Some Head Start childcare programs in Illinois impacted by funding freeze despite promises otherwise

Yahoo

09-02-2025

ELGIN, Ill. – Even after the Trump Administration's recent federal funding freeze was rescinded, dozens of Head Start programs across the country, including some in Illinois, report ongoing issues drawing down approved grant funds.
One of those programs is the Two Rivers Head Start Agency, which serves families, including hundreds of children in Elgin, Aurora, and Sycamore.
'This program has been a foundation for my family, providing not only educational support for my children, but also resources and care,' said one parent who serves as a member on the nonprofit's policy council.
Head Start locations are early childcare and education programs for children ages three to five from low-income families. Those also offer support services for families, including food, medical, dental, and educational and training programs for parents.
In late January, an Executive Order from the Office of Budget and Management announced a temporary pause of agency grant, loan, and financial assistance programs. Two days later, the agency rescinded the budget memo and clarified confusion surrounding the initial order.
The White House said Head Start programs would not be affected by a freeze, which at least two federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders on, but agencies claim they are still dealing with major issues that are putting the services they offer at risk.
Two River Head Start Agency's executive director, Kelly Neidel, said whether the system to access payroll and payments from the federal government – including grant funding already approved – depends on the day. They have been able to draw down some funding but have also run into continuous issues, she said.
'One day the system is turned on, the next day it's not,' said Neidel. 'People have this misconception when you're federally funded, when you get your grant, you just get this whole pool of money and that is not the case.'
Leadership at the nonprofit join other Head Start programs across the country in sharing concerns that ongoing delays could have major consequences.
'…without the ability to predictably pay the rent, buy the food needed to feed the children, and meet payroll, our entire operation is in jeopardy,' read part of a statement from National Head Start Association (NHSA) Executive Director Yasima Vinci.
NHSA stated the current issues are impacting close to 50 programs serving around 20,000 children across the U.S.
On Saturday, Governor JB Pritzker was at Two Rivers' location in Elgin and shared his frustrations – something he has been vocal about since the initial executive order.
'I'm honestly angry that the president and his pet oligarch don't care. They don't seem to care one whit about these folks or about the children that they serve,' said Pritzker. 'Across the state of Illinois, they rely on federal funding to help people in need and shelters for unhoused youth, programs for victims of domestic violence, healthcare clinics, meals on wheels for seniors and on and on, working families and the most vulnerable people in our state are experiencing real pain.'
Amid mounting concerns over current delays, Neidel said they have had to let go of two staff members. Leadership said they fear if the Trump Administration doesn't fix the issue, Two Rivers Head Start Agency will face devastating decisions that will ultimately impact everyone from the teachers and staff to the families receiving services.
'If the center were to close down, it would not only affect my family but many others who rely on it for early childhood education and support,' said one woman. 'This place is more than just a daycare. It is a school, a food pantry, and a help center. This place is my village.'
The Administration for Children and Families blamed funding issues on 'technical issues' and said those would be fixed, though some users may still have issues.
'They lied to us. We were not told these programs were going to be cut and even when they said they were going to bring them back online, they were still lying to us about that,' said Pritzker.
Despite two federal judges' block on the Trump Administration's now-rescinded executive order putting a halt to federal grant and loan funding, attorney generals from nearly two dozen states have filed a motion asking a judge to order the White House unfreeze all previously awarded grant funding.
The joint filing was submitted Friday by leaders, including Attorney General Kwame Raoul, claiming the Trump Administration is defying the order by U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell.
In the meantime, Two Rivers Head Start Agency said it is pleading with President Trump and his administration to fix the issue.
Between their three locations, Neidel said, 37 percent of the approximately 240 children they serve are experiencing homelessness, 3 percent are in foster homes, 11 percent live below the poverty line, and 43 percent of families receive public assistance.
'What he's really done is manufactured a crisis where everyone, including his own voters who depend on programs like Head Start, are hurting,' said Sen. Tammy Duckworth. 'The financial setbacks triggered by Trump's illegal freeze are cruelly forcing providers to weigh impossible decisions.'
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