summary
Introduced
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the Governor shall appoint to the Illinois Early Learning Council (i) a representative of a statewide advocacy organization that represents multiple Head Start and Early Head Start providers and (ii) the State Director of Head Start Collaboration. Removes a provision that requires the Governor to request that the Region V office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families appoint a member to the Council to represent federal children's programs and services.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to Illinois' early learning initiatives, primarily by modifying the Illinois Early Learning Council Act and the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. The Illinois Early Learning Council's purpose is broadened to advise on statewide programs and services for children from prenatal stages to age five, aiming to make Illinois the best state for raising young children by establishing a high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive early learning system. The Council will now be co-chaired by the Secretary of Early Childhood or their designee, and the Governor will appoint parents and caregivers of children five and under to the Council. The Department of Early Childhood will provide staffing and administrative support to the Council, and new provisions address conflicts of interest for Council members, requiring them to avoid matters that provide direct financial benefit or create the appearance of impropriety. Additionally, the bill shifts appointment authority for certain members of the advisory committee to the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Early Childhood, ensuring the Department of Early Childhood has a greater role in shaping this consortium's guidance.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio (on 03/26/2026)
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