Suburban law enforcement want money for preschools

SPRINGFIELD — Three suburban law enforcement officials Thursday urged state lawmakers not to cut spending on preschool, saying money spent now on kids could save the expense of law enforcement later.

“We have to reach kids long before they come through the criminal justice system,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

The group released a report saying that $55 million in state preschool cuts could lead to $200 million in future law-enforcement as at-risk children miss a chance that “curbs future criminal behavior” as well as preparing them for success in school.

“I see the difference in my grandchildren, who are in preschool now,” said Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine.

The group, called Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, could face a tough road for its request, though, as lawmakers in Springfield are in the process of making their annual budget and looking for places to save money — including cutting deep into health care spending for the poor and other tough cuts.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart acknowledged as much.

“I know the process is neither easy, nor pretty, at times,” Dart said.

“To cut into preschool is beyond foolish,” Dart said. “It’s reckless.”