SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois will get nearly $35 million if federal aid for early childhood education.

The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant will fund a website to inform parents about school-program quality and help communities find programs that match children's needs.

It will fund professional development for early-childhood teachers, will allow the state to make one-time investments in efficiency, assist streamlining of program administration and data systems. It'll also pay for program evaluation to determine effectiveness.