Bill > HB5363

This bill mandates that the State Board of Education will provide grants for community schools, separate from any federal funding, to an organization called ACT Now (Afterschool for Children and Teens Now Coalition), which will then distribute these funds to 32 partner schools. A "full-service community school" is defined as a public school that integrates educational, developmental, family, health, and other services through partnerships, making them accessible to students, families, and the community. "Pipeline services" refers to a comprehensive set of supports for children from birth through postsecondary education and career attainment, including early childhood education, school and out-of-school programs, transition support, family engagement, workforce readiness, community support, social and health services, and juvenile crime prevention. All ACT Now partner schools are required to create plans for implementing community schools that incorporate all aspects of these pipeline services, and they must annually submit data on these services, along with ACT Now's oversight and accounting procedures, to the State Board of Education. ACT Now itself is responsible for providing technical assistance, professional development to schools and partners, and conducting an annual evaluation of the grant. This bill will become effective on July 1, 2026.

Education

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=5363&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104