HB3081eng 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3081 Engrossed LRB104 10878 LNS 20960 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 22-101 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/22-101 new)

Sec. 22-101. Out-of-school time.

(a) The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this State to provide all young people between the ages of 6 and 19 with access to quality out-of-school time (OST) programs through a State commitment to sufficient and sustainable funding for programs that promote positive youth development. Further, this State is a national leader in the community schools model which helps strengthen OST programs through school and community partnerships in order to meet the whole needs of all children and youth. The need for this policy is based on a series of facts.

The General Assembly finds that youth who are engaged in quality OST activities and community schools are more likely to succeed in academics, employment, and civic affairs than youth who do not participate in OST activities. Youth with high levels of participation in quality OST programs miss fewer days of school, have lower drop-out rates, and higher rates of graduation. Further, juvenile crime peaks in the after school hours and OST programs help prevent crime victimization and help youth to make healthy choices.

The General Assembly also finds that youth in this State face greater barriers to accessing OST programs than ever before:

(1) Demand for programs far outpaces the supply of programs.

(2) Funding is fragmented among State agencies.

(3) The path to accessing public funding is often difficult.

(4) Funding inconsistencies make it difficult to maintain a qualified OST workforce.

The General Assembly also finds that the State, having demonstrated national leadership in advancing youth development, must also expand OST programming in order to realize the full, continued benefits of public investment in the State's young people.

(b) As used in this Section:

"Community school" means public schools that work with the community to improve student outcomes and address the needs of the whole child. All community schools are unique and responsive to their community; however, they all include integrated student supports, expanded learning, family engagement, and collaborative leadership.

"Out-of-school time" or "OST" means positive youth development activities provided to youth between the ages of 6 and 19 during the hours before or after school, during the school year and summer recess from school, or during the weekends, including, but not limited to: academic support; arts, music, sports, cultural enrichment, and other recreation; health promotion and diseases prevention; life skills and work and career development; and youth leadership development.

(c) There is hereby established the Out-of-School Time (OST) Advisory Council for the purpose of providing information and advice to the Governor and State agencies regarding State and federal policy and funding issues affecting out-of-school time programs based on regular and systematic input from providers.

(1) The OST Advisory Council shall include representation from both public and private organizations comprised of the following:

(A) Four members of the General Assembly: one appointed by the President of the Senate; one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(B) Representatives from the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and the Department of Early Childhood.

(C) Three OST providers from various settings.

(D) A community school lead partner agency.

(E) A private philanthropic funder.

(F) A principal of a school that has OST or the community schools model.

(G) A superintendent of a school district that has OST or the community schools model.

(H) An OST researcher or evaluator.

(I) Additional public members that have an interest in OST, including law enforcement, business, and youth advocacy.

The OST Advisory Council membership shall be representative of the diversity of out-of-school programs regarding geography, size, and public or nonpublic operation.

(2) The Governor shall designate one of the OST Advisory Council members who is a nongovernment stakeholder to serve as co-chairperson and a State agency representative as a chair.

(3) The OST Advisory Council shall meet no less than 4 times a year.

(d) The OST Advisory Council shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide information on the status of funding provided for OST programs in each fiscal year, including the number of applications received, the number of applications funded, and the amount and timing of committed funding.

(2) Provide recommendations on legislative and administrative action needed to ensure that funding for before and after school programs is allocated promptly to qualified providers of OST programs.

(3) Provide information on the quality of services and accountability measures that are appropriate for school-age children and youth.

(4) Provide information regarding challenges faced by OST programs that impede the provision of the best possible services.

(5) Provide recommendations on the equitable reach of OST programs to ensure that the State has policies in place that promote access to the children and youth most in need of services, including, but not limited to, students of color, low-income communities, rural communities and other marginalized communities.

(6) Make recommendations to the Governor and State agencies on reporting requirements, priority points, statewide evaluation, and licensure for OST programs.

(7) Create and deliver to the Governor and General Assembly an annual report on statewide successes in OST and areas of growth for the future.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025.