(110 ILCS 28/5)
Sec. 5. Findings. The General Assembly makes all of the following findings: (1) This State faces a shortage of qualified early |
| childhood educators, with high vacancy rates in child care centers, community-based early childhood programs, and school-based classrooms across this State. Like roads and bridges, early education and child care is an essential part of our infrastructure that enables families to work in all other industries. Beyond addressing the current need, growing federal and State commitments to expanding early childhood services, including the recommendations put forth in the Governor's Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding report in March 2021, suggest that this State must be prepared to meet the growing demand for a qualified workforce to deliver these services in the coming years.
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(2) To meet this growing demand and support this
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| critical infrastructure, the Illinois higher education system must support our incumbent early childhood workforce through credential and degree attainment. The workforce is overwhelmingly made up of women and women of color, and many are balancing full-time employment, family needs, and other responsibilities. Often, traditional bachelor's degree programs are not accessible to place-bound, full-time working parents.
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(3) In this State, there is a history of partnership
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| among early childhood providers, stakeholders, and higher education to identify workforce needs and strategies to help promote access to higher education and degree completion among the workforce. Illinois institutions of higher education have taken steps to demonstrate a commitment to the early childhood field, as well as underserved student populations. Hybrid program models, cohort program models, and scholarships and financial incentives for students help to promote access to many early childhood degree programs in this State.
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(4) Over the past 2 decades, this State has attempted
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| numerous strategies to develop and support partnerships among institutions of higher education that are focused on this State's early childhood workforce. Through these broader initiatives, as well as many individual local partnerships, community colleges and public and private universities have worked to implement articulation agreements, credit transfer agreements, and program delivery models, although not all partnerships have been maintained. Such initiatives include all of the following:
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(A) In 2004, this State developed the Associate
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| of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree model to promote articulation among 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education. However, with the challenges in credit transfer contributing to the limited viability and success of the degree model, the Illinois Community College Board stopped approving the AAT degree model and has worked across the higher education system to discontinue these programs.
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(B) In 2013, this State dedicated federal Race to
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| the Top funds to create the Early Childhood Educator Preparation Program Innovation (EPPI) Grant program. Among other goals, the EPPI Grant program aimed to foster the creation or further development of partnerships between 2-year and 4-year preparation programs at institutions of higher education, promote articulation and alignment of the curriculum between 2-year and 4-year programs, and support early childhood educator preparation programs in designing a curriculum to incorporate new State standards and program requirements. While the EPPI Grant program led to some effective partnerships that still remain intact today, program evaluations found varying levels of partnership and that, in many cases, successful agreements were contingent upon individual relationships or individual leaders within institutions.
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(C) Through the Illinois Articulation Initiative
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| (IAI), there are 3 early childhood courses approved for articulation among participating institutions. More than 100 Illinois colleges and universities participate in the IAI, though challenges with inconsistent participation and recognition do exist.
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(D) Most recently, the creation of
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| competency-based education components for early childhood education will help ensure that higher education and credential programs are designed to prepare early childhood educators to demonstrate the same critical core competencies. The emphasis on core competencies could improve educator preparedness and could ease credit transfer and articulation processes moving forward.
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These programs and partnerships continue to benefit
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| many early childhood education students across this State, but, overall, these efforts have not produced adequate early childhood degrees to meet the demands in the field. These types of initiatives are highly contingent upon relationships and partnerships between specific institutions and are often impacted if an institution experiences turnover or program changes. Furthermore, these partnerships often do not address the geographic, structural, and economic barriers the incumbent workforce often faces in accessing bachelor's degree programs while working full-time in the field. These ongoing challenges are not new and have been noted in the development of these previous efforts.
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(5) As noted in the provisions of Public Act 101-654,
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| the General Assembly recognizes the critical role of the early childhood workforce and, in response to challenges, including staffing shortages and barriers to higher education, calls upon the Board of Higher Education to better meet the needs of the early childhood workforce.
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(6) The General Assembly encourages this State to
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| consider dedicating federal funds for pandemic relief and economic recovery efforts to ensure a successful launch of the Consortium and the opportunities it creates to meet the needs of the early childhood incumbent workforce, including student financial support. This State, the incumbent workforce, and the children in care will benefit as workers enroll, persist, and complete credential and degree programs.
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(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
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(110 ILCS 28/20) Sec. 20. Membership; functions. (a) Membership in the Consortium shall include all public universities and community colleges in this State that offer early childhood programs. Membership by private, not-for-profit universities is optional and conditional on the acceptance of the terms adopted by the public members, the related administrative rules, and the provisions of this Act. For-profit institutions of higher education are not eligible for membership in the Consortium. Participating institutions must be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and entitled to offer Gateways Credentials. (b) The members of the Consortium shall operate jointly and in cooperation to provide streamlined paths for students to attain associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, certificates, and Gateways Credentials and other licensure endorsements in early childhood education. The priority shall be to focus on the incumbent workforce, which includes working adults who require programs of study that offer flexibility in the times courses are offered, location, and format. The Consortium shall cooperate in all of the following: (1) Providing course offerings in online, hybrid, and |
| in-person formats that are available to any student enrolled in a member institution for occasions in which a particular course is not available at the student's home institution. In this paragraph (1), "not available" may mean the course is not offered during a term, at a time, or in a format that works best for the student. Courses taken at any member institution shall be accepted toward the student's degree at any other member institution. Course offerings across institutions may also be provided by an agreement between Consortium members. All course registration shall take place in consultation with a student's academic advisor.
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(2) Shared responsibilities through the Consortium
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| and across the State to expand access for students.
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(3) Transfers in accordance with Section 130-10 of
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| the Transitions in Education Act.
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(4) The development of standardized methods for
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| awarding credit for prior learning.
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(5) The support necessary for student access,
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| persistence, and completion shall be provided by the home institution, unless otherwise provided by agreement between Consortium members.
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(6) Admissions, financial arrangements, registration,
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| and advising services shall be functions of the home institution but shall be honored across the Consortium.
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(7) Member institutions working with their regional
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| pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and early childhood employer partners to determine demand throughout the region.
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(8) Data-sharing agreements.
(9) An agreement that students enrolled in associate
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| degree programs are encouraged to complete the associate degree program prior to transferring to a bachelor's degree program.
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(10) Development of other shared agreements and terms
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| necessary to implement the Consortium and its responsibilities.
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By January 31, 2022, the Consortium shall decide how to assign college credit for the incumbent workers who have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and for future workers obtaining a CDA.
(c) The Consortium may facilitate or implement the following if deemed beneficial and feasible:
(1) the creation of an open education resource
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(2) support and training for program coaches and
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| cross-institutional navigators; and
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(3) support for the development, implementation, and
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| participation in a statewide registry system through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to provide tracking and data capabilities for students across the system as they attain competency through coursework.
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(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)
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(110 ILCS 28/25) (Text of Section from P.A. 103-588) 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 Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development 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 Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, 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 Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(2) An employer from a for-profit child care
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| provider, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(3) An employer from a nonprofit child care provider,
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| appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(4) A provider of family child care, appointed by the
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| Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(5) An employer located in southern Illinois,
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| appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(6) An employer located in central Illinois,
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| appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(7) At least one member who represents an urban
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| school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(8) At least one member who represents a suburban
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| school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(9) At least one member who represents a rural school
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| district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(10) At least one member who represents a school
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| district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(11) Two early childhood advocates with statewide
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| expertise in early childhood workforce issues, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(12) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
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| Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
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(13) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
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| Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the House Committee on Higher Education.
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(14) One member representing the Illinois Community
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| College Board, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(15) One member representing the Board of Higher
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| Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(16) One member representing the Illinois Student
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| Assistance Commission, appointed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
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(17) One member representing the State Board of
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| Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(18) One member representing the Governor's Office of
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| Early Childhood Development, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(19) One member representing the Department of Human
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| Services, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(20) One member representing INCCRRA, appointed by
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| the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(21) One member representing the Department of
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| Children and Family Services, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(22) One member representing an organization that
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| advocates on behalf of community college trustees, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(23) One member of a union representing child care
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| and early childhood providers, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
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(24) Two members of unions representing higher
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| education faculty, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(25) A representative from the College of Education
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| of an urban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(26) A representative from the College of Education
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| of a suburban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(27) A representative from the College of Education
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| of a rural public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(28) A representative from the College of Education
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| of a private university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(29) A representative of an urban community college,
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| appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(30) A representative of a suburban community
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| college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(31) A representative of rural community college,
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| appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(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 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly shall be set by lottery at the first meeting after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly as follows:
(1) One-third of members shall serve a 1-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. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)
(Text of Section from P.A. 103-594)
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
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| provider, appointed by the Department of Human Services.
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(2) An employer from a for-profit child care
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| provider, appointed by the Department of Human Services.
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(3) An employer from a nonprofit child care provider,
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| appointed by the Department of Human Services.
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(4) A provider of family child care, appointed by the
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| Department of Human Services.
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(5) An employer located in southern Illinois,
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| appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.
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(6) An employer located in central Illinois,
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| appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.
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(7) At least one member who represents an urban
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| school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(8) At least one member who represents a suburban
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| school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(9) At least one member who represents a rural school
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| district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(10) At least one member who represents a school
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| district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(11) Two early childhood advocates with statewide
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| expertise in early childhood workforce issues, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.
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(12) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
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| Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
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(13) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
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| Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the House Committee on Higher Education.
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(14) One member representing the Illinois Community
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| College Board, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(15) One member representing the Board of Higher
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| Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(16) One member representing the Illinois Student
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| Assistance Commission, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(17) One member representing the State Board of
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| Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the State Board of Education.
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(18) One member representing the Department of Early
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| Childhood, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Department of Early Childhood.
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(19) One member representing the Department of Human
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| Services, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Department of Human Services.
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(20) One member representing INCCRRA, appointed by
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| the Department of Early Childhood.
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(21) One member representing the Department of
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| Children and Family Services, appointed by the Department of Children and Family Services.
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(22) One member representing an organization that
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| advocates on behalf of community college trustees, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(23) One member of a union representing child care
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| and early childhood providers, appointed by the Department of Human Services.
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(24) Two members of unions representing higher
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| education faculty, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(25) A representative from the College of Education
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| of an urban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(26) A representative from the College of Education
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| of a suburban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(27) A representative from the College of Education
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| of a rural public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(28) A representative from the College of Education
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| of a private university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.
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(29) A representative of an urban community college,
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| appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(30) A representative of a suburban community
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| college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(31) A representative of rural community college,
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| appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
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(c) The advisory committee shall meet quarterly. The committee meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.
(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)
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(110 ILCS 28/30) Sec. 30. Reporting. The Consortium shall report to the General Assembly, to the Senate and House Committees with oversight over higher education, to the Governor, and to the advisory committee on the progress made by the Consortium. A report must include, but is not limited to, all of the following information: (1) Student enrollment numbers by academic year, |
| retention rates, persistence, and completion in relevant associate, baccalaureate, and credential programs, including demographic data that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, geography, higher education sector, and federal Pell Grant status, reported annually.
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(2) For students enrolled in early childhood
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| programs, average assessed tuition, average net price, number of students receiving student loans, and average loan amount, reported annually.
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(3) Outreach plans to recruit and enroll incumbent
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| workforce members, reported annually.
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(4) Participation of the incumbent workforce in
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| outreach programs, which may include participation in an informational session, social media engagement, or other activities, reported annually.
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(5) Student academic and holistic support plans to
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| help the enrolled incumbent workforce persist in their education, reported annually.
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(6) Evidence of engagement and responsiveness to the
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| needs of employer partners, reported annually.
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(7) The Consortium budget including the use of
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| federal funds, reported annually.
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(8) Member contributions, including financial,
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| physical, or in-kind contributions, provided to the Consortium, reported annually.
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(9) Information on Early Childhood Access Consortium
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| for Equity Scholarships awarded under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, including demographic data that is disaggregated by race and ethnicity, federal Pell Grant eligibility status, geography, age, gender, and higher education sector, reported annually. Employer type and years worked, as provided by students via the scholarship application, reported annually. To the extent possible given available data and resources, information on scholarship recipients' subsequent employment in the early childhood care and education field in this State.
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(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)
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