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.
Pontiac City Council Meeting September 8, 2026
Watch Melissa Breeden (Region 17 Council Manager) providing public comment about the slot gap in Pontiac and what Birth to Five Illinois is doing to improve local child care access.
As Pritzker Touts State Progress on Childcare, Twin City Stakeholders Seek Local Solutions
“McLean County has seen at least four childcare providers close in the past year, amid a wave of nearly 40 closures tracked in a four-county region served by Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17.”
City of Bloomington to Play a Part in Solving Childcare Crisis
Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager, elevates the child care crisis at the city council meeting and the City of Bloomington is listening.
Public Comment at Bloomington City Council Meeting
Watch a recording of Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager, providing public comment at the Bloomington City Council meeting.
Bloomington Partners with Habitat for Humanity to Build 2 Homes on Trailside Court
Melissa Breeden (Region 17 Council Manager) talks “child care crisis” in McLean County and urges Bloomington City Council members to consider child care an “urgent, regular agenda item”.
Milestones in Bloomington Becomes the Latest Childcare Program to Close
WGLT cites Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17’s recently released “Changes in Early Childhood” report in another article about child care closures in the Bloomington-Normal area.
A New State Agency Aims to Ease McLean County's Childcare Crisis. Providers Say the Money Problem Remains.
Listen and/or read this news piece featuring the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17 Council Manager, a Family Council member/parent/child care worker in McLean County, and the owner and director of a newly opened Early Learning and Development Center in Bloomington.
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!
Family Programs Are Coming
Birth to Five Illinois: Regions 8, 9, 17, 28, and 54 are hosting Parent Cafés!
Recent Closures Leaves Families On a 'Hunger Games'-Style Search for Child Care
Melissa Breeden (Region 17 Council Manager) and Hilary Pancha (mom of five children and Region 17 Family Council Member) discuss the recent child care closures in Bloomington-Normal.
Illinois Birth to Five with Melissa Breeden
Listen to Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager (DeWitt, Livingston, Logan & McLean Counties) on the ROE #17 POD podcast!
McLean County Museum of History Honors Loved Ones Now Gone with Dia de Muertos Celebration
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17 participates in this Dia de Muertos celebration and is asked about the impact of the organization for the Hispanic community.
Illinois Initiative Aims to Improve Childcare Access
“Families interested in shaping the future of early childhood care in Central Illinois can join the Family Council,” Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager.
The Power of Play: How Rural Schools Can Lead the Way in Play-Based Learning, with Lisa Hood and Paul Larson
In this Forgottonia Project interview, Paul Larson (Region 26 Council Manager) and Lisa Hood (Regional Office of Education #17, Research Director and Region 17 Action Council member) talk about the power of play in learning and development.
Birth to Five Illinois Region 17 Council Strengthens Early Childhood Education Collaboration in DeWitt County
Melissa Breeden, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17 Council Manager (DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counites) provides updates to DeWitt County officials.
BuildingBN Podcast #93: Birth to Five Illinois’ Melissa Breeden
Melissa Breeden, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17 Council Manager (DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties) talks all things Early Childhood Education and Care (child care affordability, workforce development, community building, etc.) on the Building BN podcast.
Bloomington Woman Plans to Open Inclusive Farmhouse Child Care Center
Melissa Breeden, Region 17 Council Manager representing DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties, discusses some of the challenges Early Childhood providers face as part of this WGLT article.
Report Documents Behavioral Health Needs of Schools in McLean and Neighboring Counties
WGLT interviews Region 17 Council Manager, Carol Weisheit, about the Early Childhood Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health for DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean Counties.
Children With Special Needs Are A Priority For B-N Woman On Department Of Early Childhood Transition Team
Listen to the WGLT interview with Region 17 Action Council member, Lakeesha James-Smith, who discusses the obstacles she has faced as a mother navigating the ECEC system and how the work of Birth to Five Illinois and the Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) are simplifying the system for families.
Action Plan Aims to Boost Public Awareness about Early Childhood and Child Care – and How Little Its Workers are Paid
In this interview with WGLT, Carol Weisheit, Region 17 Council Manager (Dewitt, Livingston, Logan & McLean Counties) discusses the issues local children, families, and providers face and how their Regional Action Plan is working to address them.