Pritzker chooses leader for future Illinois Department of Early Childhood

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker has selected his first assistant deputy governor for education to lead the state's future Department of Early Childhood. Dr. Teresa Ramos will take over a huge task of combining work from three agencies.

Ramos started with the Pritzker administration in 2022 and played a critical role in designing, proposing and launching the next state agency.

"We can open up doors of growth and opportunity that previously didn't exist," Pritzker said. "We can create an Illinois where no outcome is predetermined by race, or ZIP code or socioeconomic status. That all starts in these earliest years."

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood will be responsible for the state's childhood block grant program, child care assistance, home visiting and early intervention services. This agency will also take on daycare licensing, easing the burden on the Department of Children and Family Services.

"Children across Illinois will see and learn that we love them and that we will do whatever it takes to make their futures as bright as possible," said Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights).

The department will officially take over these programs on July 1, 2026. Until then, Dr. Ramos will work with teachers, parents, providers and stakeholders to craft the best framework for the new agency.

"This initiative represents far more than restructuring," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). "It symbolizes our commitment to a holistic trauma-informed approach to meeting the diverse needs of our youngest citizens."

The law gained strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Although, Freedom Caucus members claimed it will be a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Democratic lawmakers earmarked $14 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to create the new agency. Every Republican lawmaker voted against the budget.

"Dr. Ramos has served the state of Illinois admirably in both the public and private sector, and I can think of no person better positioned to shepherd IDEC as it ramps up to full operations," Pritzker said. "Her expertise across education, child care, community engagement, and early childhood development make her a leader in her field that I know will lead the new department to success."

Ramos served as vice president of public policy, research and advocacy at Illinois Action for Children before joining the Pritzker administration. She also served as the community engagement director for Advance Illinois and helped Pritzker's education transition team in 2018.