Smart Start Illinois is a multi-year plan to provide every child with access to preschool, increase funding to child care providers to raise wages and quality and reach more vulnerable families with early support. Smart Start Illinois is a step towards making Illinois the best place to raise children with a clear ongoing commitment to children, families, teachers, and childcare providers. The State Fiscal Year 2024 (SFY24) Smart Start Illinois investments to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Early Childhood (IDHS-DEC) includes

• $5 million to expand the Illinois Department of Human Services' Home Visiting Program so more families who want it can receive this early support;
• $130 million for nation-leading Child Care Workforce Compensation Contracts that will stabilize providers and give child care workers a raise;
• $40 million for Early Intervention programs to enhance services for families and give providers a raise.

Governor Pritzker’s proposal commits to continued investments in Illinois’ Home Visiting, Child Care, and Early Intervention programs, allowing IDHS-DEC to use these funds towards long-term system changes.