Trending...
- ReviewsAlly Launches Evidence-Based Review Platform for VPNs, Business Software, and Online Services
- CGI Announces Pre-Order Launch for New Integrated Behavioral Health Book
- Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Forward Focus!, Bringing Vision Health, STEM Exploration, and Healthcare Career Discovery to Chicago Youth
CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Announces $7M Investment to Increase Salaries for Early Childhood Professionals
In a move to support the early childhood workforce and provide quality care for young learners, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have announced a $7 million investment. This investment will go towards increasing salaries for early childhood professionals, with the goal of bringing their pay closer in line with the broader K-12 education workforce.
This is the first time that corporate funds will be used to enhance the early childhood workforce, leveraging Mayor Johnson's $7 million investment. At least 3,000 early childhood workers across 86 early care and education providers will receive wage increases averaging 5-10%.
Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, "At a time when the federal government is cutting funding for early childhood, the City of Chicago is stepping up." He added that this investment not only benefits young learners but also supports parents who rely on the early childhood workforce and recognizes the dignity of these workers.
The $7 million investment will result in a 5-10% increase in salary for all state-funded workers. Additionally, Head Start workers will receive a one-time bonus of 2%. Currently, non-federally funded early childhood workers have an average salary of $35,000, significantly lower than that of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) educators.
More on illi News
Acting DFSS Commissioner Maura McCauley highlighted the importance of investing in the early learning workforce, stating that "a successful early learning landscape hinges on the strength of our workforce." She also mentioned that this investment towards pay parity is just one step and that DFSS will continue its efforts to move towards pay parity through a forthcoming study with recommendations for future salary funding.
To ensure equitable distribution of funds and alignment with CPS salaries, DFSS Children Services Division will coordinate a research and evaluation project with Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE). This project will provide a comprehensive analysis of models and make recommendations for a funding strategy that allocates funding to community-based organizations.
Tahiti Hamer, an early childhood teacher at the North Lawndale YMCA, expressed her gratitude for this investment, stating, "We are here today because Mayor Johnson and the City Council listened to the voices of organized early childhood workers, parents, and community who have a vision for good jobs and child care for all." She added that this investment will not only support workers but also ensure that child care centers can stay open to serve families in need.
More on illi News
Rocio Garcia, a Chicago parent, shared her personal experience with the lack of affordable and culturally responsive childcare in her neighborhood. She emphasized the importance of adequate pay for childcare workers so they can afford to stay in the field and provide quality care for children.
This investment aligns with Mayor Johnson's proclamation last month declaring April as Month of the Young Child. It also supports two of his administration's top priorities: investing in young people and supporting working people.
Brynn Seibert, Vice President & Child Care & Early Learning Division Director at SEIU Healthcare Illinois, praised Mayor Johnson's leadership in addressing the child care workforce crisis. She mentioned that SEIU Healthcare Illinois and the Child Care for All coalition have been advocating for this investment through town halls, budget listening sessions, City Council testimonies, and a petition with 1,800 signatures delivered to City Hall.
The $7 million investment comes from the City's Corporate funds allocated by the Office of Budget and Management. With this investment, Chicago is taking a crucial step towards supporting its early childhood workforce and providing quality care for young learners.
In a move to support the early childhood workforce and provide quality care for young learners, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have announced a $7 million investment. This investment will go towards increasing salaries for early childhood professionals, with the goal of bringing their pay closer in line with the broader K-12 education workforce.
This is the first time that corporate funds will be used to enhance the early childhood workforce, leveraging Mayor Johnson's $7 million investment. At least 3,000 early childhood workers across 86 early care and education providers will receive wage increases averaging 5-10%.
Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, "At a time when the federal government is cutting funding for early childhood, the City of Chicago is stepping up." He added that this investment not only benefits young learners but also supports parents who rely on the early childhood workforce and recognizes the dignity of these workers.
The $7 million investment will result in a 5-10% increase in salary for all state-funded workers. Additionally, Head Start workers will receive a one-time bonus of 2%. Currently, non-federally funded early childhood workers have an average salary of $35,000, significantly lower than that of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) educators.
More on illi News
- Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. David Moore, City Of Chicago Launch "Keep Chicago Clean" City Beautification Campaign
- Sylvester Anthony III Introduces His Artist Journey with Debut Single "Cherish"
- BCD Meetings & Events Client Survey Finds Cost Pressures and ROI Driving Priorities in 2026
- Boston Industrial Solutions Introduces High-Performance Primer for Bonding Liquid Silicone to Epoxy
- Healthcare Leaders Publish New Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Guide, Led by Doctors of Behavioral Health
Acting DFSS Commissioner Maura McCauley highlighted the importance of investing in the early learning workforce, stating that "a successful early learning landscape hinges on the strength of our workforce." She also mentioned that this investment towards pay parity is just one step and that DFSS will continue its efforts to move towards pay parity through a forthcoming study with recommendations for future salary funding.
To ensure equitable distribution of funds and alignment with CPS salaries, DFSS Children Services Division will coordinate a research and evaluation project with Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE). This project will provide a comprehensive analysis of models and make recommendations for a funding strategy that allocates funding to community-based organizations.
Tahiti Hamer, an early childhood teacher at the North Lawndale YMCA, expressed her gratitude for this investment, stating, "We are here today because Mayor Johnson and the City Council listened to the voices of organized early childhood workers, parents, and community who have a vision for good jobs and child care for all." She added that this investment will not only support workers but also ensure that child care centers can stay open to serve families in need.
More on illi News
- Verbica Challenges Panetta to a Televised Debate on the Issues
- Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Signs Executive Order Establishing Office of Gun Violence Reduction
- Salt Lake City Families Turn to Private Autopsy Services for Faster Answers After Unexpected Loss
- Naperville: Structure Fire in the 1000 Block of Devonshire Court
- K2 Integrity's U.S. and EMEA Teams Again Recognized in Chambers and Partners 2026 Guides
Rocio Garcia, a Chicago parent, shared her personal experience with the lack of affordable and culturally responsive childcare in her neighborhood. She emphasized the importance of adequate pay for childcare workers so they can afford to stay in the field and provide quality care for children.
This investment aligns with Mayor Johnson's proclamation last month declaring April as Month of the Young Child. It also supports two of his administration's top priorities: investing in young people and supporting working people.
Brynn Seibert, Vice President & Child Care & Early Learning Division Director at SEIU Healthcare Illinois, praised Mayor Johnson's leadership in addressing the child care workforce crisis. She mentioned that SEIU Healthcare Illinois and the Child Care for All coalition have been advocating for this investment through town halls, budget listening sessions, City Council testimonies, and a petition with 1,800 signatures delivered to City Hall.
The $7 million investment comes from the City's Corporate funds allocated by the Office of Budget and Management. With this investment, Chicago is taking a crucial step towards supporting its early childhood workforce and providing quality care for young learners.
0 Comments
Latest on illi News
- HomeCentris Healthcare Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire S&K Holdings, Expanding Mid Atlantic Platform
- Nayarit Strengthens Its Position as a Global Surf Destination; Sayulita to Become Mexico's First Official Surf City
- Century Fasteners de Mexico Exhibiting at 2026 Farnborough International Airshow
- Pregis Opens Customer Experience Centers in Atlanta and Los Angeles, Creating More Access to Customers Nationwide
- George Martinez Completes Community Re-distribution Initiative, Returning $5,000 In Campaign Resources To Anchorage Nonprofits
- Hardwood Floor Refinishing Services That Transform Spaces and Increase Property Value
- Naperville Police Arrest Three Following Investigation into June 18 Armed Robbery
- Mister Omaha Tries The Turf At Lone Star Park
- Andrew D. Levine Releases The Lily Network, an Indian Noir Mystery of Power, Paperwork & Murder
- The Mapping Software Behind America's Viral Maps Just Got Faster and Smarter
- "For the Love of God" Short Story eBook by Michael Finney Now Available on Amazon
- Longevityresearch.ca publishes cross-disease causal analysis quantifying endpoint reduction across 27 diseases
- Joulescope JS320 Launches to Help Engineers Develop Battery-Powered Devices with Greater Confidence
- Ghanaian Afrobeat Artist Praise Kusi Announces Upcoming EP "After 21:00" Releasing July 3, 2026
- TURRENTINE: A Family Legacy United Through Music
- Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Forward Focus!, Bringing Vision Health, STEM Exploration, and Healthcare Career Discovery to Chicago Youth
- Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. Anthony Quezada, CDOT, and Logan Square Community Celebrate Completion of Logan Square Redesign and Milwaukee Ave Streetscape Project
- Mayor Brandon Johnson Joins Project sWish, Chicago Park District for Late Night Basketball Summer Kickoff
- Save 10 Percent Off Summer Stays at KeysCaribbean Resorts
- CGI Announces Pre-Order Launch for New Integrated Behavioral Health Book