Spreading the Word as We Strive for Equity
Scroll down to read all Birth to Five Illinois news coverage, or you can click to read the coverage from your Region.
Illinois Opens a New Agency Handling Services for Kids Under 5. Here’s What it Means for Families
Illinois launches a new Department of Early Childhood! Edna Navarro Vidaurre, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-A Council Manager, weighs in on how this shift will impact Chicago families.
Actions of the Hardin County Board of Commissioners
Janice Crow, Region 21 Council Manager, provides Birth to Five Illinois updates to the Hardin County Board of Commissioners.
State Representative Natalie Manley
Representative Manley shares that a Birth to Five Illinois meeting with Representative Hirschauer, Senator Cappel, and community members from Regions 19, 24, 31, and 56 was, “probably one of the best meetings I have had in a long time.”
PRESS RELEASE: New Birth to Five Illinois ‘Changes in Early Childhood’ Reports
Announcing the release of the new ‘Changes in Early Childhood’ reports that highlight major changes in each Region’s Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health programs, and spotlight Birth to Five Illinois’ most significant progress.
Belleville Meeting to Spotlight Food Insecurity and Local Resources
Stephanie Herling, Region 50 Council Manager, promotes a St. Clair County Food Resources Community Meeting where attendees are encouraged to voice their needs and experiences.
Region 7 Community Network Anchor Coalition Partner Spotlight: Birth to Five Illinois
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-B-D (North Cook County) is the featured Partner Spotlight in the Region 7 Community Anchor Coalition’s June 2026 Newsletter.
Illinois Early Childhood Groups Urge More Developmental Screenings for Young Children
Bridget English, Region 1 Council Manager, talks about the importance of developmental screenings and her Councils’ plan to raise awareness of services for early screenings.
Birth to Five Region 13 Encourages Community Participation
Brittany Gowler and Jessica Chin from Region 13 “special guest” at the Carlyle City Council to discuss the Birth to Five Illinois Councils and encourage family and community members to complete an Interest Form.
Birth to Five Illinois to Host Community Meetings
The Birth to Five Illinois: Region 32 Team and Councils are hosting community meetings this month virtually and in-person in both Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.
Birth to Five Illinois Launches Chicago Early Childhood & Community Resource Finder
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-A launches a new Chicago Early Childhood & Community Resource Finder! Instead of searching multiple places, families and Early Childhood professionals can find what they need in one easy-to-use resource.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 on Catch the Beat from Market Street
Listen to the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 (Champaign & Ford Counties) Team on WEFT 90.1FM!
Birth to Five Illinois Celebrates Increased Early Childhood Capacity Through Lake County Educare
The groundbreaking of Educare Lake County (Birth to Five Illinois: Region 34) demonstrates the powerful effect of listening and responding to community needs.
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 on the Rantoul Roundup
Jill Duden (Region 9 Council Manager) goes live on the Rantoul Roundup to talk about the impact of Birth to Five Illinois and offer listeners the opportunity to join the Councils in Champaign and Ford Counties.
Scott County Leaders Seek Child Care Fixes after Two Providers Close
Bridget English, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1 Council Manager, and other Early Childhood leaders urge community members and organizations to start conversations aimed at expanding child care access in Scott County.
Birth to Five Illinois Seeks Local Voices for Regional Councils
Jill Duden, Region 9 Council Manager, encourages parents, caregivers, educators, and community members from Ford and Champaign counties to join our Action and Family Councils.
LouAnn Hayes on WCCI In Touch
A new parent resource guide. A new child care center. Community meetings. Grandparent Cafes. Join our Councils! LouAnn Hayes talks progress for children and families in Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson Counties (Region 8).
Helping Families Thrive from Birth to Five
Watch Jill Duden, Region 9 Council Manager (Champaign & Ford Counties) build a community trail mix as an analogy for the Birth to Five Illinois Action and Family Councils.
Birth to Five Illinois to Hold Wellness Panel May 28 in DeKalb
The Birth to Five Illinois: Region 16 (DeKalb County) Team and Councils are hosting a Strong Minds, Healthy Families Community Panel Discussion.
Interview with Brittney Hale, Janice Crow and Zena Madison, Regional Council Managers from Birth to Five Illinois
Listen to our Council Managers from Regions 20, 21, and 30 talk about how Birth to Five Illinois is supporting families and Early Childhood programs in southern Illinois.
Virtual Parent Café Offers Connection, Support for Families
Birth to Five Illinois: Regions 8, 9, 17, 28, and 54 got more coverage for their Parent Cafés!