SB2984 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 20021 SPS 33472 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2984

Introduced 1/27/2026, by Sen. Lakesia Collins

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 3933/5
20 ILCS 3933/10
20 ILCS 3933/15
20 ILCS 3933/20 new
110 ILCS 28/25

Amends the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the purpose of the Illinois Early Learning Council. Provides that the Secretary of Early Childhood or the Secretary's designee shall serve as co-chairperson of the Council. Provides that the governor shall appoint to the Council parents and caregivers of children 5 years of age or under. Provides that the Department of Early Childhood shall provide staffing and administrative support to the Council. Sets forth provisions concerning conflicts of interest. Amends the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Provides that specified members of the advisory committee to the Early Childhood Access Consortium shall be appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Early Learning Council Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 10, and 15 and by adding Section 20 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3933/5)

Sec. 5. Illinois Early Learning Council. The Illinois Early Learning Council is hereby created to advise on statewide coordinate existing programs and services for children from the prenatal period birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. The goal of the Council is to fulfill the vision of Illinois being the best state in the nation to raise young children by providing a statewide, high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive early learning system to benefit all young children whose parents choose it. The Council shall guide collaborative efforts to improve and expand upon existing early childhood programs and services, including those related to education and care, such as nutrition, nutrition education, and physical activity, in coordination with the Interagency Nutrition Council. This work shall include making use of existing reports, research, and planning efforts.

(Source: P.A. 93-380, eff. 7-24-03; 94-124, eff. 1-1-06.)

(20 ILCS 3933/10)

Sec. 10. Membership. The Illinois Early Learning Council shall include representation from both public and private organizations, and its membership shall reflect regional, racial, and cultural diversity to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois children. One member shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and other members appointed by the Governor. The Governor's appointments shall include, without limitation, the following:

(1) The Secretary of Early Childhood or the Secretary's Designee, to serve as co-chairperson of the Council.

(2) (1) A leader of stature from the Governor's office, to serve as co-chairperson of the Council.

(3) (2) The chief administrators of the following State agencies or their designees: Department of Early Childhood, State Board of Education; Department of Human Services; Department of Children and Family Services; Department of Public Health; Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Board of Higher Education; and Illinois Community College Board.

(4) Parents and caregivers of children 5 years of age or under.

(5) (3) Local government stakeholders and nongovernment stakeholders with an interest in early childhood care and education, including representation from the following private-sector fields and constituencies: early childhood education and development; child care; child advocacy; parenting support; local community collaborations among early care and education programs and services; maternal and child health; children with special needs; business; labor; and law enforcement. The Governor shall designate one of the members who is a nongovernment stakeholder to serve as co-chairperson. In addition, the Governor shall 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.

Members appointed by General Assembly members and members appointed by the Governor who are local government or nongovernment stakeholders shall serve 3-year terms, except that of the initial appointments, half of these members, as determined by lot, shall be appointed to 2-year terms so that terms are staggered. Members shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.

(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)

(20 ILCS 3933/15)

Sec. 15. Management and accountability Accountability. The Department of Early Childhood shall provide staffing and administrative support to the Council. The Illinois Early Learning Council shall annually report to the Governor, the and General Assembly, and the Department of Early Childhood on the Council's progress towards its goals and objectives.

(Source: P.A. 93-380, eff. 7-24-03.)

(20 ILCS 3933/20 new)

Sec. 20. Conflicts of interest. No member of the Council shall cast a vote on or participate substantially in any matter that would provide a direct financial benefit to that member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under State law. All provisions and reporting requirements of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act shall apply to Council members.

Section 10. The Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act is amended by changing Section 25 as follows:

(110 ILCS 28/25)

Sec. 25. Advisory committee; membership.

(a) The Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Early Childhood shall jointly convene a Consortium advisory committee to provide guidance on the operation of the Consortium.

(b) Membership on the advisory committee shall be comprised of employers and experts appointed by the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Department of Early Childhood, the Department of Human Services, and the State Board of Education. Membership shall also include all of the following members:

(1) An employer from a community-based child care provider, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood Human Services.

(2) An employer from a for-profit child care provider, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood Human Services.

(3) An employer from a nonprofit child care provider, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood Human Services.

(4) A provider of family child care, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood Human Services.

(5) An employer located in southern Illinois, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

(6) An employer located in central Illinois, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

(7) At least one member who represents an urban school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(8) At least one member who represents a suburban school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(9) At least one member who represents a rural school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(10) At least one member who represents a school district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(11) Two early childhood advocates with statewide expertise in early childhood workforce issues, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

(12) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the Senate Committee on Higher Education.

(13) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the House Committee on Higher Education.

(14) One member representing the Illinois Community College Board, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(15) One member representing the Board of Higher Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(16) One member representing the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, appointed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(17) One member representing the State Board of Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(18) One member representing the Department of Early Childhood, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

(19) One member representing the Department of Human Services, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Department of Human Services.

(20) One member representing INCCRRA, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.

(21) One member representing the Department of Children and Family Services, appointed by the Department of Children and Family Services.

(22) One member representing an organization that advocates on behalf of community college trustees, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(23) One member of a union representing child care and early childhood providers, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood Human Services.

(24) Two members of unions representing higher education faculty, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(25) A representative from the College of Education of an urban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(26) A representative from the College of Education of a suburban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(27) A representative from the College of Education of a rural public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(28) A representative from the College of Education of a private university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(29) A representative of an urban community college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(30) A representative of a suburban community college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(31) A representative of a rural community college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(c) The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year. The committee meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.

(d) Except for the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee, the initial terms for advisory committee members after June 5, 2024 (the effective date of Public Act 103-588) shall be set by lottery at the first meeting after June 5, 2024 (the effective date of Public Act 103-588) as follows:

(1) One-third of members shall serve a one-year term.

(2) One-third of members shall serve a 2-year term.

(3) One-third of members shall serve a 3-year term.

(e) The initial term of co-chairpersons of the advisory committee shall be for 3 years.

(f) After the initial term, each subsequent term for the members of the advisory committee shall be for 3 years or until a successor is appointed.

(g) The members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties as members of the advisory committee from funds appropriated for that purpose.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)