Making Illinois’ Early Childhood Services the Best They Can Be
Council Interest Forms for the next year of service (October 2026 - October 2027) closed on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:45pm. Submissions are currently being reviewed by Birth to Five Illinois. If you completed an Interest Form, you will be contacted soon.
Learn More About Joining Our Councils
What is a Council?
A Council is a group of people who meet to work together. Typically, they review information, plan, and make decisions.
Our Action Council is a space for Early Childhood professionals and community partners to meet and talk.
Our Family Council is a space for parents and caregivers of children age eight or younger to meet and talk.
What do the Birth to Five Illinois Councils do?
There are 39 Birth to Five Illinois Regions throughout the State, and each Region has its own Family Council and Action Council. The Councils typically meet separately but work in partnership to:
Share successes and challenges in accessing Early Childhood services.
Offer ideas for how to improve local programs and services.
Communicate regularly with families, Early Childhood providers, policymakers, and legislators about local needs.
Who can participate on the Birth to Five Illinois Councils?
Action Councils: Community members and leaders with and without experience in Early Childhood.
Family Councils: Parents and caregivers of a child aged eight and under.
Qualifications
Must live, work, or have a child who receives Early Childhood services in the Region.
Must be committed to working with others to overcome challenges and create solutions.
Time Commitment
We ask members of our Action and Family Councils to serve for a one-year term. Typically, Councils meet up to two times per month. There may be some additional optional tasks outside of meetings.
More for Family Members
Choice: Two family members may also sit on the Region’s Action Council. If you have a child age eight or younger, you can choose if you want to submit an Interest Form for the Action or Family Council.
Compensation: If you serve on the Family Council, or serve as a family member on the Action Council, you will receive a quarterly stipend for your time and experience.
How Else to Get Involved
If I am not ready to be on a Council, are there other opportunities to participate?
Yes! Find your county and click on the link below to visit the dedicated page for your Region where you can:
Read your Region’s Community Reports.
Sign up for your Region’s Newsletter.
Join your Region’s Facebook Group.
Contact your Regional Team to find out how else you can get involved.
1: Adams, Brown, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Scott
1-A: Cook (City of Chicago)
1-B-B: Cook (West)
1-B-C: Cook (South)
1-B-D: Cook (North)
3: Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery
4: Boone, Winnebago
8: Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson
9: Champaign, Ford
11: Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Shelby
12: Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland
13: Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, Washington
16: DeKalb
17: DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, McLean
19: DuPage
20: Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White
21: Franklin, Johnson, Massac, Williamson
24: Grundy, Kendall
26: Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, Schuyler
28: Bureau, Henry, Stark
30: Alexander, Jackson, Perry, Pulaski, Union
31: Kane
32: Iroquois, Kankakee
33: Henderson, Knox, Mercer, Warren
34: Lake
35: LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam
39: Macon, Piatt
40: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin
41: Madison
44: McHenry
45: Monroe, Randolph
47: Lee, Ogle, Whiteside
48: Peoria
49: Rock Island
50: St. Clair
51: Menard, Sangamon
53: Mason, Tazewell, Woodford
54: Vermilion
56: Will