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.
Civic Interest: Birth to Five Illinois
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 12 promotes an upcoming Community Resource Fair on WTYE!
Becky Eager Updates Region 35 on Birth to Five Illinois Early Childhood Initiatives
At a government meeting in LaSalle County, Becky Eager, Region 35 Council Manager (LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties) provides an update on the Birth to Five Illinois efforts underway.
Local Agency Advocating for Early Childhood Education in Knox, Warren, Mercer, and Henderson Counties
Jim Walters (Regional Council Manager) and Alli Chasteen (Family & Community Engagement Specialist) for Region 33 talk with The Burg about all the work underway, and what’s to come, to support children and families in Henderson, Knox, Mercer, Warren Counties.
Champaign Public Library, Local Organizations Host Fatherhood Forum
Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 (Champaign & Ford Counties) participated in a Fatherhood Forum to celebrate the importance of fathers!
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Wraps Up Fiscal Year with Major Impact Tools
Announcing the release of an Impact Report, infographics for every Illinois Region, and an animated Action Plan video to close out the fiscal year.
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.
Kankakee County Health Department “Who Knew?” Podcast with Liz Gibson, Birth to Five Illinois: Region 32
Listen to Liz Gibson (Region 32 Council Manager) talk all things Birth to Five Illinois in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. She is interviewed by Kailee Zito, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Kankakee County Health Department and Region 32 Action Council member.
PRESS RELEASE: Birth to Five Illinois Announces $2.5 Million Now Available
Announcing $2.5 million in subcontracts available for Local Early Childhood Collaborations!
Crow Drops by Kiwanis Thursday to Talk Birth to Five Illinois Efforts
See what Janice Crow, Region 20 Council Manager, shared at the Kiwanis meeting about the work of Birth to Five Illinois in Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties.
Thank You from Hillsboro Police Department and Hillsboro School District
The Hillsboro Police Department and the Hillsboro School District acknowledge the vital role Birth to Five Illinois: Region 3 plays in Montgomery County.
Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn Teams Up for New Birth to 5 Resource Hub
The Region 1-B-C (Cook County South) Action Council identified the need for a central resource hub for families. In partnership with the Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn, Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123, and the Illinois Resource Center, that Early Childhood Resource Hub is now available!
Illini Media Group Features Birth to Five Illinois on the Focus News & Public Affairs Podcast
Region 9 Council Manager (Jill Duden) and Family & Community Engagement Specialist (Melissa Watson) talk all things Birth to Five Illinois on this episode of the Focus News & Public Affairs Podcast.
WALLS 102 Radio Interview with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 35
The Region 35 Birth to Five Illinois Team goes on air with WALLS 102.
Birth to Five Illinois Gives Public Comment During Washington County Board Meeting
Brittany Gowler, Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 13, makes a call for new Council members at the Washington County Board Meeting.
Plano Education Organization Distributes Free Bilingual Educational Booklets
The Plano Area Alliance Supporting Student Success (PAASSS) Community Collaboration is distributing free bilingual calendars with learning activities, made possible by Birth to Five Illinois funding.
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.
What is Birth to Five Illinois?
Tammy Pollitt (Region 54) and Jill Duden (Region 9) show ciLiving host, Jaclyn Friedlander how to craft a nature suncatcher and talk about what Birth to Five Illinois is all about.
Birth to Five Nonprofit Stresses Equity for Parents, Children
Watch the KWQC segment featuring Emily Cummings, Region 49 Council Manager, in an interview about the efforts underway to support families in Rock Island County.
Erikson Institute Early Childhood Leadership Academy Get on the Early Childhood Bus - Episode 9: 2025 ECLA Summit
The Birth to Five Illinois community reports from Illinois’ 39 Regions are mentioned in this Erikson Institute Early Childhood Leadership Academy podcast.
OL Children Museum Hub Connects South Suburban Families With Early Childhood Programs
As part of their Action Plan, the Region 1-B-C Councils set a goal to increase awareness of Early Childhood Education and Care services. In partnership with the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, they launched an Early Childhood Resource Hub.