Illinois' Early Intervention (EI) program provides critical services to children under age 3 who have, or are at risk for, significant developmental delays and disabilities. These services have been shown to improve developmental outcomes for young children, support families to better meet their children’s developmental needs and reduce future health & educational costs to our communities and the state by minimizing the need for special education services.
EI is currently in crisis, with thousands of families still waiting for the services to which they are legally entitled. These service delays are tied directly to the program’s ongoing workforce crisis. EI providers continue to leave the program because the math doesn’t add up. In response to this crisis, Start Early & Raising Illinois are launching a year-long campaign, Babies Can't Wait: We Need Early Intervention and calling for a $60 million increase in EI funding in the state's fiscal year 2026 budget.
To kick off the campaign, we'll be hosting local events across the state. Join us at an event near you:
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NW Suburbs: 10/28 at 11am Advance Preschool
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S Suburbs: 10/29 at 10am Oak Forest City Hall
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Aurora: 10/29 at 11am Prisco Community Center
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Melrose Park: 10/29 at 9:30am West Suburban Special Recreation Association
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Carterville: 10/29 at 10:00am John A. Logan College Courtyard
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Moline: 10/29 at 5:30pm SAL Community Services
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Peoria: 10/30 at 11am Lighthouse Church of God
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Chicago: 11/1 at 11:30am JCK Federal Building Plaza
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