CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Big news for the Champaign area as $6.4 million has been secured for Head Start programs.

Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski made the announcement Friday.

"Supporting early childhood education is one of my top priorities, and I’m going to keep fighting to protect programs like these that ensure every child is set up for success," Budzinski said in an Aug. 1 press release. 

The competitive grant will serve 269 children and 111 infants and toddlers across the county.

Head start programs promote school readiness for young children from birth to five years old.

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