ILLINOIS, July 21 - School Facilities with Clean Air Record Fewer Sick Students and Improved Academic Performance

"The health and well-being of our youngest children is a key priority for my administration," Governor Pritzker said. "By providing resources to maintain good air quality in our Day Care Centers, we can keep kids and staff healthy, prevent absences and also improve children's ability to learn and gain essential skills."

"I have devoted much of my career to protecting and promoting the health of children," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, a pediatrician. "The last few years have highlighted the importance of good ventilation in preventing the indoor transmission of viruses and keeping children and adults safe from respiratory illnesses. These HEPA air purifiers are an important investment in our children's present and future. I am very excited that IDPH is partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services to provide tools to keep very young kids served by our Day Care Centers healthy to develop, learn, and grow."

"As we have seen particularly in the last few years, air quality is critically important to health. The more our young leaners are in school surrounded by peers and engaging with each other, the better it is for them on so many levels including socially, mentally and of course educationally," said Illinois DCFS Director Marc D. Smith. "We are grateful that this program eases what could be an additional financial burden for our day cares while providing health benefits to our children and staff."