January 20, 2026
Illinois’ early childhood system plays a central role in supporting children’s learning, development, well-being, and family stability from birth to age five. As Illinois transitions to the new Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), understanding these underlying conditions is essential to shaping a more coordinated, responsive, and equitable statewide system. This dashboard provides a data-driven snapshot of the early childhood landscape in Illinois, including trends in population change, poverty, language status, and access to and quality of services. Together, these indicators establish a baseline for understanding current conditions and for tracking changes in the system over time as governance, funding, and service delivery evolve.
