenti, Executive Director of the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce and Karen Wilson, Owner of Karen Wilson State Farm met with Representatives Dwight Kay (R) and Thomas Holbrook (D). Our members introduced America’s Edge to Kay and Holbrook and made the case to maintain funding for Preschool for All.
L-R: Wendi Valenti, Rep. Thomas Holbrook (D) and Karen Wilson
- L-R: Wendi Valenti, Kevin Weinacht, Rep. Dwight Kay (R) and Karen Wilson
America’s Edge Releases New Report
America’s Edge Illinois in the News
- The Belleville News-Democrat‘s story about the release: “Local business leaders say early learning programs are key to economic recovery“
- The Collinsville Herald Journal’s story about the release: “Local leaders call for more education money”
- The Alton Telegraph‘s story about the report release: “Leaders urge state to invest in early education“
- The Suburban Journal‘s story about the release: “Local leaders call for more education money“
- December 2011, Chicago Business. America’s Edge member Jeffrey Cribbs wrote a letter-to-the-editor entitled, “Wisest investment”. Click here to read the full letter.
- May 2011, Belleville News-Democrat. America’s Edge member Wendi Valenti wrote a letter-to-the-editor entitled, “Early educations aids economy”. Click here to read the full letter.
- April 2011, Canton Ledger Daily. America’s Edge member Justin Nelson wrote a letter-to-the-editor about early learning. Click here to read the full letter.
- March 2011, the Chicago Tribune. America’s Edge member, Jeff Cribbs wrote a letter-to-the-editor about investing in early learning programs. Click here to read the full letter.
- September 2010, Canton Chamber Courier Executive Director Missy Towery writes about an America’s Edge presentation given to the board. Click here to read the full newsletter.
- August 24, 2010, Canton Daily Ledger Letter to the Editor by Ted Brandon on early care and education. Click here to read the letter.
- On May 17, 2010, the Joliet Herald-News published an op-ed by America’s Edge member Monica Barichello highlighting the short-term economic benefits of investing in early learning programs in Illinois. Click here to read the article.
“Cutting early child care and education programs would be short-sighted and bad business for Illinois.”
–Bill Cox, The Brown Drug Company, Quincy, IL
Other
The Quincy Herald Whig’s story about the release- “Cheerful Home cites funding shortfalls in Illinois in decision to drop preschool program.”
*For more information, please contact Alena Chaps at (312) 288-8229 or achaps@AmericasEdge.org