
Illinois Expands Publicly Funded $250 Million Preschool Program
Illinois is making some big moves in early childhood education. Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently announced an expansion of the Smart Start program, adding 5,150 publicly funded preschool seats for the upcoming school year. This is part of a larger plan to provide universal preschool access for all 3 and 4-year-olds by 2027. Since its launch in 2024, the program has added 11,000 seats, but questions remain about whether it’s a long-term solution or a steppingstone that will need additional, extensive support from taxpayers in the future.
So, what exactly is the Smart Start program, and why is Illinois investing so heavily in it? Let’s break it down.
The program was designed to expand preschool access for underserved families, addressing common barriers like cost, availability, and location. For many low-income families, preschool has historically been out of reach — whether it’s because programs are too expensive, have long waiting lists, or are too far from home. Smart Start's aim is to tackle those issues head-on. When the program started, an initial investment of $250 million was allocated to various components: the Early Childhood Block Grant, Childcare Workforce Compensation Contracts, Early Intervention Programs, and Home Visiting Program.

The initiative is funded by Early Childhood Block Grants, with $32 million allocated for the upcoming year. A portion of this funding is dedicated to Early Childhood Construction Grants, which help expand or renovate facilities to make room for more kids. Notably, Illinois law requires 37% of the total block grant funding to go to Chicago Public Schools for preschool and early care programs within the city, leaving the rest of the state to benefit from the remainder.
Now, why focus so much on preschool? Advocates say the long-term benefits are undeniable. Research shows that children who attend quality preschool programs are 25% more likely to graduate high school and 60% less likely to need remedial education later. Early childhood education also helps build foundational cognitive and social skills that set kids up for success in school and beyond.
There are some clear upsides to the Smart Start program. It prioritizes low-income families, helping the kids who need support the most. It’s also a step toward creating more equal opportunities for children across Illinois, aiming to level the playing field when they start kindergarten. Beyond individual benefits, high-quality preschool programs can strengthen entire communities by improving graduation rates, reducing dropout numbers, and preparing more young people for the workforce. On a more practical level, the construction grants mean more capacity in underserved areas, which could ease the strain on overcrowded or under-resourced programs.
Pritzker unveiling the Smart Start Illinois education plan in February of 2023.
But not everyone is convinced the program will deliver on its promises, at least not without challenges. A major concern is whether Illinois can sustain the financial commitment needed to expand and maintain the program over the next few years. Critics also point out some bumps in the road during implementation — at roll out, the Illinois Department of Human Services faced criticism for starting the grant program without lawmakers approving the rules. Issues like this could make it harder to build trust and get the program running smoothly for the families it should serve.
There’s also the question of whether the funding is being distributed equitably. While Chicago receives a significant share of the money, rural and suburban areas may still face logistical hurdles, such as limited transportation options or fewer available facilities. And while adding preschool seats is important, quality matters just as much. To really make an impact, the program will need to hire and retain qualified teachers, maintain low student-to-teacher ratios, and provide strong professional development for educators. Not to mention, who decides what exactly constitutes a "high-quality preschool program"?
Additionally, some skeptics argue that focusing heavily on preschool will essentially pull resources or attention away from other pressing education issues, like teacher shortages or funding for K-12 schools.
So, will Smart Start work in the long run? That’s hard to say. The success of the program will depend on stable funding, strong community partnerships, and ongoing evaluation to make sure it’s meeting its goals. Supporters see it as a game-changer for education equity, while critics worry it could fall short if those pieces don’t come together. Either way, it is a major investment in the future of Illinois.
It’s clear that Illinois is putting early education in the spotlight and the taxpayers will have to front the bill. Whether Smart Start becomes a national model or a cautionary tale will depend on how well the state can execute and sustain its ambitious plan with the funds they take in.
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