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State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, filed House
Bill 2396. It passed the House in March. After several
amendments in the Illinois Senate last week, the House voted to
concur Friday.
State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, said the bill better
prepares the state's youth for the future.
"Full-day kindergarten has shown to boost academic gains and
prepare children for the social and emotional demands of early
elementary," Lightford said. "This can provide students and
their families with sufficient support and opportunities in
their early education career."
During Senate committees, state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn
Woods, asked about the potential costs on lower-income school
districts.
"For them, it's just an issue of having space," McConchie said.
"They are going to have to build eight classrooms to be able to
do this. That is not something they will be able to do in short
order. Plus, it will be a million dollars a year to fund this,
and they want to make sure they are doing it in a responsible
manner."
The measure phases the policy in over two years so schools can
garner funding for the change, which is more than half the
state's schools, according to state Rep. Patrick Windhorst,
R-Harrisburg.
"If the data I have is correct, 478 out of the 851 school
districts will qualify for the two-year extension," Windhorst
said.
Windhorst told the General Assembly that the legislation had
received bipartisan support in the Senate.
"This had a Senate vote of 52-1 if that is correct," Windhorst
asked Canty.
"It also passed out of this chamber with an overwhelming
majority," Canty said.
The amendments were concurred by the House with a vote of 85-24.
The bill now awaits to be sent to Pritzker for his signature
before becoming law.
Andrew Hensel reports on issues in Chicago and
Statewide. He has been with The Center Square News since April
of 2021 and was previously with The Joliet Slammers.
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