Education experts ‘thrilled’ over Illinois 2024 fiscal year budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Education experts said they are excited to see more money being set aside for education from pre-K to college to fund investments they argue are critical.

A highlight in this year’s state budget is education, with more funding to help the state’s students, teachers and schools.

One of the headlines from Governor J.B. Pritzker’s February budget address was Smart Start Illinois. The program aims to provide early childhood programs for all young Illinoisans. The budget would allocate $250 million for the first year of the plan.

“You can put a lot of work into K-12, and higher ed, but if you’re not building the foundations in early childhood, you’re missing the boat,” Mark Klaisner, the president of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendent of Schools, said. “You already start…