Chicago City Wire

Today in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the hosting of the second annual Early Childhood Town Hall. The event is organized in partnership with Every Child Ready Chicago (ECRC) and includes the launch of the ECRC Strategic Framework. This framework outlines priorities for building a more equitable early childhood system in Chicago.

"This Town Hall is an essential opportunity to come together with community leaders, parents and educators to strengthen our early education and family support systems as we look toward a brighter future through 2025 and beyond," stated Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Every family in Chicago deserves access to quality early childhood education, which lays the foundation for lifelong success."

The Town Hall took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago on November 13th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., highlighting collaborative efforts by ECRC committees to advance early childhood priorities. Attendees reviewed the new framework and received updates on initiatives led by various city agencies, including presentations from organizations like Birth to Five Illinois and EC-Reach.

Every Child Ready Chicago is a public-private partnership aimed at ensuring children enter kindergarten prepared for success. This effort aligns support systems for children from prenatal-to-five years old, enhancing infrastructure to help more children be ready for school.

Mayor Johnson reflected on Barbara Taylor Bowman's legacy in early childhood education: "Barbara Taylor Bowman’s legacy is deeply woven into Chicago’s early childhood education system... As we launch the Every Child Ready Chicago Strategic Framework, we honor Barbara’s life’s work and unwavering commitment to equity and excellence in early childhood education."

Since its inception in 2019, ECRC has worked towards unifying Chicago's early childhood system through collaboration among leaders from various sectors. The ECRC Working Group continues guiding efforts toward developing an equitable system for young residents.

"As a member of Mayor Johnson’s education transition committee, I am proud to support this strategic framework that reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency and genuine community engagement," said Nakisha S. Harris Hobbs, CEO of It Takes a Village (ITAV). "It is a testament to the power of listening... At ITAV, we know that equitable access to quality education can transform lives."

For further details about Every Child Ready Chicago (ECRC), visit their website at ECRC.org.