In Illinois, 9,719 children under the age of three are served by Early Head Start. In addition, 18 percent of 3-year-olds and 27 percent of 4-year-olds are served through state-run pre-K programs. In Chicago, access is even more widespread with 75 percent of low-income children aged 3 and 4 years enrolled in pre-K education. Additionally, the average annual cost of center-based infant care in the state is $12,697. With the governor and mayors across the state on board, early childhood education has become a common sense solution to solving economic issues in Illinois. Decisions about funding and expansion are being made this year in the legislature.