Quincy Reporter

Senator Jil Tracy highlighted a new childcare center for the John Wood Community College (JWCC) campus, describing it as a "much needed service for our area," in an October 18 Facebook post.

"Thank you to John Wood Community College and Parent and Child Together - PACT for West Central Illinois for your collaboration," said Tracy, State Senator, according to Facebook.

According to her Facebook post, Tracy shared a link to a WGEM Facebook post that included a report on the new childcare center. In the report, published on October 18, WGEM announced that the JWCC Board of Trustees had approved the plans at its Wednesday meeting. "We feel like this partnership will both help the community in providing additional childcare seats that will be available; but will also help the John Wood Community College students, in that they’ll be able to attend college and be provided this service," said JWCC President Bryan Renfro in the WGEM article.

Screenshot of Sen. Jil Tracy's Oct. 18 Facebook post | State Senator Jil Tracy Facebook page

In an October 17 news release, JWCC announced the approval of the low bid from John Petty & Sons Construction to renovate the campus and lease it to PACT Head Start. The space will be located in the southeast portion of the Learning Center. Families with children up to and under three years of age will be able to use the service if they qualify. To qualify, families must be below federal poverty guidelines. Homeless children, foster children, and those with special needs will be considered regardless of income. There are 16 spots available. Construction is expected to begin this fall and operations are anticipated to start in Spring 2025. Children accepted into the program will receive home-based care until renovations are complete.

Tracy has represented the people of the 50th Senate District since January 2023 and currently serves as Senate Republican Whip. Prior to joining the Senate, she served as a State Representative from 2006 through 2014, according to her official biography. She worked as Mt. Sterling City Attorney and as a private lawyer before serving as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General under Attorneys General Jim Ryan and Lisa Madigan. She resides in Quincy with her husband.