IllinoisHB4577104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

KINDERGARTEN-PLAY-BASED LEARN

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Summary

Amends the School Code regarding the establishment of kindergartens. With respect to a provision stating that kindergarten should provide opportunities for play-based learning, defines: (1) "play-based learning" as either guided play or student-initiated play; (2) "guided play" as intentional teacher-directed play with activities set up and led by a teacher that are aligned to learning goals or standards; and (3) "student-initiated play" as child-selected opportunities to build, pretend, create, move, or explore in an environment intentionally curated by a teacher to align with learning goals or standards.

education policyassignmentseducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Parents can petition to open kindergarten

Parents in a district can file a petition to start a kindergarten at a public school. At least 50 parents or guardians of children ages 4 to 6 must sign, and they must live in the district and within one mile of that school. The board establishes the kindergarten if funds are available and keeps it open while average daily attendance is at least 15. This option applies until the 2027-2028 school year.

Full-day kindergarten statewide by 2027

Until the 2027-2028 school year, a board may run half-day or full-day kindergarten. If it offers full-day, it must also offer a half-day class. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, every board provides full-day kindergarten and may also run a half-day option. Districts that did not offer full-day as of October 1, 2022 can apply for up to a two-year delay if one is true: funded below 76% of adequacy in FY2023; ranked in the top 25% for capital need with no capital funds yet; or meets a State Board criterion based on the Task Force. The State Board of Education decides on these extensions.

Play-based learning and licensed teachers

Kindergarten programs must be developmentally appropriate and give children play-based learning. Play-based learning includes teacher-led play tied to learning goals and child-chosen play in teacher-prepared settings. Only teachers with a state teaching license may teach kindergarten.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Janet Yang Rohr

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Laura Faver Dias

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mattie Hunter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Maurice A. West, II

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Robert F. Martwick

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 253 • No: 78

House vote 5/27/2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs

Yes: 76 • No: 27 • Other: 3

House vote 5/21/2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 3

Senate vote 5/20/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 45 • No: 13

Senate vote 5/19/2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education;

Yes: 12 • No: 1

Senate vote 5/6/2026

Do Pass Education;

Yes: 10 • No: 4

House vote 4/8/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 80 • No: 26

House vote 3/25/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote 2/25/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0555

    7/10/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    7/10/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    7/10/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/25/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    6/1/2026Senate
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    6/1/2026Senate
  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick

    5/31/2026Senate
  8. Passed Both Houses

    5/27/2026House
  9. House Concurs

    5/27/2026House
  10. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 076-027-003

    5/27/2026House
  11. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-003-000

    5/21/2026House
  12. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Education Policy Committee

    5/21/2026House
  13. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee

    5/21/2026House
  14. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Laura Faver Dias

    5/21/2026House
  15. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

    5/20/2026House
  16. Arrived in House

    5/20/2026House
  17. Third Reading - Passed; 045-013-000

    5/20/2026Senate
  18. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading

    5/20/2026Senate
  19. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Edly-Allen

    5/20/2026Senate
  20. Recalled to Second Reading

    5/20/2026Senate
  21. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education; 012-001-000

    5/19/2026Senate
  22. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 19, 2026

    5/18/2026Senate
  23. Second Reading

    5/18/2026Senate
  24. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education

    5/13/2026Senate
  25. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

    5/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

  • Senate Amendment 1

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