Evanston Early Childhood Council

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Infant and Toddler Providers' Conversation: IDEC Transition, Feedback, and Next Steps. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. As we approach the July 1 transition to the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), we invite childcare and home visiting providers to come together for a conversation about what this change means for the field and for the families and communities we serve. This meeting is an opportunity to r...

2026 Free Summer Lunches at Skokie public Library

We are partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide free summer lunches for kids 18 years and younger.

Meals will be offered at the library 12:15-1 pm, Mondays through Fridays, starting Monday, June 8, and ending Friday, August 21. There are no meals on Friday, June 19, or Friday, July 3. Meals must be eaten at the library and will be served in the Café and South Courtyard (weather permitting).

Skokie Juneteenth celebration this Sunday 12 - 4 p.m., Oakton Park

Skokie’s 2026 Juneteenth celebration features activities and performances for all ages at Oakton Park. This year's theme is Lifting As We Climb.
This event is a collaboration of Skokie United, Skokie Park District, Skokie Public Library, Skokie Morton Grove School District 69, and Niles Township High School District 219, and the Village of Skokie.

Don't Forget to Register! Raising Our Voices: This Year's Progress & The Road Ahead

On June 17th, Raising Illinois is bringing the coalition together for a conversation centered on the Spring 2026 Legislative Session and our plans for 2027. Panelists will discuss what moved forward this spring for infants, toddlers and expecting families, along with updates on IDEC ahead of the department's official launch in July.

During this event you will:

-Get an update on what advanced in Fiscal Year 2026 and during the Spring 2026 Legislative Session
-Learn more about the IDEC transition happening July 1
-Hear about our priorities for Fiscal Year 2027
-Learn how you can get involved & take action on behalf of our state's infants, toddlers and expecting families

Register Today: https://bit.ly/4f3TA02

Evanston Art Center Family Fun Day Sunday:
Join us this Sunday, June 14th for a day full of family fun! Participate in community mural painting with Curatorial Fellow Indira Freitas Johnson, and then come inside to make your very own puppet with Marilyn Price! This is a day you won't want to miss!

Stroller Strides® is a 60-minute total-body workout with strength, cardio, and core training, all while engaging the little ones in a stroller! You’ll leave class feeling strong, empowered, connected, and energized—no matter your stage of motherhood. Our free intro class is being brought to us by Fit4Mom Central North Shore Chicago. Bring your little one in a stroller and have fun with us!

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Robert Crown Branch Library

Registration is required. Each participant will receive a link to waiver forms provided by Fit4Mom. Register here: https://ow.ly/pQLx50Z8faY

Sensory activities can be a great way to support your child’s regulation. Because every child is different, finding sensory activities that work best for them can be a valuable tool in helping them feel calm and focused.🌟

At CANS, we incorporate sensory-based activities into our sessions to help children build regulation skills in an engaging and supportive environment.