Bill Text: IL HB5024 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Makes changes regarding what information shall be reported by the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity. In provisions concerning the membership of the Consortium advisory committee, provides that the member of the advisory committee representing the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall be appointed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (rather than the Board of Higher Education). Sets forth provisions concerning the length of terms for members of the advisory committee. Provides that 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. Removes provisions requiring that all appointed positions on the advisory committee shall have their term length chosen by agreement among the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee. Makes changes to provisions concerning scholarships awarded by the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. With respect to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, removes language providing for emergency rulemaking for the Program. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-06-26 - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments [HB5024 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB5024-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB5024 Introduced , by Rep. Joyce Mason SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
5 ILCS 100/5-45.55 new
110 ILCS 28/15
110 ILCS 28/20
110 ILCS 28/25
110 ILCS 28/30
110 ILCS 28/35
110 ILCS 947/65.125 new
Amends the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Removes provisions concerning geographic regional hubs established by the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and member institutions. Removes references to the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. In provisions concerning the membership of the advisory committee to the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity, provides that specified appointments made by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development shall instead be made by the Department of Human Services. Provides that all appointed positions on the advisory committee shall have their term length chosen by agreement among the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee. Provides that the advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year (instead of quarterly). Makes changes regarding what information shall be reported. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall implement and administer an early childhood educator scholarship program, to be known as the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Provides that under the Program, the Commission shall annually award scholarships to early childhood education students enrolled in the institutions of higher education participating in the Consortium. Provides for rulemaking and consultation. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking for the Program. Effective immediately.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is
amended by adding Section 5-45.55 as follows:
(5 ILCS 100/5-45.55 new)
Sec. 5-45.55. Emergency rulemaking; Early Childhood Access
Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. To provide for the
expeditious and timely implementation of the Early Childhood
Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program under Section
65.125 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act,
emergency rules implementing the Early Childhood Access
Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program may be adopted in
accordance with Section 5-45 by the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission. The adoption of emergency rules
authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be
necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare. This
Section is repealed one year after the effective date of this
amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.
Section 10. The Early Childhood Access Consortium for
Equity Act is amended by changing Sections 15, 20, 25, 30, and
35 as follows:

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(110 ILCS 28/15)
Sec. 15. Creation of Consortium; purpose; administrative
support.
(a) The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois
Community College Board shall create and establish the Early
Childhood Access Consortium for Equity.
(b) The purpose of the Consortium is to serve the needs of
the incumbent early childhood workforce and the employers of
early childhood educators and to advance racial equity while
meeting the needs of employers by streamlining, coordinating,
and improving the accessibility of degree completion pathways
for upskilling and the sustained expansion of educational
pipelines at Illinois institutions of higher education.
(c) The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois
Community College Board shall convene the member institutions
by July 1, 2021 or within 60 days after the effective date of
this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. The Board
of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board
shall provide administrative support for the start up and
operation of the Consortium until a permanent governance
structure is developed and implemented. The Board of Higher
Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall work
with member institutions to establish geographic regional
hubs, including public universities and the proximate
community colleges responsible for serving each regional hub.

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(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
(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 through regional hubs 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 within each regional
hub in online, hybrid, and in-person formats that are

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available to any student enrolled in a member institution
in that hub 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 regional hubs may also be provided by an
agreement between Consortium members. All course
registration shall take place in consultation with a
student's academic advisor.
(2) Shared responsibilities through the Consortium and
within and across the State regional hubs to expand access
for students.
(3) Transfers in accordance with Section 130-10 of the
Transitions in Education Act.
(4) The development of standardized methods for
awarding credit for prior learning.
(5) The support necessary for student access,
persistence, and completion shall be provided by the home
institution, unless otherwise provided by agreement
between Consortium members.
(6) Admissions, financial arrangements, registration,
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
pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and early childhood
employer partners to determine demand throughout the
region.
(8) Data-sharing agreements.
(9) An agreement that students enrolled in associate
degree programs are encouraged to complete the associate
degree program prior to transferring to a bachelor's
degree program.
(10) Development of other shared agreements and terms
necessary to implement the Consortium and its
responsibilities.
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
library;
(2) support and training for program coaches and
cross-institutional navigators; and
(3) support for the development, implementation, and
participation in a statewide registry system through the
Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral
Agencies (INCCRRA) to provide tracking and data

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capabilities for students across the system as they attain
competency through coursework.
(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
(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, and 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
Department of Human Services 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 Department of Human Services
Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
(2) An employer from a for-profit child care provider,
appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's
Office of Early Childhood Development.
(3) An employer from a nonprofit child care provider,
appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's

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Office of Early Childhood Development.
(4) A provider of family child care, appointed by the
Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early
Childhood Development.
(5) An employer located in southern Illinois,
appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's
Office of Early Childhood Development.
(6) An employer located in central Illinois, appointed
by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of
Early Childhood Development.
(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 Human Services Governor's Office of
Early Childhood Development.
(12) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the Senate

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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 Board of Higher
Education.
(17) One member representing the State Board of
Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by
the State Board of Education.
(18) (Blank). One member representing the Governor's
Office of Early Childhood Development, who shall serve as
co-chairperson, appointed by the Governor's Office of
Early Childhood Development.
(19) One member representing the Department of Human
Services, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by
the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of
Early Childhood Development.
(20) One member representing INCCRRA, appointed by the
Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early

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Childhood Development.
(21) One member representing the Department of
Children and Family Services, appointed by the Department
of Human Services with input from the Department of
Children and Family Services Governor's Office of Early
Childhood Development.
(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
Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood
Development.
(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

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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 rural community college,
appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
All appointed positions on the advisory committee shall
have their term length chosen by agreement among the
co-chairpersons of the advisory committee.
(c) The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a
year 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.)
(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 for the fall and spring
terms or semesters, retention rates, persistence in

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relevant associate, baccalaureate, and credential
programs, including demographic data that is disaggregated
by race, ethnicity, and federal Pell Grant status,
reported annually twice per year. Completion numbers and
rates, employer type, and years worked shall be reported
annually.
(2) For students enrolled in early childhood programs,
average assessed tuition, average Tuition rates charged
and net price, number of students receiving student loans,
and average loan amount prices paid, reported both as
including and excluding student loans, by enrolled members
of the incumbent workforce, reported annually.
(3) Outreach plans to recruit and enroll incumbent
workforce members, reported annually twice per year.
(4) Participation of the incumbent workforce in
outreach programs, which may include participation in an
informational session, social media engagement, or other
activities, reported annually twice per year.
(5) Student academic and holistic support plans to
help the enrolled incumbent workforce persist in their
education, reported annually.
(6) Evidence of engagement and responsiveness to the
needs of employer partners, reported annually.
(7) The Consortium budget including the use of federal
funds, reported annually.
(8) Member contributions, including financial,

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physical, or in-kind contributions, provided to the
Consortium, reported annually.
(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
(110 ILCS 28/35)
Sec. 35. Goals and metrics.
(a) By July 1, 2021 or within 60 days after July 28, 2021
(the effective date of Public Act 102-174) this amendatory Act
of the 102nd General Assembly, the Board of Higher Education's
Strategic Plan Educator Workforce subgroup on the early
childhood workforce must set goals for the Consortium for the
enrollment, persistence, and completion of members of the
incumbent workforce in associate, bachelor's, and master's
degree programs, Gateways Credentials in Level 2, 3, or 4, and
Professional Educator Licensure by September 30, 2024. The
goals set for the Consortium must be data informed and include
targets for annual enrollment and persistence.
(b) Data from the Gateways Registry, March 2020, indicates
that there are 7,670 individuals with an associate degree who
would benefit from progressing to a baccalaureate degree and
20,467 individuals with a high school diploma or some college
who would benefit from progressing to an associate degree. If
the goals cannot be set in accordance with subsection (a), the
goal for the Consortium shall be that by September 30, 2024,
20% of the individuals described in this subsection (b) who do
not have a degree will have enrolled and be persisting toward

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or have attained a Gateways Credential in Level 2, 3, or 4 or
an associate degree and, of the individuals who have an
associate degree, will be enrolled and persisting toward or
have attained a baccalaureate degree or will be persisting
toward or have attained a Professional Educator License.
(c) Student financial aid, including incentives and
stipends, data-sharing, and professional statewide engagement
and marketing campaign and recruitment efforts are critical to
the Consortium's ability to quickly attract and enroll
students into these programs. Navigators, mentors, and
advisors are critical for persistence and completion. If
federal funds are not appropriated for these purposes and the
other purposes of this Section, the Board of Higher Education,
the Illinois Community College Board, the State Board of
Education, and the Department of Human Services, and the
Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, in
consultation with the advisory committee, shall adjust the
initial target metrics appropriately by adopting challenging
goals that may be attainable with less public investment.
(d) The Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community
College Board, the State Board of Education, and the
Department of Human Services, and the Governor's Office of
Early Childhood Development, in consultation with the advisory
committee, shall determine new metrics and goals for the
Consortium as they relate to the remaining and future early
childhood workforce, to be instituted after the close of the

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2024-2025 academic year and going forward. Metrics must take
into consideration that the pipeline depends on sustained,
increased student enrollment and completion rates at the
associate degree level if this State aims to continue with
sustained, increased student enrollment and completion at the
bachelor's degree level.
(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
Section 15. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is
amended by adding Section 65.125 as follows:
(110 ILCS 947/65.125 new)
Sec. 65.125. Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity
Scholarship Program.
(a) As used in this Section, "incumbent workforce" has the
meaning ascribed to that term in the Early Childhood Access
Consortium for Equity Act.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall
implement and administer an early childhood educator
scholarship program, to be known as the Early Childhood Access
Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Under the Program,
the Commission shall annually award scholarships to early
childhood education students enrolled in institutions of
higher education participating in the Early Childhood Access
Consortium for Equity under the Early Childhood Access
Consortium for Equity Act, upon application to the Commission.

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(c) The Commission shall determine, by rule, the
scholarship eligibility criteria, with preference given to
members of the incumbent workforce, the application process,
the amount of scholarship assistance awarded to a recipient,
and the manner in which scholarships are issued and utilized.
To ensure alignment with Consortium goals and changing
workforce needs, the Commission shall consult with the Board
of Higher Education and Illinois Community College Board in
establishing and, as needed, updating the Program's
parameters.
(d) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to
implement and administer the Program.