Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Update

December 18, 2024 Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Update Updates from the first phase of our campaign for increased EI funding in the Illinois state budget Raising Illinois Champions & Contributors know that our Early Intervention (EI) system is in crisis.  EI providers, many of whom have advanced degrees, are choosing to leave…

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Raising Illinois Releases Summative Report

November 25, 2024 Raising Illinois Releases Five-Year Report Celebrating Five Years of Progress for Illinois’ Youngest Children We invite you to explore the full report to learn more about our journey so far and ongoing work to create a brighter future for Illinois’ youngest children. Check it Out The first three years of a child’s…

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A Conversation on Pregnancy Loss

October 25, 2024 A Conversation on Pregnancy Loss A conversation between Raising Illinois, Gifts from Liam & Evelyn James Co on pregnancy loss and how policy can better support grieving families. In observance of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, Raising Illinois partnered with Gifts from Liam and Evelyn James Co for a discussion on…

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News Release, Babies Can’t Wait: We Need EI Campaign Launch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 Families, Advocates Rally to Demand Increased Funding for Early Intervention Services in Illinois Thousands of Infants and Toddlers Experiencing Delays to Receive Life-Changing Services CHICAGO, IL – Families and advocates for Illinois’ Early Intervention (EI) program are calling on Governor JB Pritzker to increase funding by $60 million…

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Babies Can’t Wait Postcard

Your Early Intervention Stories Fill out a postcard and share your story! Illinois’ Early Intervention (EI) program provides critical services to children under age 3 who have or are at risk for significant developmental delays and disabilities. Recent increases to the state’s EI budget have not been nearly enough to ensure equitable access to the…

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Spring 2024 Legislative Wrap-Up

June 25, 2024 Spring 2024 Legislative Wrap-Up Expecting families, infants and toddlers have much to celebrate after the most recent session of the Illinois General Assembly Lee En Español In the early morning of Wednesday, May 29, the 103rd General Assembly adjourned its spring legislative session. Most significantly, lawmakers passed the final budget for Fiscal…

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Raising Illinois’ Response to Approved Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget

May 30, 2024 Raising Illinois’ Response to Approved Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget Our state’s prenatal-to-three coalition celebrates another transformational year for expecting families, infants and toddlers – but critical services remain underfunded Lee En Español Raising Illinois commends the Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker for continuing to invest in our state’s littlest…

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Introducing: 2024 Family Leaders

February 23, 2024 Introducing: 2024 Family Leaders Welcome to our 6 new Family Leaders! After a year marked by remarkable prenatal-to-three achievements and the launch of Governor Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois initiative, we are thrilled to expand our Family Leader program and welcome 6 new members to our team! The aim of our Family Leader…

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