A new partnership between the state of Illinois and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will mean free books for Illinois children from birth to five years of age, regardless of family income; Governor JB Pritzker announced the partnership this week.
The new state budget includes $1.4 million to be dedicated to the program, in which new, high-quality children’s books will be mailed to eligible homes around the state.
Studies show that access to books helps young children with brain development, and participation in the Imagination Library program has led to a 29% increase in kindergarten readiness.
There are no details yet on how families will sign up for the expanded program or how quickly wider access to it will be available.
