Raising Our Voices: This Year's Progress & The Road Ahead

Join us for a spring event on June 17!

On June 17th, Raising Illinois is bringing the coalition together for a conversation centered on the Spring 2026 Legislative Session and our plans for 2027. Panelists will discuss what moved forward this spring for infants, toddlers and expecting families, along with updates on IDEC ahead of the department's official launch in July.

During this event you will:

  • Get an update on what advanced in Fiscal Year 2026 and during the Spring 2026 Legislative Session
  • Learn more about the IDEC transition happening July 1
  • Hear about our priorities for Fiscal Year 2027
  • Learn how you can get involved & take action on behalf of our state's infants, toddlers and expecting families

"Just like we normalize breastfeeding I'd like to normalize WIC and make it something everyone wants."

-Stephanie Bess

Illinois Department of Human Services

Other Events From Raising Illinois

Haven't joined us before? Check out our Raising Our Voices: Nourishing Families, Fueling Impact event!

Raising Illinois' Raising Our Voices: Nourishing Families, Fueling Impact event centered on the importance of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

 

 

Parents holding newborn baby

Community Conversation Toolkit

Resources created for your community to come together and discuss solutions to challenges families with infants and toddlers are facing today.

Raising Illinois invites you to bring together diverse individuals within your community and discuss the needs of infants, toddlers and expecting families in your area as well as steps that can and should be taken to strengthen your community's early childhood system.

Community Conversations can take many shapes and forms depending on who you invite and the size of your community. It is the conversation that is critical – not the format, size or location. To help get your planning started, Raising Illinois has created a handful of helpful resources.

Discover who’s moving this work forward. Learn more. 

Are you ready? Learn how you can get involved.