Condemns President Donald Trump's effort to freeze funds for affordable childcare. Calls for the immediate release of all congressionally appropriated childcare funds.
Amends the School Code regarding the establishment of kindergartens. With respect to a provision stating that kindergarten should provide opportunities for play-based learning, defines: (1) "play-based learning" as either guided play or student-initiated play; (2) "guided play" as intentional teacher-directed play with activities set up and led by a teacher that are aligned to learning goals or standards; and (3) "student-initiated play" as child-selected opportunities to build, pretend, create, move, or explore in an environment intentionally curated by a teacher to align with learning goals or standards.
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, any pupil enrolled in the public schools who is of compulsory school age but who has not yet attended kindergarten at a public, private, or parochial school shall be required to satisfactorily complete kindergarten before advancing to first grade. Effective immediately.
Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that an early childhood teacher must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) complete 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university with either 6 semester hours in early childhood education or complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; (2) complete 1,560 clock hours of child development experience and 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with either 6 semester hours in early childhood education or Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; (3) complete 2,080 clock hours of child development experience as a teacher assistant in a day care center, complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training, and provide proof of enrollment from an accredited college or university until 30 semester hours are attained or proof of enrollment in an early childhood teacher credentialing program, either of which must be completed in no more than 5 years from the date of initial enrollment; or (4) complete a credentialing program approved by the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with administrative rule.
Creates the Immigration Safe Zones Act. Provides that, within 60 days after the effective date of the Act, the Attorney General shall, in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, publish model policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and State law ensuring that the following facilities remain safe and accessible to all residents of this State, regardless of immigration status: (1) State-funded schools, including licensed day care centers, pre-schools, and other early learning programs; elementary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education; (2) State-funded medical treatment and health care facilities, including hospitals, health clinics, emergency or urgent care facilities, nursing homes, group homes for persons with developmental disabilities, community-integrated living arrangements, and State mental health facilities; (3) public libraries; (4) facilities operated by the Office of the Secretary of State; and (5) courts in this State. Provides that, on and after the effective date of the Act, all applications, questionnaires, and interview forms used in relation to benefits, opportunities, or services provided by a State agency or in-State or in-district tuition verification, scholarships, grants, or services provided by a public elementary or secondary school or public institution of higher education shall be promptly reviewed by that State agency, school, or institution, and any questions regarding citizenship or immigration status, other than those required by statute, ordinance, federal law, or court order, shall be removed within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State funds shall restrict suspensions. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in preschool for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district, director of an early childhood program, or their equivalent and that the length of the suspension for any student in preschool may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district or early childhood program to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Prohibits a student in kindergarten through grade 2 from being expelled unless otherwise required by federal or State law. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in kindergarten through grade 2 for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district and that the length of the suspension for any student in kindergarten through grade 2 may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Provides that a student who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Provides that a student shall not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Makes other changes.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Adds the Secretary of Early Childhood or his or her designee as a member of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities. Provides that the Council shall establish a committee charged with ensuring that all children aged 3 to 5 with disabilities have access to high-quality, inclusive, early-childhood services, provided in the least restrictive environment, across all early learning settings. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Adds the Secretary of Early Childhood or his or her designee as a member of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities. Provides that the Council shall establish a committee charged with ensuring that all children aged 3 to 5 with disabilities have access to high-quality, inclusive, early-childhood services, provided in the least restrictive environment, across all early learning settings. Effective immediately.
SB 2644 proposes to appropriate $20,000,000 from the state's General Revenue Fund. This funding would be allocated to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The purpose of this appropriation is to support various early childhood programs.
Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Provides that beginning on July 1, 2026, a preschool educational program funded by the Department of Early Childhood may admit children ages 3 to 5 who do not otherwise qualify for program services under the low income or at-risk criteria described under the Act if and only if open enrollment slots are available in the program after all reasonable efforts have been made to fill those slots with qualifying children. Provides that a preschool educational program that admits non-qualifying children must demonstrate, as prescribed by the Department, that it made all reasonable efforts to fill all enrollment slots with qualifying children. Provides that failure to demonstrate such efforts may result in a reduction in the grant amount awarded for the program. Effective July 1, 2026.
