(The Center Square) – After school program providers, legislators, and families continue to call on the governor to release millions of dollars appropriated in the Illinois state budget for after school programs.
The Afterschool for Children and Teens Now coalition, known as ACT Now, is asking for the Illinois State Board of Education and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to distribute the funding to after-school providers as soon as possible.
Susan Stanton, executive director, said more than 27,000 students across Illinois have lost access to after school programs as a result of the delay.
“Fifty-million dollars was appropriated in this year’s budget for after school programs and hasn’t been released yet,” said Stanton. “This funding became available on July 1, 2024. We need this funding released immediately because many programs recently had to shut their doors due to a lack of” funding.
Stanton adds that the coalition is planning to send a letter with more than 300 signatures to the governor’s office asking him to release the funding. Stanton added that she hopes to receive an update by the end of the week.
State Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, has sponsored legislation to secure after school funding in future state budgets.
“This is about prioritizing as we’re having the conversations now because we’re also talking about next year’s budget, so it’s kind of a two-fold approach,” said Villanueva.
The budget for fiscal year 2026 begins on July 1 and ends on June 30, 2026.
The Illinois State Board of Education said the agency is waiting for guidance from the General Assembly regarding the distribution of the funds.
