SB2091sam002 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Omar Aquino

Filed: 4/5/2019

10100SB2091sam002 LRB101 10646 AXK 59349 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2091

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2091, AS AMENDED, by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.105 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.105 new)

Sec. 65.105. Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program.

(a) In this Section:

"Child care or early childhood education setting" means a facility licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969, a licensed or license-exempt child care provider under Section 9A-11 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, a federal Head Start or Early Head Start program, or a preschool program funded under Section 2-3.71 of the School Code.

"Child care worker" means an Illinois resident who has been working in any child care or early childhood education setting for at least 2 years or, at some point during the last 5 years, worked in such a setting for the equivalent of 2 years.

"Early childhood degree program" means a regionally accredited degree program administered solely through an Illinois-based, not-for-profit organization or through a public institution through which a child care worker may take a curriculum of courses leading to a Child Development certificate or associate degree (CDA), an associate or bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), or a Professional Educator License (PEL).

"Public institution" means the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, any public community college in this State, or any other public university, college, or community college now or hereafter established or authorized by the General Assembly.

"Student aid" means a scholarship or grant, other than an Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant created under this Section, awarded to a student from any source that does not require repayment. "Student aid" does not include student loans and work-study awards.

(b) Beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, subject to appropriation, the Commission shall implement and administer a program to award Early Childhood Workforce Free College grants to all eligible child care workers seeking a Child Development certificate or associate degree, an associate or bachelor's degree in ECE, or a PEL from a public institution or an online early childhood degree program or seeking to enroll in an alternative educator licensure program under Section 21B-50 of the School Code. All of the following terms and conditions shall apply to the program:

(1) To be eligible for a grant, a student must (i) possess a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate, (ii) be admitted to and enrolled in a public institution or an early childhood degree program, and (iii) have an individually adjusted gross income equal to or less than $85,000.

(2) Students applying for a grant must annually complete the Early Childhood Education Workforce Free College grant application. A student who has the capacity to draw federal student aid shall complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each academic year in which he or she seeks to receive a grant.

(3) To continue to receive a grant, a student must maintain Illinois residency.

(4) Each academic year, a grant shall be equal to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the public institution or early childhood degree program attended, less all other student aid. However, if a student chooses to enroll in a private institution, the grant shall be no more than 150% of the highest rate paid on behalf of students in a similar program at a public institution to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, less all other student aid. Student aid shall be credited first to the student's tuition and mandatory fees. Eligible students who receive student aid exceeding their tuition cost and mandatory fees and demonstrate additional need shall be eligible to receive additional financial support, including, but not limited to, funds for the purchase of required books and supplies, lab fees, and activity fees, through procedures set forth in rules adopted by the Commission. Each public institution or early childhood degree program must annually report to the Commission its undergraduate tuition rate for Illinois residents.

(5) A student is eligible for a grant and any grant renewals until he or she has earned a bachelor's degree in ECE or a Professional Educator License.

(6) After completion of or disenrolling from his or her program of study, the student must reside and work within this State in a child care or early childhood education setting for a minimum of one year. If the student does not reside and work within this State for a minimum of one year, the student must repay the total grant amount awarded to him or her through installments in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission.

Exceptions to the qualification requirements under paragraphs (1) through (6) of this subsection must be made by the Commission for extenuating circumstances, as provided in rules adopted by the Commission, with advice from the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Advisory Committee created under subsection (e).

(c) In awarding grants under this Section, if, in any fiscal year, the amount appropriated for the grants is less than the amount determined necessary to cover the cost of attendance for all eligible applicants, the Commission must proportionately reduce the grants.

(d) The Early Childhood Workforce Free College Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of money appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, bequests, or donations made to the Fund. All money in the Fund shall be used only by the Commission for the purposes of this Section.

(e) The Illinois Early Learning Council must establish the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Advisory Committee for the purpose of advising the Commission on all matters related to the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program. The Advisory Committee must be comprised of all of the following members, appointed by the Illinois Early Learning Council:

(1) One representative each from the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Board of Higher Education, one of whom shall serve as a chairperson, and the remaining members shall be ex officio and nonvoting members.

(2) Eight members as follows:

(A) one member who is a preschool teacher at a public school;

(B) one member who is a child care center preschool teacher;

(C) one member who is a child care center infant or toddler teacher;

(D) one member who is a child care center or early learning teacher's assistant at a public school;

(E) one member who is a home child care provider through the Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program;

(F) one member representing statewide trade or labor unions;

(G) one member representing organizations engaging in advocacy of the early childhood workforce; and

(H) one member who is an administrator of federal Head Start grant program funds, State preschool funds, or site-administered grants under the Child Care Assistance Program.

Appointed members of the Advisory Committee, other than initial appointees, shall serve for a term of 3 years or until a replacement is named. All initial members shall be appointed no later than August 1, 2020. Of the initial appointees, 5 members shall serve a term of 2 years and 6 members shall serve a term of 3 years. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term. The Advisory Committee shall meet at least once every 6 months and may meet more frequently at the call of the chairperson. A simple majority of those appointed shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of those present and voting shall be necessary for Advisory Committee action. Members of the Advisory Committee shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties from funds appropriated to the Commission for that purpose. Administrative and other support to the Advisory Committee shall be provided by the Illinois Early Learning Council.

The Advisory Committee shall do all of the following:

(1) Study and make recommendations to the Commission that are related to the implementation of the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program.

(2) Evaluate data received by the Commission to ensure the program is at full utilization.

(3) Address access issues to the program, including, but not limited to, geographic, financial, cultural, and workplace settings.

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.891 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.891 new)

Sec. 5.891. The Early Childhood Workforce Free College Fund.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.".