Education (Early Childhood)

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 5602: WORK READINESS-SR SEMESTER GAP

Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, in furtherance of postsecondary and career expectations, shall jointly develop a Senior Gap Semester Pilot Program. Provides that the Pilot Program shall only be offered to students eligible for grade 12 in school districts located within Regional Office of Education 35. Provides that the Pilot Program shall offer a semester-long program in which a grade 12 student may explore a profession or career within the health care industry, agriculture industry, manufacturing industry, and early childhood education industry. Requires the State Board of Education to consult with statewide organizations representing health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and early childhood education, and publish and maintain on its website a current database of employer champions for work-based learning and career readiness systems and programs in each industry.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates a Senior Gap Semester Pilot Program to enhance career readiness and postsecondary pathways for grade 12 students, advancing educational opportunities within specified districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 5701: $FY27 DECE OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Early Childhood for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $2,087,963,000; Other State Funds $299,200,000; Federal Funds $2,037,234,200; Total $4,424,397,200.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $4.4B in state/federal funds to Department of Early Childhood, directly funding public services per budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $4.42B for early childhood education department, directly funding educational access and program support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Early Childhood

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passed · Illinois · House May 26, 2026

HB 4791: SMART START GRANTS-HEAD START

Amends the Smart Start Illinois Act. Expands eligibility under the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands eligibility for Head Start/Early Head Start workforce compensation, increasing funding access for early childhood education programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workforce compensation program eligibility to Head Start childcare workers, directly supporting wage benefits for this employment sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Illinois · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 3216: INC TX-EARLY CHILDHOOD

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are employed as an early childhood teacher or an early childhood assistant during the taxable year and who have a federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year of $75,000 or less. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on January 1, 2026 and beginning before January 1, 2027, the amount of the credit is $1,000. Provides that, for subsequent taxable years, the credit amount shall be adjusted by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar year. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $1,000 income tax credit for early childhood educators with AGI ≤$75k, offering tax relief to lower/middle income public education workers.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1,000 income tax credit for early childhood teachers with AGI under $75k, directly supporting educator compensation in K-12 education.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $1,000 tax credit for early childhood educators under $75k AGI, directly supporting income stability and workforce retention in low-wage education sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood Teachers

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passed both · Illinois · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 4795: SCH-CD-LICENSE-EARLY CHILDHOOD

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a National Board certification-early childhood generalist endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a valid Early Childhood Generalist certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Provides that the endorsement holder is deemed qualified and authorized to provide instruction in early childhood education programs and is deemed to meet or exceed all early childhood instructional competency requirements established by the State Board for pre-kindergarten instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRecognizes National Board certification for early childhood educators, enhancing teacher qualifications and authorization per licensure standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers Tags Licensing

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in committee · Illinois · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 3202: SMART START GRANTS-HEAD START

Amends the Smart Start Illinois Act. Expands eligibility under the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands Smart Start funding eligibility to Head Start programs, increasing early childhood education access and workforce compensation support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands eligibility for child care workforce compensation program, directly funding wages for Head Start workers under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 4108: $FY27 DECE OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Early Childhood for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $2,087,963,000; Other State Funds $299,200,000; Federal Funds $2,037,234,200; Total $4,424,397,200.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $4.4B for Early Childhood department, funding essential public services without cuts or tax changes95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $4.4B in total funding for the Department of Early Childhood, directly advancing educational access and funding for early education programs as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Early Childhood

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signed · Illinois · House Jul 31, 2026

HB 5204: EARLY LEARNING COUNCIL

Amends the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the purpose of the Illinois Early Learning Council. Provides that the Secretary of Early Childhood or the Secretary's designee shall serve as co-chairperson of the Council. Provides that the governor shall appoint to the Council parents and caregivers of children 5 years of age or under. Provides that the Department of Early Childhood shall provide staffing and administrative support to the Council. Sets forth provisions concerning conflicts of interest. Amends the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Provides that specified members of the advisory committee to the Early Childhood Access Consortium shall be appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends council structure to include parent representation and provide administrative support, strengthening early learning coordination within education system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

in committee · Illinois · Senate Jul 13, 2026

SB 3783: INC TX-EDUCATION

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are the custodians of one or more children who attend an eligible preschool program in the State during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit shall be 100% of the eligible expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in sending the child to the eligible preschool program, but not to exceed $1,500 per child. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for preschool expenses (up to $1,500/child), providing targeted tax relief for families and supporting early education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for preschool expenses, reducing costs and expanding access to early childhood education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 2961: CHILD CARE DIRECTORS

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a licensed day care center may hire an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director for a period of 12 months. Requires the hired individual to provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses that meet the requirements set forth in administrative rules. Provides that the individual shall be enrolled in an accredited college or university. Provides that during the 12-month employment period, an Interim Conditional Child Care Director with specified qualifications is exempt from the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables temporary hiring of child care directors completing education, supporting early childhood education access and workforce development in licensed centers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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