Why It Matters
Illinois’ push to expand state-funded preschool access has plateaued after initial gains, raising questions about whether the state can achieve universal early childhood education without increased funding. The stalled progress comes as lawmakers prepare the fiscal year 2027 budget, with preschool programs set to transition to a new state department in July.
What Happened
A nationwide report released Wednesday by the National Institute for Early Education Research found that Illinois’ enrollment and funding growth for preschool programs serving 3- and 4-year-olds has slowed significantly. The state enrolled approximately 83,000 children in publicly funded preschool during the 2024-25 school year, an increase of just over 1,000 students from the previous year.
Illinois ranked fourth nationally in 3-year-old enrollment but 22nd in state funding and 20th in 4-year-old enrollment among all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The General Assembly held preschool funding flat for the current fiscal year ending in June after allocating an additional $75 million for Early Childhood Block Grants in fiscal year 2025.
Governor JB Pritzker launched the Smart Start Illinois initiative in 2023 to expand access to high-quality preschool for low-income children. In January 2025, the governor announced the addition of over 5,000 seats to the program, bringing the total expansion to 11,000 seats since the initiative began.
By the Numbers
Illinois enrolled 26 percent of 3-year-olds in state-funded preschool during the 2024-25 school year, while 4-year-old enrollment remained at 35 percent. State spending per child reached $6,641, an increase of approximately 5 percent from the previous year when adjusted for inflation. Total state spending increased 7 percent from the 2023-24 school year.
The state met eight of 10 quality benchmarks set by the research institute, falling short only on staff professional development and assistant teacher degree requirements. Only six states met all 10 benchmarks nationwide.
Zoom Out
Nationwide enrollment in state-funded preschool reached 37 percent for 4-year-olds but only 9 percent for 3-year-olds. Most state preschool programs primarily serve 4-year-olds, making Illinois’ relatively high 3-year-old enrollment notable. However, 44 states and Washington, D.C. operate state-funded preschool programs, and the pace of enrollment and funding growth slowed nationally in the most recent year.
Report authors Steve Barnett and Allison Friedman-Krauss noted that Illinois’ high ranking for 3-year-old enrollment reflects the fact that most other states do not prioritize that age group. The state operates a two-year preschool program targeting both 3- and 4-year-olds.
What’s Next
Beginning in July, preschool grant programs will be housed under Illinois’ new Department of Early Childhood. Lawmakers are working to finalize the fiscal year 2027 budget by May 31. The report authors indicated that reaching universal preschool will require the state legislature to prioritize early childhood funding over other budget items in future years.