IL HB2396

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each Illinois school board must establish full-day kindergarten and may also establish half-day kindergarten, with both being developmentally appropriate and providing play-based learning opportunities.

School districts that did not offer full-day kindergarten as of October 1, 2022 may apply to the State Board of Education for a 2-year extension of the 2027-2028 deadline if they meet criteria including funding below 76% of adequacy, high capital needs, or other State Board-approved criteria.

A Full-Day Kindergarten Task Force is created to conduct a statewide audit on full-day kindergarten implementation, including data on current kindergarten offerings, enrollment, eligible students, facility capacity, and cost estimates.

The Task Force must issue an interim report by June 30, 2024 and a final report by January 31, 2025, with members appointed by October 1, 2023 and representing teachers, administrators, school officials, parents, and diverse geographic areas.

The Task Force may recommend additional criteria for granting implementation deadline waivers, with the State Board of Education to make final determinations and provide public notice by July 1, 2025.