Gov. JB Pritzker likes to talk about his involvement in early childhood education, dating to before he became governor. Now he has more to talk about.
He’s creating a new state agency for early childhood education, whose elements are spread across three
departments now. Pritzker says it will be efficient and effective.
“All of the best research shows that providing services and support for our youngest children and their parents is one of the most fiscally responsible investments that we can make,” the governor said Tuesday. “For every dollar spent, we get seven dollars of return on that investment.”
Pritzker said this is a foundation that can lead to more education, better jobs, and better health as those little ones reach adulthood. He’s hired Ann Whalen from the advocacy group Advance Illinois to get the transition started.