Birth to Five Illinois Launches Statewide Family Leadership Council to Strengthen Parent Voice (Chicago, IL) – Birth to Five Illinois has launched a Statewide Family Leadership Council, expanding parent and caregiver leadership beyond local regions and into statewide early childhood planning. The council is made up of parents and caregivers who previously served three-year terms on regional Birth to Five Family Councils and Action Councils, where they provided input on early childhood education and care needs in their communities.
The new statewide council, which first convened in September, will meet every other month. Members will serve one-year terms and receive stipends for their participation. Council members may also take part in public engagement efforts such as reviewing communication materials, co-leading parent discussions or participating in interviews.
Birth to Five Illinois leaders say the statewide council will ensure that families who directly use early childhood services continue to shape how those programs are implemented and improved across the state.
A primary focus for the council’s first year is increasing awareness among families of what early childhood programs and supports are available in their communities — an issue members identified based on their experiences navigating the system.
Since its launch in 2022, Birth to Five Illinois has formed family councils in all 39 regions of the state to gather input from caregivers and improve coordination of early childhood services. The organization aims to build a more community-centered approach to supporting families with young children.
FY2026 Birth to Five Illinois Statewide Family Leadership Council Members:
- Region 1-A: Alisa Radcliffe, Roseland (Cook County)
- Region 1-B-B: Jukselin Nuñez, Northlake (Cook County)
- Region 1-B-C: Simone Gatlin, Oak Lawn (Cook County)
- Region 3: Meghan Rewers, Effingham (Effingham County)
- Region 8: Lauren Dick, Lena (Stephenson County)
- Region 12: Samantha Weidner, Louisville (Clay County)
- Region 13: Hannah Raney, Woodlawn (Jefferson County)
- Region 19: Kimberly Choate, Downers Grove (DuPage County)
- Region 20: Christy Vaughan, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)
- Region 21: Emily Crowell, West Frankfort (Franklin County)
- Region 24: Michelle Lynn Strom, Plano (Kendall County)
- Region 26: Kelly Nelson, Macomb (McDonough County)
- Region 28: Emily Rorem, Wyoming (Stark County)
- Region 30: Sheridan Johnson Sr., Carbondale (Jackson County)
- Region 31: LuAnna Handley, Aurora (Kane County)
- Region 32: Ali Denault, Bourbonnais (Kankakee County)
- Region 33: Marie Laure Lamare, Galesburg (Knox County)
- Region 39: Sammantha Barrera, Decatur (Macon County)
- Region 40: Kelly Ballard, Roodhouse (Greene County)
- Region 41: Dawna Miller, Highland (Madison County)
- Region 45: Brittany Rongey, Waterloo (Monroe County)
- Region 47: Candace Antczak, Mount Morris (Ogle County)
- Region 48: Kerishena Deal, Peoria (Peoria County)
- Region 50: Katie Manno, Belleville (St. Clair County)
- Region 51: LeAnn Bell, Springfield (Sangamon County)
- Region 53: Allisa List, Mason City (Mason County)
- Region 54: Tateana Bailey, Danville (Vermilion County)
- Region 56: Krista Escamillo, Plainfield (Will County)
Birth to Five Illinois says the new council will help ensure that early childhood policy decisions reflect the voices of families who rely on preschool, childcare and developmental support programs.
More information about the council and regional planning efforts can be found at www.birthtofiveil.com/advisory.
Birth to Five Illinois Launches Statewide Family Leadership Council to Strengthen Parent Voice
