Babies Can't Wait: We Need Early Intervention!
Early Intervention can help ensure that infants and toddlers with or at-risk of developmental delays or disabilities have the best chance for healthy development and success. Illinois' EI program provides a range of developmental and social-emotional services, including speech and language, occupational and physical therapies and social work, that improve short- and long-term outcomes for young children and support families to better meet their child’s unique needs.
Despite EI's proven impact, thousands of Illinois families are being left on waiting lists and unable to access services, which they are legally entitled to receive under federal law. These service delays are tied directly to the program’s ongoing workforce crisis brought on by unsustainably high caseloads, low compensation and high turnover.
As part of the Babies Can't Wait: We Need EI campaign, join us in calling on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to substantially increase EI funding in the state's Fiscal Year 2026 budget and address the program's staffing shortage and severe backlog in services for infants, toddlers and their families. Check out our Early Intervention Fact Sheet for more information about the current state of EI in the state (ver en español).
Find out how you can get involved below and continue to check this page and follow us on social media for more opportunities to take action!
Ask Your Legislators to Prioritize EI in the Final FY26 Budget!
Join Start Early & Raising Illinois in calling on our state legislature to prioritize our youngest learners today and during this new legislative session.
Sign the Petition
Join 1,000+ others and add your name to this petition, which was created by Raising Illinois Family Leaders Kesha Harris & Stephanie Jimenez, along with Erika Reffett. Anyone who cares about infants and toddlers with disabilities and delays can sign this petition and demonstrate the collective call on Illinois leaders to prioritize families now.
Share Your Story
If you or your family have been impacted by or have a story to share about Early Intervention, we'd love to hear from you! Fill out this easy-to-use form, so your story can be added to print and/or digital postcards that we will share out to amplify why we need EI.
Organizational Sign-On
Add your organization to this sign-on letter, which calls on Illinois legislators to increase funding for the Early Intervention program by $60 million in the state's FY 2026 budget.
Post on Social Media
Use our easy-to-use Babies Can't Wait: We Need EI Social Media Toolkit to amplify the urgent need for increased EI funding and to invite your personal and professional networks to join efforts on behalf of Illinois families and the EI workforce. Our toolkit includes both English and Spanish posts, allows you to post to any and all major platforms and even includes a photo frame option!
View Photos from Events Across the State:
Babies Can't Wait: In the News
WCIA-TV (CBS)
Host: Champaign County Home Visiting Consortium
October 22, 2024
WQAD-TV (ABC)
Host: SAL Family & Community Services
October 29, 2024
WTTW-TV (PBS)
October 30, 2024
WBBM News Radio, 780 AM
November 1, 2024
Capitol News Illinois
Also published in Crain's Chicago Business
November 14, 2024
Central Illinois Proud, WMBD-TV
Host: Early Childhood Forum of Central Illinois
October 22, 2024
WMBD Radio, 1470 AM & 100.3 FM
Host: Early Childhood Forum of Central Illinois
October 30, 2024
WVON Radio, 1690 AM
October 30, 2024
WGN-AM, Outside the Loop
November 2, 2024
Timestamp: 18:31-30:13
Host a Community Event
Community members and families across the state are hosting events and rallies to both demonstrate the impact of EI services and amplify experiences of families who are unable to access these services. Are you interested in or already planning a Babies Can't Wait event or rally? Check out our Community Event Host Toolkit for resources and tips for planning a successful and impactful event!