Gov inks early education law with first lady in attendance

CHICAGO (AP) - A proposal bolstering Illinois funding for early education is now law.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the plan Thursday at an event with his wife, Diana Rauner. She runs an early education organization called The Ounce of Prevention Fund.

Under existing state law, 14 percent of grant money for early education was set aside for children up to age 3. Under the new measure, it eventually will grow to 20 percent.

The Ounce of Prevention Fund is among nearly 100 organizations suing Rauner's administration over fallout from the yearlong budget impasse. Social service providers say they're owed about $160 million.

Diana Rauner, a Democrat, says it was a "business decision" for her organization to sue. The Republican governor says he "shares" the groups' frustrations.

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The bill is SB238