IL HB2501

Amends the School Code to require the State Board of Education to establish and implement a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program for after-school programs aligned with school academic programs.

Grants must support whole child-focused after-school programs in high-poverty, low-performing schools to help students meet state and local performance standards in core academic subjects.

For Fiscal Year 2020 only, the State Board of Education must award grants to establish exactly 50 after-school programs in 50 disadvantaged communities where household income exceeds 95% of federal poverty guidelines.

After-school programs must include family engagement activities linked to learning and healthy development outcomes, with performance indicators directly tied to student achievement.

Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.