Oakton closing Des Plaines campus preschool

Oakton Community College's board voted Tuesday to close a preschool on the school's Des Plaines campus June 30, despite protest from professors and families who wanted the early education center to stay open.

The board approved a plan to consolidate the preschool and Oakton's early childhood education academic program at the Skokie campus. The college cited the state's nearly two-year budget impasse as a reason for cutting the spending.

"I think it was really a tough vote," college spokesman Paul Palian said. "I think every one of the board members echoed that sentiment."

The move will cut six jobs and require about 30 families to go elsewhere for early childhood education.