Teresa Ramos, Illinois’ current first assistant deputy governor of education, has been nominated to serve as the first secretary of the newly established Illinois Department of Early Childhood, pending state Senate confirmation. Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the appointment on Monday.
“Teresa’s expertise in education, child care, community engagement, and early childhood development makes her the ideal leader to guide this new department,” Pritzker said in a statement.
Ramos’ appointment follows a significant push by Pritzker to increase support for early childhood education and child care programs across the state. Since his re-election in 2022, the governor has prioritized additional funding for these programs, including the Smart Start Initiative aimed at expanding early education. In October 2023, Pritzker proposed the creation of the new department.
This spring, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation to officially form the Department of Early Childhood, which will streamline the state’s early education and child care services. For the 2025 fiscal year, the state has allocated $14 million to support the department’s efforts. The department is expected to manage key programs starting July 1, including early intervention services for children with disabilities and the Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income families access child care.
“I look forward to working with an outstanding team of state employees, parents, families, advocates, and providers to build a department that gives every young child the opportunity for a healthy and strong start,” Ramos said.
Ramos has worked in various leadership roles in early childhood education. Before joining the governor’s office in 2022, she was the vice president of public policy, research, and advocacy at Illinois Action for Children, a nonprofit focused on child care and early childhood education. She also previously served as the director of community engagement for Advance Illinois, an education advocacy group, and was involved in Pritzker’s education transition team in 2018.
If confirmed, Ramos will begin her role as secretary of the Department of Early Childhood in January. Currently, early childhood education and child care programs in Illinois are overseen by multiple state agencies, including the Department of Human Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Department of Children and Family Services.
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