In late 2019, in Illinois, a broad group of 100+ diverse stakeholders convened to develop an ambitious, comprehensive, multi-year and strategic policy agenda that spells out exactly what Illinois families need to have the strongest foundation in their first years of life.

Through the agenda’s execution, 100,000 more expecting families, infants and toddlers will receive services and supports they need by 2025. In developing recommended policy priorities, we examined data, considered lived experiences of families and providers, applied a racial equity lens and focused on Illinois’ priority populations.

While our agenda is comprehensive, its structure is clear and simple with four interconnected priorities: healthy parents and babies, high-quality learning, economically secure families and strong infrastructure. Learn more about our priorities and how we plan to move them forward.

At the time of the agenda’s development, we had no idea that the last two years would bring such radical changes. In this unprecedented landscape, many of us have seen, in increasingly stark terms, the growing number of families who face frightening financial hardship and have uncertain access to health services that could not be more critical.

If we truly want to end the racial inequities that persist today, we must start at the beginning and ensure that expecting families and babies have what they need for a strong foundation.

By launching the Raising Illinois coalition in 2020, we are driving towards the implementation of our state’s agenda and critical changes for Illinois children and families. Join us in this important work. Learn more.