IL HB2426

School districts in cities with populations exceeding 500,000 inhabitants receive general education and educational services block grants from the State Board of Education in lieu of separate program funding.

The general education block grant includes programs such as REI Initiative, Summer Bridges, Preschool Education, K-6 Comprehensive Arts, School Improvement Support, and various literacy and prevention initiatives.

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2018, at least 25% of any additional funding for Preschool Education, Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative programs must be used to fund programs for children ages 0-3.

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2018, all funding above Fiscal Year 2017 allocation levels for these three programs must supplement existing programs and cannot replace funds from other sources.

Districts must report to the State Board of Education on block grant allocation, expenditures by program, population and service levels, and administrative expenditures.