Illinois business leaders: Boost workforce & economy through early childhood investments
WHAT: A virtual event to release a report from Illinois business leaders on the ways that investing in early care and education — as recommended by a statewide, bipartisan commission — can strengthen our workforce and economy.
WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2022 - 10 a.m., CTWHERE: Register for this Zoom event at tinyurl.com/4xp2bwts. A link to the report and video will be available to all registrants. Media members can ask questions via the chat.
WHO: Illinois business executives who are members of ReadyNation, including:
Sarah Hartwick — VP of Education & Workforce Policy, Illinois Manufacturers Association
Wendy Pfeil — President/CEO, Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce
Ashley Villarreal — President & CEO, Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce
Also speaking will be George Davis, former Executive Director of Human Services for the City of Rockford and Co-Chair of the Illinois Early Childhood Funding Commission, as well as Kate Buchanan, Illinois State Deputy Director, ReadyNation.
WHY:
For many years, deficiencies in our system of early childhood supports have undermined the stability and productivity of Illinois’ economy
Two years of the COVID pandemic have only exacerbated these challenges in child care and other birth-to-5 services
The recommendations from a bipartisan, statewide commission — issued nearly one year ago — represent a good blueprint for strengthening our early childhood system, as well as for strengthening supports for working families and their employers. Illinois business leaders urge further action on these proposals, to help bolster economic recovery in long-lasting ways.