Afterschool Wins! Statement on the FY27 Budget

On May 31st, 2026, the Illinois General Assembly passed the FY27 State Budget. Out-of-school time programs matter in Illinois, and this budget reflects that in a meaningful way. 

For too many families, the hours after the school day ends and the summer months are the hardest times to manage. This budget helps ensure that those hours don’t fall into a gap where kids are left without the support they need. It keeps doors open for programs that help provide the structure and connection when working parents need it the most. 

These programs show up in real, practical ways every day. They are where kids go when they need a little extra help with homework, where they find lasting friendships, where they find clubs and passions, and where they are surrounded by mentors who actually know them by name. That kind of stability makes a real difference in our kids’ lives. 

This budget helps sustain that work across Illinois, and we are incredibly grateful to our advocates and champions who made this possible. This budget means these lifeline programs will still be there tomorrow – and that matters more than anything.

There are some notable wins in this budget:

  • The ISBE After School Programs Non LEA grant increased by $4.5 million dollars from last year’s budget.
  • All afterschool funding cut in the Governor’s Budget was restored including Teen REACH, After School Programs, and After School Matters.
  • For the first time ever, the General Assembly included in the budget how to split the ISBE After School Program funding between district and non districts. We hope this eliminates any need to delay this funding this year and means programs will receive funding in the beginning of the school year.
  • ISBE FY26 After School Program Funds were reappropriated to ensure that grantees will have a full year to spend these funds. 

This budget also includes:

  • $8 million for After School Matters. This is a $4 million decrease over the current funding level for After School Matters. There is also reappropriated funding to support After School Matters’ infrastructure improvement costs.
  • $9.2 billion for evidence-based funding (EBF). This funding line received an increase of $350 million over its current funding level. EBF supports K–12 schools across the state.
  • $17.812 million for Teen REACH. This is level funding. There remains a need for significant investment to ensure the expansion of this grant program.
  • $2.4 billion for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Some of these funds will be used to cover prior-year costs.
  • A total of $116.1 million for the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) (for consecutive fiscal years). This funding is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). It will support youth development opportunities and violence prevention services in areas across Chicago and the state with high rates of firearm violence. $15.91 million will be reappropriated from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund for the RPSA grant program.
  • $180 million for the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Grant Program. This is level funding. The funding is administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) and supports youth development programs across the state.

However, Illinois has a long way to go in meeting the needs of all children and families.

The Trump administration cancelled almost $70 million in grants through the Full-Service Community Schools program in December. This budget does not include the lifeline 19,000 low-income students and 600 teachers needed to keep these programs open.  ACT Now will continue to fight for these grants in federal court.

For every one child in afterschool, three more need spots in afterschool. These programs are essential to keeping youth safe, fulfilling their potential and ensuring parents’ peace of mind while they work. This year, we called for a budget that starts an additional annual investment of $40 million per year over ten years to make Illinois the first state that guarantees out-of-school time for all. And now with the new revenue included in this budget, we have an opportunity to start closing this gap and expanding access to the programs children and families depend on.

Thank you to our legislative champions and to the advocates from every corner of the state for your tireless efforts this spring. Every email sent, phone call made, and trip to Springfield helped protect critical afterschool programs and the students and families who rely on them. Your collective advocacy ensured these programs will continue to serve communities, youth, and families across Illinois.

Sincerely,

Susan Stanton

Executive Director