As federal funding for early childhood education programs faces uncertainty, Illinois Head Start providers are growing increasingly concerned about the future of the program, which serves low-income families.
Amy Blythe, assistant vice president of Early Learning Services at Easterseals, is one of many worried about the impact of potential cuts. Her organization, which supports 1,500 children in the Chicagoland and Rockford areas, partners with community-based programs that provide Head Start services. Blythe said the program is crucial for families, providing essentials like formula, diapers, and food, along with emergency support, such as helping families after a house fire or providing transportation when needed.
“These services are vital. That’s what keeps me up at night—what will happen to these children and families if we’re not there?” Blythe said.
The future of the 60-year-old Head Start program is in question as President Donald Trump’s administration considers a budget proposal that could eliminate the program. According to a USA Today report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently shut down the Chicago-based regional office that supports Head Start providers in Illinois and several other Midwestern states. This comes after a series of challenges for child care providers, who were hit hard by a government freeze on grant funding earlier this year.
Despite a brief reversal of the freeze, many providers continued to face difficulties, and some were forced to temporarily close. The Illinois Head Start Association reported that the program serves over 28,000 children across the state and employs nearly 9,000 people. Nationwide, Head Start was funded to serve about 780,000 children in fiscal year 2023.
Head Start primarily supports children from low-income families, many of whom qualify for the program based on income or government assistance. For a family of four, the income must be at or below $32,150, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Julissa Cruz, vice president of community-based advocacy at the Carole Robertson Center in Chicago, believes there is a lack of understanding about the importance of early childhood education. The Carole Robertson Center, which serves 15,000 children and families, continues to offer Head Start services despite recent challenges. Cruz remains optimistic that lawmakers will continue to recognize the program’s value.
“This program exists in communities across Illinois, from urban to rural areas. Most lawmakers have a Head Start program in their district,” Cruz said.
Marcy Mendenhall, CEO of SAL Community Services in the Quad Cities, also voiced concerns about the potential cuts. Mendenhall, whose organization serves 168 children through Early Head Start, criticized the proposal to dismantle the program, calling it “not based on best practices” and “not in the best interests of children.”
While Mendenhall is confident her organization’s partnerships will prevent closures, she stressed the importance of advocacy to ensure child care programs remain available for young children.
Head Start has received bipartisan support for over six decades, but Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, executive director of the Illinois Head Start Association, worries whether Republicans in Congress will continue to defend the program under the current administration.
“When push comes to shove, will they stand up for what’s best for their districts?” Morrison-Frichtl said.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been a strong advocate for expanding child care access. His $53 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 includes a $10 million increase for early childhood programs, including Early Intervention services for children with disabilities, and $85 million for the Child Care Assistance Program. However, Pritzker’s plan faces challenges, as Illinois is already facing a $3 billion budget deficit. The loss of federal funding could exacerbate the state’s financial struggles.
In response to the growing need for early childhood services, Illinois lawmakers approved the creation of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood last year. The department aims to streamline funding and coordination for early childhood education and child care programs across the state.
The future of the Head Start program remains uncertain, but its advocates are determined to continue pushing for its survival to support vulnerable children and families across Illinois.
