Illinois Department of Early Childhood to launch July 1

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois Department of Early Childhood will launch July 1.

The launch comes following Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford's advocacy for a more trauma-informed early childhood education system.

"The foundation of a child's success and well-being is built starting the moment they are born," said Lightford (D-Mavwood). "As a state, it is our duty to provide the necessary support and resources to build such stability. The launch of this unique agency breaks ground on our transition to a whole, trauma-informed approach to meeting children's diverse needs."

The Department of Early Childhood was created during Lightford's 2024 Senate Bill 1. It will focus on administering early childhood education programs. It will work to make access to state programs easier for parents and providers to navigate. It will combine oversight to state-funded early childhood programs within the State Board of Education, Department of Human Services, and Department of Children and Family Services.

The new agency will house the responsibility of the Early Childhood Block Grant.

All relevant programs will be transitioned to the Department of Early Childhood by July 1.