CHICAGO (WREX) — The recently passed Illinois state budget will include billions of dollars in funding for youth development programs, Gov. Pritzker’s office said.
Over the weekend, the Illinois General Assembly passed the $46.5 billion budget. Governor JB Pritzker joined Democratic leaders in Chicago on Wednesday to promote some of the programs included in the FY23 budget.
Governor Pritzker called the budget a “record investment” in funding education, violence prevention and mental health programs for young people.
“Last week, we passed a budget that will have an extremely positive impact on the well-being of young people in this state,” Governor Pritzker said. “It’s about giving them every opportunity to succeed, investing in their future like never before. Our kids deserve a stronger, healthier Illinois in which to grow, and by continuing to make responsible financial decisions, we’re delivering on that promise.”
According to the governor’s office, the recently passed budget includes $54.4 million for additional early childhood education services, $300 million in grants to child care providers, and $460 million for K-12 schools and programs.
The governor’s office says the FY23 budget also includes:
- $12 million for regional offices of education to address truancy and chronic absenteeism
- $7 million to support summer services for youth, including youth employment
- $16 million for homeless youth services and homelessness prevention
- $8 million in Illinois redeployment to reduce juvenile incarceration and prevent crime
- $87 million to improve the DCFS supplier network and $15.5 million to hire 360 additional DCFS employees.
- $56 million to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to provide and redevelop parks.
- $150 million to fully implement the Pathways to Success program for children with serious mental illnesses.
- Extend the earned income credit for working families from 18% of the federal credit to 20%.
- Providing “Back to School” sales tax relief on clothing and school supplies for one week in August.
The budget also includes a $122 million increase in college scholarships for a total of $600 million. It is also sending $87 million to improve the DCFS provider network and $15.5 million to hire 360 additional DCFS employees.
