Public Act 103-0744
 
HB5407 EnrolledLRB103 37950 RJT 68082 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Education for Homeless Children Act is 
amended by changing Section 1-50 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 45/1-50)
    Sec. 1-50. Education of Homeless Children and Youth State 
Grant Program.
    (a) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to 
establish a State grant program that parallels and 
supplements, but operates independently of, the federal grant 
program allocating funds for assistance under Subtitle B of 
Title VII of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) and to establish a State grant 
program to support school districts throughout this State in 
facilitating the enrollment, attendance, and success of 
homeless children and youth.
    (b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education 
shall award competitive grants under an Education of Homeless 
Children and Youth State Grant Program to applicant school 
districts based on the percentage of students experiencing 
homelessness in an applicant school district in accordance 
with this Section. Services provided by school districts 
through the use of grant funds may not replace the regular 
academic program and must be designed to expand upon or 
improve services provided for homeless students as part of the 
school's regular academic program.
    (c) A school district that desires to receive a grant 
under this Section shall submit an application to the State 
Board of Education at such time, in such manner, and 
containing or accompanied by such information as the State 
Board of Education may reasonably require.
    (d) To award grants Grants must be awarded on the basis of 
the need of the school district for assistance under this 
Section, the State Board of Education may consider all of the 
following: and the quality of the applications submitted.
        (1) In determining need under this subsection (d), the 
    State Board of Education may consider the number of 
    homeless children and youths enrolled in preschool, 
    elementary school, and secondary school within the school 
    district and shall consider the needs of such children and 
    youths and the ability of the district to meet such needs. 
    The State Board of Education may also consider the 
    following:
            (A) (Blank). The extent to which the proposed use 
        of funds will facilitate the enrollment, retention, 
        and educational success of homeless children and 
        youths.
            (B) (Blank). The extent to which the application 
        (i) reflects coordination with other local and State 
        agencies that serve homeless children and youths and 
        (ii) describes how the applicant will meet the 
        requirements of this Act and the federal 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance 
        Improvements Act of 2001.
            (C) The extent to which the applicant exhibits in 
        the application and in current practice a commitment 
        to education for all homeless children and youths.
            (D) Such other criteria as the State Board 
        determines is appropriate.
        (2) In determining the quality of applications under 
    this subsection (d), the State Board of Education shall 
    consider the following:
            (A) The applicant's assessment of needs and the 
        likelihood that the services presented in the 
        application will meet such needs.
            (B) The types, intensity, and coordination of the 
        services to be provided.
            (C) The involvement of parents or guardians of 
        homeless children or youths in the education of these 
        children.
            (D) The extent to which homeless children and 
        youths are effectively integrated within the regular 
        education program.
            (E) The quality of the applicant's evaluation plan 
        for the services.
            (F) The extent to which services provided will be 
        coordinated with other services available to homeless 
        children and youths and their families.
            (G) Such other measures as the State Board 
        considers indicative of high-quality services, such as 
        the extent to which the school district will provide 
        case management or related services to unaccompanied 
        youths.
    (e) Grants awarded under this Section shall be for terms 
not to exceed 3 years, but are subject to annual appropriation 
for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant 
Program. School districts shall use funds awarded under this 
Section only for those activities set forth in Section 723(d) 
of Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)).
    Activities eligible for assistance under this Section may 
include, but are not limited to, all of the following: 
        (1) Rental assistance, which shall include utilities, 
    security and utility deposits, first and last month's 
    rent, rental application fees, moving expenses, and any 
    other eligible expenses to be determined by the State 
    Board. 
        (2) Transportation assistance, including school bus 
    transportation, public transportation passes, and gasoline 
    assistance for a student or family with a vehicle or to a 
    family member with a vehicle who can transport the 
    student. 
        (3) Emergency shelter, including temporary hotel 
    stays. 
        (4) Housing stability case management and housing 
    locator services. 
        (5) Other collaborative housing strategies, including 
    prevention and strength-based safety and housing 
    approaches, including, but not limited to, school 
    supplies, clothing, academic enrichment, tutoring, and 
    parental involvement programs. 
        (6) Activities set forth in Section 723(d) of Subtitle 
    B of Title VII of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless 
    Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)). 
    (f) The State Board of Education may use up to 25% 5% of 
the funds appropriated for the purposes of this Section for 
administrative costs, including the hiring of positions for 
the implementation and administration of the grant program, 
provided that if no appropriation is made to the State Board of 
Education for a given fiscal year for the purposes of the grant 
program, then the State Board of Education is not required to 
make any expenditures in support of the program during that 
fiscal year.
(Source: P.A. 96-1229, eff. 1-1-11.)

Effective Date:  1/1/2025