Gov. Pritzker testing his State of the State budget message

Posted on February 16, 2023
Gov. Pritzker spoke during a press conference on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: Gov. Pritzker)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pritzker is road-testing his State of the State and budget message.

“I characterize it as a Valentine’s Day love letter to young children, to families, to educators, to caregivers,” State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) about Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and budget message Wednesday. She also invoked the phrase “it takes a village” in describing the goals of helping children in what experts say are the most important years for brain development – ages zero to five.

The governor stopped at the Early Learning Center in Springfield Thursday morning to kick off a post-speech tour.

Even a well-regarded program such as the one Springfield Public Schools runs has room for improvement. “I was just talking to the folks here,” said Gov. Pritzker in a da-after-State of the State appearance, “that although there are 700 kids for programs here for three- and four-year-olds, there’s a waiting list of more than 120 people. So that’s a desert for someone who can’t get early childhood programs for their three- and four-year olds. That is a desert.”

The governor’s proposed budget expands access to the programs, including building new facilities.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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