(The Center Square) – Preschools in Illinois are expanding in some areas due to the $250 million taxpayer-funded Smart Start Program.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the Smart Start Program looks to make early childhood daycare and preschool more accessible for families throughout the state. The program is run by the Illinois State Board of Education, which hopes to add 5,000 seats in certain areas. However, on Wednesday, Pritzker said the state had exceeded that number.