In recognition of National Read Across America Day, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced a coordinated literacy initiative that distributed thousands of children’s books and brought volunteer readers into YMCA sites across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, reinforcing the importance of reading as a shared, lifelong activity. The Illinois Literacy Foundation, in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, hosted a Day of Service on March 2, 2026, as part of National Read Across America Day. The effort was supported by the Secretary of State’s Office and the Illinois State Library, with over 2,000 books being distributed to children and families. The initiative is expected to reach approximately 2,100 children across multiple partner sites, including:

• 21 YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago sites, serving an estimated 1,297 children;

• Five Metropolitan Family Services sites, serving approximately 763 children; and

• One Friends of the Children site, serving about 40 children through a YMCA-hosted program operated by Friends of the Children.

The Day of Service took place at YMCA sites throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, with volunteer readers – many of them seniors and longtime YMCA volunteers – reading age-appropriate books to children enrolled in YMCA programs.