Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Springfield Lobbying Day 2026

 

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin and other members of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Illinois with Senate Minority Leader John Curran and State Senator Seth Lewis.

 

SPRINGFIELD - On May 6, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin traveled to Springfield in his capacity as an Illinois Executive Committee member of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids to meet with members of the Illinois General Assembly to lobby for critical children’s programs that help stop crime before it happens. Berlin was joined by other members of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids including Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weiss, Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husak, Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins, and Urbana Police Chief Larry Boone. Berlin and others were specifically seeking funding for the Smart Start Early Childhood Workforce Grants and the Early Childhood Block Grant.

The Smart Start Early Childhood Workface Grants offer child care programs stable, ongoing funds that they need to invest in quality staff without burdening families by raising tuition or Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) co-pays. Eligible programs receive consistent funding in advance, and funds will cover the cost of higher wages and operating a classroom. Programs receiving these grants will be required to pay classroom staff a wage floor. These competitive wages will help to attract more staff and meet parents’ needs at a rate that they can afford.

The Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) provides funding for three programs: 

  • Preschool for All (PFA) – Half-day (2.5 hours per day), high-quality preschool for 3-5-year-olds with licensed teachers and standards-aligned curriculum. 

  • Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) – Full-day (five hours per day), high-quality preschool, along with comprehensive physical and mental health services designed to serve 3-5-year-olds in the highest-need communities. 

  • Prevention Initiative (PI) – Provides services for children and families prenatal to 3 years old in two program options: center-based care and home visiting. The FY 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) will fund only center-based PI services for children 6 weeks to 3 years of age in child care centers licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. With any remaining available funds, ISBE will prioritize raising the base salary requirements of home visitors, home visitor supervisors, doulas, and doula supervisors to align with similar positions at the Illinois Department of Human Services. This is a part of an effort to align home visiting programs in the state.   

The group met with many legislators including Senate Minority Leader John Curran, Senator Seth Lewis, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Representative Patrick Windhorst, Senator Michael Halpin, House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, and House Assistant Majority Leader Eva-Dina Delgado.

 
 
 
 


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Daniel Szczesny