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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – State leaders celebrated Illinois Literacy Day on Wednesday by distributing more than 8,000 books to children across the state. The initiative comes as states are trying to address the country’s historic low literacy rate.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joined the Illinois Literacy Foundation to donate books to families at 22 YMCA locations, reaching 118 early childhood centers and afterschool programs. The Democrat said reading opens a child’s imagination and builds language skills that help develop a lifelong love of learning.
“Those precious moments – opening a book, sharing a story and asking questions – build connections and create memories that last a lifetime,” Giannoulias said.
The Illinois Literacy Foundation said over 2.7 million adults aged 16 to 65 read below a third-grade level. However, roughly twice that number struggle to make sense of paragraphs containing multiple sentences.
Foundation members stress that those numbers are concerning, but ensuring young people have access to books is one of the strongest investments Illinois can make.
“A book in the home, even just one book, significantly improves the chances a young student develops strong reading skills and is on track in school,” said Illinois Literacy Foundation Board Chair Mo Khan.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provided the books, Bernie’s Book Bank, Simon & Schuster and people who purchased books through Bookshop and Amazon wishlists.
“Children who grow up in a home with at least 100 books have a 90% chance of completing ninth grade compared to 30% for children without books in their home,” said Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Illinois Director Andi Drileck.
You can find resources to improve reading and earn a high school diploma through the Illinois Literacy Foundation.