Get Involved
Action Center
Our coalition is made up of advocates of all kinds: early childhood providers, policy professionals, legislators, parents and community members, and we know that advocacy is nothing without action. Here in our Action Center, you'll find a variety of different actions that you can take in support of Illinois' infants, toddlers and expecting families. If you have an action you'd like to see here, send the information to communications@raisingillinois.org. Actions will be updated regularly, so check this space often and make sure you're following us on Twitter @RaisingIllinois for the latest updates!
Understanding the HB1312 Safe Licensed Child Care Legislation: What Providers Need to Know and How to Prepare
Latino Policy Forum
Illinois' will soon enact legal requirements for licensed child care centers related to immigration enforcement. Join us on Tuesday, March 3rd from 1–2 PM CST for a free webinar with early childhood education advocates, and leadership from the Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Early Childhood to learn what the new law means for your center and how to comply.
Timeline: March 3rd from 1–2 PM CST
Join the IFEI Coalition!
Illinois Families for Early Intervention
We are currently seeking Volunteers, Chairs, Co-Chairs, Executive Coordinators, and an Advocacy Director who are passionate about supporting families of infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays—and who want to be part of meaningful, ethical, and family-centered change. Whether your strength is advocacy, outreach, organization, communication, or leadership, your voice and time can help us not only meet our mission—but surpass it.
Once you fill out the volunteer interest form you will receive an email prior to the meeting with the meeting login details! No matter your background, ALL are welcome!
Timeline: Our first IFEI Coalition Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 3rd 2026 at 7:30pm. We will conduct meetings thereafter on the First Tuesday of each Month at 7:30pm.
Our Power, Our Voice
Marillac St. Vincent
Join us at Foglia Family and Youth Center for an energizing conversation that shines a light on the real experiences of women balancing leadership, caregiving, identity and community responsibility.
Timeline: Wednesday March 4, 12 pm CT
Raise Your Voice! How Will The HHS Funding Freeze Impact You?
Raising Illinois
Raising Illinois is collecting stories from providers on how the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Funding Freeze will impact you, your family and your community.
Timeline: Ongoing
Make Your Voice Heard on Early Childhood Education and Care!
University of Illinois, Northwestern University and Western Illinois University
Calling all parents and caregivers!! Please complete a survey on your views of early childhood education in the state of Illinois. This survey is part of a research-practice partnership to understand how Multilingual children and families are currently being served in birth to five settings across our state and to develop training, support, and messaging that can help create equitable and accessible early learning experiences for multilingual learners and their families.
Timeline: Ongoing
Illinois Nontraditional-Hour Child Care Study (INCCS)
Erikson Institute
Over one in three young children in the U.S. are in child care during nontraditional hours (NTH; including early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends). This project addresses critical gaps in knowledge about what quality looks like in child care; the experiences of families who search for and use NTH child care; the lived experiences of providers who offer care during these hours; and the types of supports needed to maintain, sustain, and grow the supply of NTH care. The knowledge gathered will provide IDHS and other states with new knowledge to inform policy development aimed at building supply and increasing equitable access, enhancing quality, and sustaining a thriving NTH child care workforce.
We invite you to read the report, and continue to check this space for updates! This study will continue into 2026.
Disclaimer: The foregoing is publicly available information about upcoming events, resources, and reminders from third-party organizations. In some cases, Raising Illinois & Start Early have included links to other websites that are not owned or controlled in any way by Raising Illinois or Start Early, but that contain additional information about the events, resources or reminders. By clicking on any of the links above, you agree to be directed to the external website and you acknowledge and agree that Raising Illinois & Start Early shall not be held responsible or accountable for any information contained on such site. Please note that Raising Illinois & Start Early do not monitor any of the websites linked herein and do not endorse or approve any information posted on any such sites.