Advocacy & Policy

Advocacy Events & Webinars

Join our coalition of advocates and drive meaningful change.

As advocates, we understand the critical role we play in shaping the early childhood landscape locally and nationally. Illinois Action for Children aims to build a strong coalition of passionate individuals, providers, parents, and organizations who share a common vision – ensuring that every child receives quality care and education during their most formative years.

Whether you are a provider, a parent, or an early childhood professional, our events and webinars provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Your participation in our events is not just an investment in the future; it’s a commitment to creating a better world for Illinois’ littlest learners.

Join us as we transform the early childhood system in Illinois. Together, let’s build a world where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

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Advocacy Events

Explore our events to discover our annual spring and fall workshops, advocacy days, and other opportunities to get involved.

At Illinois Action for Children, our goal is to keep you informed on advocacy and policy happenings, while providing many ways to get involved.

With Illinois Action for Children’s Public Policy & Advocacy Program, you can network with other early care and education leaders, learn more about the early care and education field, and stay up-to-date on advocacy and policy events.

 

Past Advocacy Events

If you missed an event, download materials below and learn more about what’s going on in the state and federally.

2019

Spring Into Action

Illinois Action for Children’s 22nd annual public policy and advocacy conference, Spring into Action, was held on April 2-3 in Springfield Illinois. Spring into Action brings early childhood providers, stakeholders, and advocates together for policy-oriented workshops, capitol visits to speak with legislators, and networking opportunities to connect with other members of the field.

If you were not able to join us or would like to revisit any content, you can check out the workshop presentations.

The Opioid Crisis: What Early Care and Education Providers Need to Know


Advocacy Webinars

Explore our webinars to stay informed on federal and state policy updates, to learn effective advocacy techniques and receive the latest developments on the early childhood education field.

 

Past Advocacy Webinars

The Public Policy and Advocacy Program provides opportunities for advocates and community members to learn about policy updates at the state and federal levels. We also offer, when possible, many of these webinars in Spanish.

 

2021

Funding Priorities of Child Care Providers: Where would increased investment go?

View Webinar

 

2020

Legislative Session 2020

View Webinar

 

Fair Tax. Missed our Fair Tax Webinar?

Curious about how the Fair Tax Act will affect you and your community? The old way of taxing income in Illinois is unfair and inadequate. WE CAN FIX IT. Everyone benefits from Fair Tax reform—but we can only win if everyone’s involved. Learn about the Fair Tax and how it can be used to fund early childhood programs in your community! Together we can lift the unfair burden from the middle class, make it so the millionaires pay their share, raise revenue for schools and other priorities, and ease the property tax crunch.

View Webinar

2020

Voter Reg

Election Day is just around the corner! As a leader in the field of ensuring safe, affordable, high-quality early care and education programs for children and families, Illinois Action for Children appreciates your collaborative efforts and partnership in informing the public about the upcoming election on November 3. This election cycle, there are several issues on the ballot that directly impact the work that we all do for the children and families we serve. Stay engaged in all things related to #VOTE2020. View Webinar

 

End of Legislative Session Webinar

Couldn’t join our webinar? You can view the recording from Illinois Action for Children’s policy team to hear about the FY21 state budget and how it will impact children and families. This webinar provided an overview of important child care policy changes due to the public health crisis. View Webinar | View Slides

2019

Legislative Session Recap

The Illinois General Assembly was busy this legislative session, and it can be hard to keep up. Learn how the decisions made for funding early childhood care and education in FY2020 and how that will impact children and families.

  • Legislation that passed the Illinois General Assembly this spring, including what it means for children, families, and early childhood programs; and
  • The state budget for FY2020 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) that has been signed into law, including early childhood funding levels and what it means for the field.

View Webinar | View Slides

 

IAFCs State Policy & Budget Priorities Webinar

During this webinar the top policy agenda items were discussed for this year’s legislative session. Especially:

  • Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY20 budget and how it would impact early childhood services.
  • IAFC’s policy priorities for this legislative session and the upcoming fiscal year.
  • Opportunities to take action and advocate for a strong early childhood system for Illinois’ children and families

View Webinar | View Slides

 

Lead in Water

Last year, Illinois passed legislation that requires certain licensed child care centers and homes to test drinking water for lead and mitigate when necessary. Illinois Action for Children and our partners at the Environmental Defense Fund and Elevate Energy hosted a four part webinar series addressing lead in water overview, testing for lead in water, and mitigation strategies.

To view the webinars and complete the DCFS certification process, view this page.