Illinois universal preschool program adds room for 5,150 more low-income children

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Illinois universal preschool program adds room for 5,150 more low-income children

OAK LAWN, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois' Smart Start preschool program will add 5,150 publicly funded preschool seats as part of a plan to reach universal preschool by 2027. Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education announced the addition to the program on Friday. “This is another historic step forward for early childhood education in Illinois, bringing us 5,150 seats closer to our goal of Universal Pre-K,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Ever…