Birth to Five Illinois Launches Statewide Family Leadership Council

November 5, 2025

Original coverage in the Sentinel by Michelle Pennington (subscription required).

Since the official launch of Birth to Five Illinois in February 2022, dedicated parents and caregivers in all 39 Illinois Regions have been sharing their stories and providing valuable feedback on local Early Childhood Education and Care programs as members of the Birth to Five Illinois Family Councils and Action Councils.

The new Birth to Five Illinois Statewide Family Leadership Council is comprised of Family Council alumni who have served for three years in their respective Regions. In this role, past Birth to Five Illinois Family Council members will continue to offer their perspectives as direct users of Illinois’ Early Childhood services and help Birth to Five Illinois improve its family and community engagement efforts across the State. 

The Council had its first meeting in September 2025 and will convene every other month. Members can serve for one year and are paid a stipend for their time and expertise. They will be offered opportunities to participate in other state-level activities, which may include providing feedback on public-facing communication materials, co-leading parent discussion groups, or joining interviews with press.

Additionally, based on their experience as parents/caregivers and their time on the Regional Birth to Five Illinois Councils, this inaugural statewide group decided that finding ways to make families more aware of the available Early Childhood Education and Care resources, supports, and programs is the greatest need and thus their chosen priority for the year.

Birth to Five Illinois is proud to introduce the fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) members, representing 28 of Illinois’ 39 Regions.

FY2026 Birth to Five Illinois Statewide Family Leadership Council members from the area include Region 13 representative Hannah Raney, Woodlawn, Jefferson County.