HB2668eng 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2668 Engrossed LRB101 07407 AXK 52447 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.176 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.176 new)

Sec. 2-3.176. Child opportunity zone.

(a) In this Section, "child opportunity zone" means a coordinated system of early childhood education, before-school and after-school programs, summer school programs, health and mental health services, family engagement initiatives, adult education, workforce development training, or any combination of such programs.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in cooperation with regional superintendents of schools, school districts, and other State and community agencies, shall develop child opportunity zones as a means to deliver comprehensive and coordinated social services in this State that are related to specific community needs and that will ultimately increase student performance in schools in the community. A child opportunity zone must provide a means to integrate education, health, and social services into schools and link families to school and community resources. Activities to develop child opportunity zones may include, but are not limited to, the award of grants to further the purposes set forth in this Section. In addition to funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this Section, the State Board may use funds appropriated by the General Assembly for other grant programs to implement this Section.

(c) On or before August 1, 2020, and on or before each August 1 thereafter, the State Board must submit a report to the General Assembly on the number of children and families served by a child opportunity zone program and any other outcome data for each program.

(d) The State Board shall adopt rules to implement this Section.