Illinois has traditionally used a competitive grant process to parcel out money for preschools.
In the past, that competition was limited to programs that had a history of getting state funds.
But this year, after the legislature appropriated an extra $50 million for preschools, the state board of education threw the competition open to all programs.
Once applications were reviewed and ranked, the board realized it didn't have enough money to fund all qualified applicants, and Preschools in southern Illinois and around the state were shocked to learn they won't be getting the state funding they expected.
But late Thursday, the state board announced it had scrounged another $20 million dollars thanks to a collaboration with Governor Bruce Rauner's office and the Department of Human Services. The money will fund programs that offer extended day preschool or serve high-risk populations, especially for children younger than 3.
