Sorensen Announces Over $3 Million for Early Childhood Education in Northwestern Illinois

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced $3,328,749 in federal grant funding for Head Start education programs in Northwestern Illinois. 

"Early childhood education is one of the most critical investments we can make to level the playing field for our kids and put them on a path to success," said Sorensen. "This funding will increase opportunity across our region, and I look forward to ensuring our children, teachers, and volunteers in Central and Northwestern Illinois have what they need to be successful." 

“This financial investment into early childhood education through Head Start, America’s premier institution in educating and serving low-income children, families, and communities, allows us to continue the work of changing lives one classroom at a time,” said Dwight Ford, Project NOW’s Executive Director. “Project NOW Head Start appreciates the leadership of Congressman Eric Sorensen and bi-partisan support from our elected officials.” 

This grant was awarded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Project Now, Inc. to administer Head Start programming in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties. 

Head Start is a program within HHS that provides comprehensive early childhood education services to children from low-income families. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. 

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