FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 9, 2024
CONTACT:
Graciela González
Director of Communications, Latino Policy Forum
312-728-4291; ggonzalez@latinopolicyforum.org
Latino Policy Forum Applauds Passage of the Department of Early Childhood Act
“[Today’s action] will benefit children in our community and makes Illinois the first state in the nation to extend protections to all children birth-to-five regardless of immigration status.”
SPRINGFIELD — Just moments ago, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1, the Department of Early Childhood Act, which authorizes the development of a new early childhood department, an effort to streamline agency functions and funding to be more responsive to the needs of families across our communities.
The Latino Policy Forum applauds today’s action as it will benefit children in our community and makes Illinois the first state in the nation to extend protections to all children birth to age 5 regardless of immigration status. This move to a unified state agency puts Illinois ahead of other states, making Illinois the best place in the nation to raise a family. The Forum looks forward to building on this year’s work and being thought partners to develop high-quality language programming for our youngest multilingual learners.
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About the Latino Policy Forum
The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead. Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies, and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. For more information, visit www.latinopolicyforum.org.