April 27, 2016

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Ms. L. Kelley Washington

Executive Director

Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development

160 N LaSalle St, Suite N-100

Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Ms. Washington,

This letter is in response to Illinois' request to amend its approved Preschool Development Grant (PDG -

Expansion). The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services (the Departments) approved Illinois' grant projects and scope of work on June 3, 2015. On

February 26, 2016, the Illinois' Governor's Office of Early childhood Development submitted a budget

amendment request.

As you are aware, the Departments have the authority to approve amendments provided that such a

change does not alter the scope or objectives of the approved proposal. On September 14, 2015, the

Departments sent a document to Project Directors describing the process by which amendments would

be reviewed and approved or denied. To determine whether approval could be granted, the Departments

have applied the conditions noted in that document and compared it with PDG program requirements

and conditions.

This budget shift aligns with the State's approved scope of work and does not reflect modifications in

any activities. This amendment to the State's budget is approved, as described below:

Illinois proposes to move $1,022,180 in unexpended funds from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015

across budget categories and grant years to provide direct fiscal support to programs and contracts that

will be implementing and providing support to high-quality preschool programs. The unexpended funds

were a result of personnel hiring delays, contract savings, and underutilized technical assistance funds.

The movement of unspent funds to individual subgrantees is based on changes in the projection of slots

per site and revised program expenditures. The proposed realignment of funds will support Illinois as

they continue their PDG-Expansion implementation.

We understand that this amendment request will not impact Illinois' overall PDG-Expansion goals,

plans, outcomes, or performance measures, but will ensure Illinois can continue to make progress on its

PDG-Expansion scope of work activities.

Please note that this letter will be posted on the Department of Education's website as a record of the

amendment request and our approval. All budget changes are recorded in the GRADS360 system and

the detailed budget request is saved in the official grant file.
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We are confident that Illinois will continue its comprehensive efforts towards building successful state

systems of early learning. If you need any assistance regarding PDG-E, please do not hesitate to contact

your Project Officer, Miriam Lund, at (202) 401-2871 or miriam.lund@ed.gov.

Sincerely,

 /s/

Libby

Deputy Assistant Secretary

Office of Early Learning

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

U.S. Department of Education

 /s/

Linda K. Smith

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood

Development

Administration for Children and Families

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services