February 19, 2026
Raising Illinois’ Response to Governor JB Pritzker’s Proposed FY 2027 Budget
This week, Governor JB Pritzker shared his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) Illinois state budget, which includes increased investments in the Early Intervention (EI) program and Child Care Assistance Programs, while maintaining level funding across other early childhood programs.
Across the state, families with babies and toddlers are doing everything they can to give their children a strong start, and providers who serve expecting parents and our youngest children are working to meet growing needs. Raising Illinois understands the unique challenges our state leaders face as they balance this year’s budget amid such federal uncertainty. We also know that the earliest years – beginning in pregnancy and continuing through age 3 – are the most critical for development, health and family stability.
We are grateful for the proposed $15 million increase to our state’s Early Intervention program. For families with infants and toddlers experiencing development delays, timely access to services can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
We thank the parents, providers and advocates who have amplified the urgent need for increased EI funding. Thousands of families have shared the devastating reality of sitting on waitlists for services that they are legally entitled to receive. Providers across the state have been candid about workforce shortages, inadequate compensation and growing caseloads.
“When an infant is left waiting for development support or a new parent is unable to find affordable care for their little one, the impact can be profound,” Raising Illinois Director Simone Santiago said. “We thank Governor Pritzker for listening to families and providers and recognizing that investments in the prenatal-to-age 3 years are not optional. We must ensure that Illinois’ infants, toddlers and expecting families don’t pay the cost of an uncertain federal landscape.”
While the Governor’s request to increase state appropriations for the Child Care Assistance Program ($55 million) and the Early Intervention program ($15 million) is positive, it does not include additional state investments in the Early Childhood Block Grant, the Smart Start Workforce Grants or the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE). The budget outline appears to include a $500,000 increase for evidence-based home visiting programs. We’ve asked the Department for clarification and are awaiting their response.
We appreciate continued funding for the Children’s Behavioral Health Portal, the Diaper Distribution Program, and WIC at the IL Department of Human Services; the Birth Equity Initiative and Reproductive Health services at the IL Department of Public Health; and the Medical Debt Relief Program at the IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services. These other critical health and economic security services are critical for parents and babies who rely on a wide range of supports to thrive.
Also included with continued funding were professional supports for the workforce, such as Pediatric Mental Health Training, the Human Services Loan Repayment Program, and certification and approval of new Medicaid provider types, such as lactation consultants, home visitors and doulas, and community health workers.
Without deeper investment across the system, families – especially those with infants and toddlers – will continue to face long waitlists and limited access to critical programs and services. When funding remains flat and limited while demand and costs rise, families are left waiting during the most formative moments in their child’s development.
“The Governor’s budget address offered a meaningful ray of hope. The additional funding for Early Intervention and child care is a step forward for families like mine who rely on these supports every day,” Raising Illinois Family Leader and Illinois Families for Early Intervention Co-founder Stephanie Jimenez said. “Love is our superpower, especially the love we have for our children, so we can’t take our foot off the gas. The earliest years build the foundation for everything that comes next, and investing in young children is how we make Illinois the best state to raise a family.”
As the Illinois General Assembly considers this proposal, we urge lawmakers to allocate additional funding for programs that serve expecting families, infants and toddlers. Those first three years represent our state’s greatest opportunity to close the opportunity gap and support family well-being from the very beginning.
Raising Illinois remains committed to partnering with the Illinois Department of Early Childhood and to elevating the voices of families and providers across our state. Join us to make your voice heard and advocate for a system that meets the needs of all families – starting before birth and continuing through the earliest years of life.
“When an infant is left waiting for development support or a new parent is unable to find affordable care for their little one, the impact can be profound. We thank Governor Pritzker for listening to families and providers and recognizing that investments in the prenatal-to-age 3 years are not optional. We must ensure that Illinois’ infants, toddlers and expecting families don’t pay the cost of an uncertain federal landscape.”
Simone Santiago
Director of Raising Illinois
“The Governor’s budget address offered a meaningful ray of hope. The additional funding for Early Intervention and child care is a step forward for families like mine who rely on these supports every day. Love is our superpower, especially the love we have for our children, so we can’t take our foot off the gas. The earliest years build the foundation for everything that comes next, and investing in young children is how we make Illinois the best state to raise a family.”
Stephanie Jimenez
Raising Illinois Family Leader and Illinois Families for Early Intervention Co-founder