 Illinois law enforcement leaders are urging state lawmakers to "make
good on promised payments" delayed to preschool programs. They also
asked to restore $38 million previously cut from the Early Childhood
Block Grant in next year's state budget. The grant helps fund
preschool education for at-risk and low-income children, which
police said helps keep kids from getting involved in crime.
Granite City Police Chief Richard Miller said those children need
guidance at a young age.
"The end result saves society money because we are not locking them
up, as police chiefs; they become successful," Miller said.
Miller was lucky, even though he grew up as an "at risk" child.
"My mother and father were there for me," Miller said, "... but to
be in public housing and to grow up on a lower income side of town
-- there is no doubt that my education values, and learning how to
learn and things to do came from that. I grew up with kids that now
are dead or in prison."
As members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids
Illinois, a nonprofit anti-crime organization, Illinois law
enforcement leaders noted the state can save up to $400 million a
year by reducing the need for special education and for failing
grades.
Ogle County State's Attorney Ben Roe said preschool helps
children develop skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
"In Illinois, many children start school already behind their
classmates in early math and reading skills," Roe said. "Many have
not mastered the social skills they need to follow teachers'
directions and establish good friendships in schools. These problems
can lead to a pattern of failure that lasts a lifetime."
Special education costs can be reduced if children with
developmental delays and behavioral problems have access to
preschool, said Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine.
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"In Illinois, we currently spend over $2 billion on special
education and only $304 million on preschool programs," Laine said.
"By investing more in preschool, we can achieve real savings in
special education, as well in other education areas, such as
reducing the number of children who need to repeat grades."
Funding for the grant will be restored to fiscal 2009 levels at
$380 million in fiscal 2012, said Kelly Kraft, spokeswoman for the
Governor's Office of Management and Budget. However, the final state
budget will need lawmakers' approval.
"Gov. Quinn is a staunch advocate of early childhood education,
and he feels that it is vital in preparing children for a lifetime
of learning and development," Kraft said.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By DIANE S.W. LEE]
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