In a bid to bolster early childhood education, Governor JB Pritzker announced the statewide rollout of a new literacy initiative, partnering with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to provide free books to Illinois kiddos. The program, which sends age-appropriate books to children from birth until age five, will be backed by a $1.6 million slice of the state's FY24 budget.
With high expectations for the program's impact, Pritzker, in broad terms, highlighted the importance of early literacy. "Today, I couldn't be prouder to announce that Illinois is beginning its journey to provide every child under the age of five an opportunity to sign up and have a free book delivered to their house every month," Pritzker told the Illinois government news site. The program's thrust is to get a leg up on language and social skills for its youngest learners.
Dolly Parton, whose foundation runs the Imagination Library, chimed in with her own enthusiasm for the expansion program, thanking the governor and the state's local program partners. "I am so excited to announce that Illinois is expanding my Imagination Library statewide," Parton said. Illinois joins the list of states implementing the initiative, which has already gifted more than 220 million books globally.
The Dollywood Foundation, an organization founded in 1988, currently oversees the Imagination Library across forty Illinois counties, reaching over 30,000 children. With the statewide expansion, the program looks set to enroll all eligible children in Illinois. According to research cited by the announcement, the groundwork for brain development is laid in the first five years of life when about 90% of it occurs, making initiatives like the Imagination Library key for early development.
Other state leaders piped up about the launch, echoing the sentiment that literacy is fundamental. "Every child should have access to books at home," Dr. Tony Sanders, Illinois State Superintendent of Education, insisted. "The Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the State of Illinois are removing barriers to early literacy by providing free books to our youngest readers." Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford also praised the program for its ability to inspire and educate.
Illinois parents looking to get their children enrolled in the program can check availability and sign up through the Imagination Library's website. For those interested in becoming local program partners in this educational endeavor, contact information is provided by the foundation.
