Pillar 1: Ensure Illinois is Best in Nation for Raising Families

The Commission recognizes that the Strategic Plan is not static and will continue to be informed by the efforts of government partners, community-based organizations, businesses, and philanthropy. To that end, the Commission continues to engage stakeholders in those regions of the State that are most impacted by deep poverty, to ensure strategies and solutions meet the varied needs of our diverse State.

Pillar 1 Strategies:

  1. Ensure Access to High Quality Early Childhood Services, Including Early Intervention, Home Visiting and Affordable Childcare
  2. Find a Method to Replicate the Federal Child Tax Credit for Families Raising Children
  3. Expand Access to Free and Reduced Price School Meals
  4. Increase Participation in WIC by Improving Accessibility for Those Who are Eligible

Subcommittee members:

Appointment Name Affiliation
Chairperson Sophie Milam Special Policy Advisor, Greater Chicago Food Depository
Commission Member Representative Jeff Keicher Illinois State Representative
Commission Member Senator Kimberly Lightford Illinois State Senator
Commission Member Annie Hewitt Office of Senator Neil Anderson
Commission Member Rev. Dwight Ford Executive Director, Project NOW
IWGP Member Tyler Bohannon Bureau Chief, Legislative Affairs, Illinois Department of Agriculture
IWGP Member Jennifer Saba Chief Education Officer - Operations, Illinois State Board of Education
Public member/IDHS SME Lisa Cohen Women, Youth, and Family Services Program Manager, IDHS-Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Public member/IDHS SME Ahlam Jbarra Chief of Staff,  IDHS-Division of Family and Community Services
Public member/IDHS SME Stephanie Bess Associate Director, Office of Family Wellness, IDHS-Division of Family and Community Services

 Meetings: