IL HR0137

Urges the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood to prioritize facilities needs for the state's mixed-delivery system of early care and education during its planning process

Calls for development of a biennial assessment of physical infrastructure needs among community-based child care and preschool providers serving children birth to age five, in addition to school-based facilities assessments

Requests expeditious distribution of approximately $40 million remaining in Early Childhood Construction Grant (ECCG) funds to qualified applicants for building and repair projects

Recommends replenishing ECCG resources to address long-term early childhood facilities needs identified by the bipartisan Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding

Notes that ISBE's 2024 Capital Needs Assessment Survey identified need for 269 additional school-based preK classrooms, with actual statewide needs likely higher since fewer than half of districts participated and community-based providers were not surveyed