JB Pritzker

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has traveled the state this week to tout the budget’s funding of his Smart Start initiative, a focal point of his 2024 budget aimed at improving access to preschool, increasing funding for child care providers and investing in early childhood facilities.

Lawmakers will return to Springfield on April 18 for a final one-month stretch in which the measures can be amended, defeated or sent to the governor.

Gov. JB Pritzker, state legislators, mayors and other officials gathered at the airport Thursday to spotlight the investment.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal includes $100 million for a state grant program. At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 30% of students use the program.

Illinois workers previously have not been guaranteed paid time off for sick leave, child care, medical appointments or any other reason.

On Wednesday, the state announced plans to dramatically reduce the number of patients with developmental disabilities who live at the embattled state-run Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday highlighted a proposed grant program that would direct $70 million per year over the next three years to school districts facing the greatest teacher shortages.

Smart Start Illinois is the name of the early childhood education program that was announced Wednesday as part of the $49.6 billion budget proposed by Pritzker.

In his annual budget address, the Illinois governor cautioned against "a virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation."

The challenges keep coming in reaction to a new state law that gun owners say violates their Second Amendment rights.