IL SB0238

State Board of Education awards block grants to school districts beginning in fiscal year 1999 and each fiscal year thereafter, subject to audit requirements.

Early Childhood Education Block Grant combines Preschool Education and Parental Training and Prevention Initiative programs, distributed competitively to school districts and other entities.

Not less than 14% of Early Childhood Education Block Grant funds shall support programs for children ages 0-3.

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2016, at least 25% of any additional Early Childhood Education Block Grant funding beyond the previous fiscal year's allocation must support programs for children ages 0-3.

Once Early Childhood Education Block Grant funding for children ages 0-3 reaches 20% of the overall allocation in a full fiscal year, that 20% minimum level must be maintained in subsequent years, unless reduced funding would require cutting existing preschool education provider amounts.