SB2055 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 17175 CMG 22626 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB2055

Introduced 2/26/2021, by Sen. Omar Aquino

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.935 new
110 ILCS 947/65.110 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall implement and administer a program to award Early Childhood Workforce Free College grants to all eligible child care workers seeking to enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution; defines terms. Specifies grant eligibility and amount, renewal requirements, and repayment requirements. Requires the Illinois Early Learning Council to establish the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Advisory Committee to advise the Commission on all matters relating to the program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Fund. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.935 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.935 new)

Sec. 5.935. The Early Childhood Workforce Free College Fund.

Section 10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.110 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.110 new)

Sec. 65.110. 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.

"Eligible postsecondary institution" means any public institution in this State, including 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, and 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.

"Eligible postsecondary program" means a program that includes a curriculum of courses to maintain a classroom role in any child care or early childhood education setting, 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).

"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 2022-2023 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 to enroll in an eligible postsecondary program at an eligible postsecondary institution. 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 an eligible postsecondary program at an eligible postsecondary institution, and (iii) have an individually adjusted gross income equal to or less than $65,000.

(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 an eligible postsecondary institution or eligible postsecondary program attended, 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. Each eligible postsecondary institution or eligible postsecondary 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 (i) he or she has earned a bachelor's degree in ECE, (ii) he or she obtains a Professional Educator License, or (iii) 8 years have passed from the date of the student's initial receipt of a grant under this program.

(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 the same period of time in which he or she received funding under the program. If the student fails to fulfill this requirement, 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).

The Commission must adopt rules, in consultation with the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Advisory Committee created under subsection (e), on the distribution of grants under this subsection.

(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, 2022. 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:

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

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

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

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