Illinois is set to expand preschool to an even younger crowd. Three-year-olds will soon qualify. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says the expansion is a no-brainer.

But critics like Republican State Senator Suzanne Bassi say Illinois can’t afford the measure’s $45 million yearly price tag. Bassi also questions whether the program’s 10,000 spaces can meet demand.

“It’s a game, I mean it’s a P.R. pop, it’s a ploy for election. Are we in an election season, absolutely, but to use parents’ and kids’ expectations for that kind of thing to get re-elected is not OK,” she says

Bassi says preschool expansion will crimp overall education funding.

Supporters expect preschool expansion to save money in the long run. They claim it’s easier to teach kids who attend preschool.