Chambana Sun

After Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) proposed an increase in spending for early childhood education, state Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac) has asked for a better breakdown as to how those dollars would be spent.

Bennett asked for more details about the spending during a House Appropriations hearing for the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee on Feb. 8.

"I agree that if we don't get our kids off on the right step, they have trouble and are behind pretty much through high school," Bennett said during the hearing. "What I've heard from our conversation today, it sounds like it's two things: this $50-some million used to expand programs, perhaps more hours, more kids. And then, also, increase in salaries. Can someone talk to me in more specifics about how that money breaks down?"

Sean Noble, director of Illinois' Council for a Strong America, said although policy makers always like to see expanded programs create more openings for children, the focus should be on better pay for employees who work in this area of education.

"We really need to ensure that we are thinking more about (the) salary-benefits side of the equation because that would help to shore up some quality and it would also be a big investment in access because of the turnover turnstile that spins when folks are not making a really livable wage and they wind up leaving the field and it's not good for quality and it also undermines access as well as equity," Noble said. 

Jonathon Doster, director of Legislative Affairs for Start Early, agreed.

"We do have a goal in mind for what salary should look like, particularly for those who are working in childcare centers where their salaries may be behind some of their peers who work in school-based programs," Doster said. 

During the State of the State Address, Pritzker introduced his budget plan which included an additional $54 million for early childhood education and $300 million to expand and increase child care grants, according to a release on the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM).

IECAM also noted that there would be more money put toward scholarships for minority teachers. 

The budget plan would also set aside $230 million to pay off unfunded liability for College Illinois, the release stated.