Reimagine Public Safety Act Signed into Law

On December 10, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Reimagine Public Safety Act into law. The legislation was passed in the Illinois General Assembly on October 28, 2021, and aims to leverage community-based interventions and programming to reduce gun violence within the City of Chicago and around the state. Youth development programming is highlighted as a critical strategy for supporting communities! To learn more about the initiative, check out our one-pager.

Historic Investment in Broadband for Illinois Communities – Opportunity!

On December 1, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Broadband announced a new planning and capacity-building program to help Illinois communities leverage historic broadband infrastructure funding for community-driven broadband expansion. The Accelerate Illinois “Notice of Collaboration Opportunity” is open now and accepting applications through December 30, 2021. The State expects to serve up to 12 communities as part of this initial pilot initiative.

New Congressional Maps Signed Into Law

On November 23, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation redrawing the state’s new Congressional district maps. These maps reflect Illinois’ diversity and preserve minority representation as well as use Census 2020 data. Some districts in Southern Illinois have been combined due to the state’s population loss, while new districts have been created in Central and Northern Illinois. Redistricting map links:

• House
• Senate

Illinois Department of Public Health Recommends Booster Doses for All Eligible Individuals

On November 19, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), announced that the state agency will be following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to open COVID-19 booster shots to all adults regardless of whether individuals have underlying medical conditions. IDPH is recommending anyone 18 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose six months after receiving their second Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or two months after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Illinois State Board of Education November Board Meeting Recap

On November 18, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly board meeting. To access the recording and meeting materials, click here. ISBE heard public comments, many of which thanked State Superintendent Ayala and her colleagues for meeting with local school board representatives and superintendents on the topics of collaboration and local control. There was also public comment on the importance of funding the early childhood block grant and supporting the needs of out-of-school time providers that leverage this funding. ISBE heard a presentation on teacher licensure programs and received recommendations on how to support educators of color throughout the state. The Board voted to release the FY22 After School Programs funding for school districts, which totals $17 million, as well as the $3 million earmarked for community-based organizations (CBOs). The NOFO for CBOs has not been shared yet. Finally, Board members heard a presentation on the FY23 Budget Hearings, which can be found here. The Finance and Audit Committee will meet on December 14, 2021, to finalize the agency’s recommendations for the FY23 budget. The next ISBE board meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2021.

Chicago Public Schools Close Schools on November 12th to Encourage Youth and Families to Get Vaccinated

On November 5, 2021, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local pediatricians announced a call-to-action for children and adults to get their COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose. To ensure all eligible students have the opportunity to receive the vaccine as quickly as possible, CPS schools will be closed on Friday, November 12, 2021 for Vaccination Awareness Day. To review the locations where youth and families may get vaccinated, including CPS school-sites and community-based clinics, check out the map. The Mayor’s office is also encouraging program providers to share more about their offerings and whether programs in City of Chicago have the ability to extend programming hours on November 12, 2021. Please complete the survey if your organization may be able to support this initiative.

Governor JB Pritzker Announces $250 Million Investment to Prevent Gun Violence

On November 1, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker, alongside state legislators and state agencies, declared gun violence a public health crisis in Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker issued an Executive Order and also announced a $250 million investment over the next three years to implement the Reimagine Public Safety Act, a data-driven and community-based violence prevention initiative. Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for qualified organizations will be released before the end of 2021 to keep in line with the goal of having programming start summer of 2022. This grant program will be overseen by the new Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) within the Department of Human Services (IDHS). This violence prevention initiative includes four key elements:

• High-risk youth intervention programs that have been proven to reduce involvement in the criminal or juvenile justice system, referrals of teens into therapeutic programs that address trauma recovery and other mental health services. 
• Violence prevention services, including street-based violence interruption work, emotional or trauma related therapy, housing, employment, job training/placement, family engagement, and wrap-around support services.
• Youth development programs, including after school and summer programming to increase school attendance and school performance, reduce criminal justice system involvement, and build social-emotional persistence and intelligence.
• Trauma recovery services for young people, funded by Medicaid, designed and implemented by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to address trauma recovery from chronic exposure to firearm violence. A team-based model of care will include case management and school support services, group and individual therapy, and evidence-based family systems interventions

In the upcoming weeks, the OFVP will announce competitive funding opportunities for grants focused on technical assistance for violence prevention and youth development and intervention. $50 million in funding has been budgeted for the remainder of the state’s fiscal year 22, and $100 million for each of the subsequent two fiscal years will be requested.

IDHS and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) are collaborating to provide technical assistance and training opportunities for community organizations across the state to apply for funding that will help address factors that contribute to gun violence.

Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Board: October Board Meeting Recap

On October 25, 2021, the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Board met for its monthly meeting. To access the meeting agenda and review future meeting materials, click here. The Board heard a presentation from Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) on the second round of funding for the historic grant program. The second Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), totaling $35 million, will be released during Winter 2021. This NOFO is only for new grantees and ICJIA announced that it will be connecting with current R3 grantees to share that they will be eligible for continued funding. Reviewers to evaluate applications to the R3 program and other state grant opportunities are also being sought at this time. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, please sign up using this survey. If you have any questions or are interested in hosting a presentation, please contact Emily Harwell at Emily.harwell@illinois.gov.

Chicago Public Schools Anti-Violence Youth Program

On October 25, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that it will allocate $7.5 million to expand an anti-violence program for teens in “high-risk situations.” This initiative, called Choose to Change, aims to connect 1,000 young people to wraparound services such as weekly therapy and dedicated mentors. CPS leadership shared that four community groups will help provide services to students most impacted by violence and trauma during the school year. Finally, the program is being funded by the district, the city of Chicago, and philanthropic donations.

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Licensed Day Care Center Providers Released

On October 22, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and several state agencies announced a new vaccination mandate for licensed day care providers. Employees in these settings who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week. Increased testing frequency may be required in certain situations.

Illinois State Board of Education FY23 Budget Hearing Summary

In October, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) hosted three Budget Hearings to encourage the public to weigh in on the agency’s budget recommendations for the state’s Fiscal Year 2023. ACT Now would like to thank Teresa Dothard-Campbell (Glenview Middle School Lights ON for Learning), Kenny Riley (Carole Robertson Center for Learning), Christy Filby (Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs), and Eric Weis

(Kendall County State’s Attorney) for providing testimony in support of out-of-school time (OST) programming. Teresa spoke to the importance of afterschool in supporting students’ social-emotional wellbeing and academic outcomes. Kenny highlighted how afterschool programming is critical in supporting low-income families and that there is a need to increase salaries for program providers. Christy shared that programs across the state oftentimes also double as childcare opportunities for families. Eric stated that the continuum of care we make available to young Illinoisans must continue through their teen years to ensure that youth are safe and engaged. That is why the law enforcement leaders of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids also support quality afterschool programs. In specific, ACT Now and our partners advocated for:

• Sustained funding of $20 million for the After School Programs line
• A new $15 million grant program for Community Schools to build upon the recent investment in the strategy through the Community Partnerships Grant.

We also urged ISBE to encourage districts to continue to partner with community-based organizations in creating learning renewal plans and using ESSER funding. Our final ask involved providing more transparency in the afterschool programs line to ensure that school districts use this funding to OST programs. 

ISBE heard testimony from Tony Diaz (After School Matters) who elevated the importance of maintaining level funding of $3.4 million for After School Matters programming for youth throughout the City of Chicago. The agency also heard testimony from a variety of individuals in support of:

• A substantial increase of at least $54.5 million to the Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) to support early childhood program providers and educators in Illinois
• $350 million for the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) line that supports school districts and alternative schools in providing quality education and resources for youth from primarily underserved populations across the state.
• Sustained funding for Agricultural Education and youth programming related to the agricultural sector

ISBE will review these budget recommendations in the November Board meeting.

Illinois State Board of Education October Board Meeting Recap

On October 19, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education met for its monthly Board meeting in Macomb, Illinois. To access the recording and meeting materials, click here. ISBE heard public comment on why the state agency must collaborate more with school districts and advocate for local control with the Governor’s Office. The Board also voted to add the FY22 After School Programs grant line to the November Board Meeting agenda. This grant is for school districts and community-based organizations (CBOs) and totals $20 million, with $3 million earmarked to CBOs. Once approved by the Board, the Request for Proposals (RFP) for CBOs will be released. The next ISBE board meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2021.

Guidance for PreK-12 School-Associated COVID-19 Outbreaks

On October 15, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the agency will be following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and adopting the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ (CSTE) guidance for PreK-12 school-associated outbreaks. Previously, CDC defined two cases associated with a school as an outbreak. This new guidance defines a school outbreak as either (1) multiple cases comprising at least 10% of students, teachers, or staff within a core group or (2) at least three cases within a specified core group. A core group means only those individuals who were together during an exposure period. For example, this could be limited to a classroom, a sports team, before/after school care, performing arts, or other groups and likely does not apply to the entire school population.

Expanded COVID-19 Testing Opportunities for K-12 Institutions in Illinois

On October 8, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the agency had partnered with the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Midwest COVID-19 Testing Coordination Center (MCC) to help increase capacity and facilitate faster access to COVID-19 testing in schools across the state. This partnership will help to support both public and private K-12 institutions with testing students and personnel.

Chicago Public Schools Decreases Quarantine Time for Students

On October 5, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) leadership announced that the school district will be shortening the quarantine time for unvaccinated students from 14 days to 10 days.

Governor JB Pritzker Signs Legislation to Change Illinois’ House and Senate Districts

On September 24, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed the new Illinois General Assembly House and Senate district maps into law. These legislative maps were drawn up utilizing 2020 U.S. Census data and aim to preserve diversity and minority representation across the state of Illinois. The General Assembly Redistricting Act of 2021 (SB 927) takes effect immediately.

Illinois State Board of Education Files Emergency Rules for COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

On September 17, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) filed emergency rules with the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State to support schools and school districts in implementing Executive Order 2021-22, which requires Illinois school personnel either to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to undergo at least weekly testing, beginning September 19, 2021.

• Schools may ensure compliance for school personnel who are not employed directly by the school, such as those supplied by a vendor or contractor, by requiring the vendor to submit an attestation that it will only provide school personnel who are compliant with the requirements and will collect the proof of vaccination or testing results itself.
• School personnel who are not fully vaccinated may be permitted to enter or work at the school while they are awaiting the results of their weekly test. That means school personnel who are not fully vaccinated on Monday do not need to show proof of a negative test result on Monday, but they must take a test within the first week and weekly thereafter.

ISBE and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will update its joint public health guidance and frequently asked questions and answers to align with the executive order and emergency rules. ISBE will continue to update the FAQ in response to your questions.

Illinois State Board of Education Retreat and September Meeting Recap

On September 14, 2021, and September 15, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its annual retreat and its monthly Board meeting. To access the recordings and meeting materials, click here. Both days, ISBE heard public comment on the importance of local control.

During the Board meeting, ISBE approved the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Upward Amendment, which increases the grant funding from $10 million to $15 million for fiscal year 2022. The addition of $5 million allows ISBE to increase the number of grantees. ISBE also approved the request for sealed proposals for nonpublic school high-impact tutoring, which will be formally released to vendors in October. This two-year initiative specifically targeting nonpublic institutions will be funded at over $22 million with Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) dollars from the state agency’s set-aside.

ISBE’s next board meetings will take place on October 18, 2021, and October 19, 2021. The Board also has upcoming budget hearings in early-October (both in-person and virtual). To find more details about the budget hearings, click here.

Governor JB Pritzker Announces Child Care Investments for Providers and Families in Illinois

On September 13, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois will provide every eligible child care provide a one-time $1,000 bonus and expand the child care subsidy program for families. These actions are in an effort to stop the high turnover rate in the sector and provide incentives during a staffing crisis. The program also allows coverage of three months of child care or after school care costs for children whose parents are unemployed and seeking work. Previously, the program only covered costs for about 93,400 children whose parents are working or attending school. 

New COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Chicago Public Schools Vendors and Personnel

On September 10, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released updated guidance for vendors to certify COVID-19 vaccinations. To read the previously shared mandate, click here. As of September 10, 2021, CPS also required suppliers for vendors with youth contact to be vaccinated and to ensure that all employees with a medical of religious exemption will be tested weekly. Any inquiries should be submitted via a Procurement Customer Service Ticket so the school district may track all questions.

Illinois State Board of Education COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Clarification

On September 8, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that the Governor’s Executive Order does not prohibit any entity from exceeding the minimum requirements for vaccinations.

Illinois State Board of Education Passes Resolution to Allow Remote Learning for Quarantined Students

On September 7, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved a resolution that would require school districts to offer remote learning to all students who are quarantined after being potentially exposed to COVID-19 in school. Further, the new public health guidelines also give school districts the ability to close school buildings under an “adaptive pause” if there is an outbreak at schools. 

Kids In Illinois Will Soon Be Able To Take 5 Mental Health Days From School

On September 3, 2021, WBEZ highlighted how under a bill signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker last month, students who decide to take a mental health day will not be required to provide their school with a doctor’s note and will be able to make up any work that was missed on their day off. Students are also now allowed to take up to five mental health days without being penalized.

Governor JB Pritzker Extends COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Deadline for Educators

On Friday, September 3, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker extended the educator COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements to allow schools more time to put testing and accountability measures in place. The first dose or testing deadline is now September 19, 2021. The Executive Order defines “School Personnel” as any person who (1) is employed by, volunteers for, or is contracted to provide services for a School or school district serving students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, or who is employed by an entity that is contracted to provide services to a School, school district, or students of a School, and (2) is in close contact (fewer than 6 feet) with other persons in the School for more than 15 minutes at least once a week on a regular basis as determined by the School.

Governor JB Pritzker Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Healthcare Workers, Pre-K-12 Teachers and Staff

On August 26, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that all healthcare workers, including nursing home employees, all pre-k-12 teachers and staff, as well as higher education personnel and students will now be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Workers and students in applicable settings must receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by September 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose. The announcement supersedes previous deadlines set for Chicago Public Schools (CPS)
• Employees in all of these settings and higher education students who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) may require increased testing in certain situations. 

Governor JB Pritzker also announced a statewide indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continue to increase. The masking requirements are effective Monday, August 30, 2021. 

Chicago Public Schools Clarification on Vaccination Mandate for All Vendors

Last week, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that as the district prepares to welcome students back to in-person on Monday, August 30, 2021, it will require that all vendor employees with regular direct contact with Chicago Public Schools students, and all vendor employees who are subject to a Chicago Public Schools background check, to be fully vaccinated unless they receive a medical or religious accommodation from their Employer. It will be the responsibility of each Vendor to certify to CPS that they comply with this vaccination requirement and that they maintain accurate personnel records to verify compliance. Vendor organizations will certify compliance by logging into the CPS Supplier Portal beginning August 30, 2021.

Chicago Public Schools New Reopening Guide for Families Released

On August 25, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that the district will drop the electronic COVID-19 screener it previously required families to complete daily before students stepped onto campus. Instead, CPS is asking families and caregivers to utilize an online checklist of symptoms and fill out an “attestation” form four times a year confirming that practice. CPS also introduced a new reopening guide for parents to review before the start of the school year on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Indoor Mask Mandate for All Individuals in Chicago Regardless of Vaccination Status

On August 17, 2021, the Chicago Department of Public Health announced that the agency will re-instate the face mask mandate for all indoor public settings as the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Chicago surpasses 400. All individuals aged 2 and over, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask as of Friday, August 20, 2021, while indoors in public settings.

Chalkbeat Article: Chicago Public Schools Mandates Full Vaccination Status of School Personnel by October 15

On August 13, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that the district will require all school administrators and educators to be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021, unless these individuals require a medical or religious exemption. School-based teachers and staff, central office, regular vendors, and network personnel who aren’t fully vaccinated or can’t provide documentation of an exemption by October 15th, will be ineligible to work for the district until they submit proof of vaccination or exemption. The decision reflects concerns for the safety of students and staff due to the emergence of the Delta variant.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Extension of Nutrition Benefits Program Announced

On August 12, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker shared that the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has extended the deadline for Illinois families to apply for nutrition benefits until August 31, 2021. This change is due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These benefits apply to households with school-aged children who were eligible for free or reduced meals from March 2020 through June 2020 when schools were operating remotely. Those who did not receive SNAP benefits last spring are able to submit a simplified application for P-EBT now.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Mask Mandate for Students, Educators, and Staff in Schools and Daycare Programs

On August 4, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that masks will be required for students, teachers, and staff at pre-school, and kindergarten through 12th-grade schools and daycare sites across the state. The new requirement formalizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance released in July on universal masking for both unvaccinated and vaccinated people in schools to ensure a safe return to classrooms. Governor JB Pritzker also announced his intent to require all state employees working in congregate facilities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by October 4, 2021. 

Governor Pritzker’s Office: $200 Million Allocated to Supporting Childcare Workforce Development

On July 28, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the state will invest $200 million of federal funds in additional training, mentorships, and scholarships to pursue advanced credentials for the childcare workforce over the next two years. Governor Pritzker also signed HB 2878, which established a statewide early childhood association to strengthen access to high-quality child care and direct this funding to where it can be most effective.

Illinois Department of Health: CDC Masking Recommendations Adopted for State

On July 27, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced it is fully adopting updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) masking recommendations to protect against COVID-19 and the Delta variant. The CDC recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor setting in areas with substantial and high transmission. CDC is also recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Finally, IDPH announced that the agency has released updated guidance for K-12 institutions as it relates to starting the new school year in Illinois.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: $742 Million in COVID-19 Relief Now Available to Illinois Small Local Governments

On July 22, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that small cities, towns and villages across Illinois that have not already received aid from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) can apply for a total of $742 million in federal funding. The money can be used to cover expenses incurred while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first payments are expected to be made in August. The deadline for municipalities to apply for funding is September 30, 2021, and there will be no other opportunity for municipalities to apply for later distributions.

Chicago Public Schools: Masks for Unvaccinated Personnel and Youth Will be Mandatory for School Year

On July 22, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) representatives announced that masks will be mandatory for school personnel, visitors, and youth, regardless of their vaccination status. Masks will not be mandatory for youth while eating or drinking indoors, or for outdoor activities including recess and sports. This change in regulation will span the entire school year to ensure that students and educators remain safe from COVID-19. However, district officials stated they cannot guarantee three feet of social distancing within school premises at all times given the student population and classroom constraints.

P-20 Council: July Meeting Recap

On July 23, 2021, the P-20 Council met for its monthly convening. The P-20 Council announced that it would be writing a report on learning renewal pursuant to HB 2170. There will be opportunities for stakeholder participation in writing this report. ACT Now provided public comment about the need for the greater school district and community organization collaboration in learning renewal and mentioned our upcoming webinars on this topic. The next P-20 Council meeting is September 24, 2021.

Chicago Public Schools: Masks for Unvaccinated Personnel and Youth Will be Mandatory for School Year

On July 22, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) representatives announced that masks will be mandatory for school personnel, visitors, and youth, regardless of their vaccination status. Masks will not be mandatory for youth while eating or drinking indoors, or for outdoor activities including recess and sports. This change in regulation will span the entire school year to ensure that students and educators remain safe from COVID-19. However, district officials stated they cannot guarantee three feet of social distancing within school premises at all times given the student population and classroom constraints.

Illinois Department of Public Health: Updated School Guidance after CDC Announcement

On July 9, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the state of Illinois will adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools released earlier in the day. The updated school guidance now aligns with guidance for fully vaccinated people, which allows activities to resume for fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask except where required by federal, state, and local rules and regulations.

• Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated.
• CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking.
• Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

Chalkbeat Chicago: Chicago Public Schools to Open Three COVID-19 Vaccine Sites

On July 7, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that the school district will host three COVID-19 vaccination sites for youth vaccinations starting this week. The locations include Chicago Vocational Career Academy in Avalon Park, Michele Clark High School in Austin, and Theodore Roosevelt High School in Albany Park. Each site will be open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the summer. At those three locations, CPS aims to administer up to 600 first doses of the vaccine each week. Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) proposed that the school district vaccinate 80% of students over 12 years old by October 1, 2021, utilizing a strategy of home visits and vaccine clinics on school grounds.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Expansion of Financial Support for Families Accessing Child Care and Program Providers

On June 29, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he will be expanding financial assistance for both families and providers that allow children to return to quality, affordable child care programs. Under this change, 80% of families will pay less for child care via the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Financial assistance includes:

• Reducing family payments: Family payments will be permanently lowered to $1 per month for families with incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Limit (FPL). 80% of all families will see a reduction in their monthly co-pay.
• Preserve co-pay percentage limits: Family payments will remain permanently capped at 7% of family income, with co-pays for 80% of families falling below that rate. 
• Supporting families as their income grows: CCAP families will now remain eligible until the family’s income surpasses 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), instead of the current cap of 225%.
• Increasing reimbursement rates: All CCAP providers will now receive 3.5% for reimbursements to help providers keep their doors open and fully recover from the pandemic.
• Improving predictability for providers: If a child receiving CCAP attends at least 70% of eligible days in a month, providers will be paid for the full month. The previous policy required an 80% attendance rate.

Illinois State Board of Education: June Board Meeting Recap

On June 16, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly meeting. Public comment included parents opposing mask mandates, superintendents asking for greater clarity on reopening guidelines, and advocates discussing state assessments. The Board heard a presentation on progress regarding its strategic plan. The Board discussed proposed regulations for its After School Programs funding line, which it will vote on in August. The Board also approved its plan for high-impact tutoring using ESSER funds. The Board will meet again on August 18, 2021.

Chicago Public Schools: “Moving Forward Together” Strategic Plan Released

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently released its Moving Forward Together Strategic Plan to the public which will invest $525 million over FY22 and FY23 to support students’ social-emotional needs, accelerate student learning, and prepare youth for life after the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately $267 million will be allocated to Moving Forward Together initiatives as part of CPS’s upcoming budget for the 2021-22 school year, which will be released this summer. In January 2022, CPS aims to engage community members and relevant stakeholders to assess the impact of these resources. There are three overarching themes to the initiative that all have funding related to afterschool and out-of-school time (OST):

• Flexible School Funds ($165 million over two school years; $47 million in FY22): For OST programming, in particular, CPS will invest more than $21 million to ensure all schools can offer afterschool and summer programming and each school has a dedicated Out of School Time coordinator.
• Priority Resources ($165 million over two school years; $93 million in FY22): With regard to social-emotional healing-centered resources for students, CPS is allocating $16 million in FY22 to ensure all schools have their own behavioral and mental health teams. Utilizing this funding, CPS will also institute a new Healing-Centered Framework and expand mental health services through community partnerships.
• Targeted Student Supports ($201 million over two school years; $106 million in FY22): To bolster Mentorship and Mental Health Supports for youth, CPS is allocating $12 million in FY22 to support highly qualified mentorship and mental health providers. Relating to Summer Learning Programs, CPS will invest $8 million in FY22 to enhance summer learning programs like Summer Bridge and Expanded Credit Recovery. Finally, CPS will invest $25 million in FY22 to hire and train 850 literacy tutors in grades K through 5 and math tutors in grades 6 through 12 at schools with students who most need support.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Legislation Signed to Ensure Juneteenth Becomes a State Holiday

On June 16, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation declaring June 19, Juneteenth, an official state holiday. To commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865, Juneteenth will be recognized as National Freedom Day in Illinois. This legislation was elevated by the Black Caucus is another historic step in striving toward equity and justice across Illinois. The bill will go into effect January 1, 2022. 

Illinois Department of Public Health: Updated Guidance on Youth Camps

Earlier in the month, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) shared that the State of Illinois will adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for operating youth camps. The guidance highlights the importance of educating families on the COVID-19 vaccine and encouraging them to vaccinate their youth ages 12 and older. The document also hosts information relating to social distancing, masks, and protocols for overnight camps.

Illinois State Board of Education: U.S. Department of Education Fiscal Waivers to School Districts Approved

On June 9, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) received approval from the U.S. Department of Education to grant fiscal waivers to local education agencies (LEAs) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The waivers also apply to 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants and allow for school districts and programs to roll over their funding. ISBE will reach out to grantees with more information on how to access unexpended funds. Please submit any questions to illinoiscares@ISBE.net.

Illinois Department of Public Health: Update Frequently Asked Questions Document for Schools

On June 7, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document for Schools. There is information regarding supporting staff and youth that are ill, COVID1-19 testing, screening, and vaccinations. There is also guidance for facilitating programming in community settings. Questions regarding COVID-19 testing in schools can be directed to DPH.COVIDSchool@Illinois.gov. Those interested in participating in SHIELD Illinois, the screening initiative for the State, can email Beth Heller, at bheller@uillinois.edu.

Illinois State Board of Education: Back to School 2020-2021 Sample Letters to Families about COVID-19 Vaccinations

Last week, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released a variety of sample letters to parents and families for community-based organizations to communicate about options for eligible children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if their district did not host a vaccination event. Below, you can find translated documents to share with your community members and partners.

• English
• Spanish
• Arabic
• Chinese Simplified
• Chinese Traditional
• Polish
• Tagalog
• Urdu

Governor JB Pritzker: Guidelines for Illinois Reopening on June 11, 2021 Released

On June 4, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker released guidelines for Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan. This guidance will go into effect on June 11, 2021, and marks the full reopening of all activities in the state of Illinois. The guidelines allow businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, and seated-spectator venues to operate at full capacity for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Phase 5, fully vaccinated individuals may resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. The State will continue to recommend masking for unvaccinated persons, and require it for all people while traveling on public transportation, in congregate settings, in health care settings, as well as in schools, day cares, and educational institutions pursuant to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and CDC guidance.

Illinois General Assembly: FY22 Budget Agreed Upon and Passed

Yesterday, June 1, 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed a $42.3 billion state budget plan (SB 2800) for FY22. The state budget will include:

• $14.5 millionfor Teen REACH
  • An additional $10 million from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to the Department of Human Services for the Teen REACH program
• $20 million for the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) After School Programs
  • An additional $10 million will be appropriated from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund to the Illinois State Board of Education for costs associated with implementing after school programs
• $3.4 million for After School Matters
• $350 million for the evidence-based funding line for K-12 schools across the state, bringing the total to $9.2 billion
• $3.4 billion for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
• $125.8 million for Community Service Programs for persons with mental illness, Child with mental illness, child and adolescent mental health programs, mental health transitions or state operated mental health facilities.
• $1.5 billion from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) is expected to be allocated for economic recovery programs, public health, affordable housing, and violence prevention programs including afterschool programming and summer youth employment opportunities
  • $100 million of which will be specifically for violence prevention programs, afterschool programming and summer youth employment opportunities
• $7.4 billion for human services
• $1.9 billion for higher education
• $230 million for Grants for Free Distribution of Food Supplies and for Grants for Nutrition Program Food Centers under the USDA Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

Chicago Tribune Article: ISBE Board Meeting and Funding for Afterschool

On May 27, 2021, the Chicago Tribune highlighted ACT Now’s testimony at the Illinois State Board of Education Board meeting. Community schools, older youth, and collaboration between schools and community-based organizations were among some of the things Susan Stanton from ACT Now urged ISBE to invest in. Some of our partners that were also highlighted include Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and West Chicago Elementary School District 33.

Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development: Restore Illinois Licensed Day Care Guidance & License Exempt School-Aged Guidance

On May 26, 2021, the Illinois Governor’s Office of Childhood Development released updated guidance for licensed daycare providers and license-exempt school-aged providers. The guidance reflects the Governor’s announcement that effective May 17, 2021, the State of Illinois entered the Bridge Phase of Restore Illinois. Technical changes have been made to Paragraph E, PPE Face Coverings, and further changes to this Guidance were made.

Illinois State Board of Education: COVID Funding Updates and May Board Meeting Recap

On May 19, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly meeting. The Board heard public comment about the Reopening Resolution and state assessments. Afterschool leaders from across the state also presented testimony about how the state should spend its COVID relief funding. ISBE adopted a Reopening Resolution with much debate, including how schools will handle outbreaks or students too young to receive a vaccine. ISBE provided an update on its ESSER funds. The full update on the ISBE Board meeting and ESSER funding.

Illinois Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Ready to Administer Pfizer Vaccine to Youth 12 to 15 Years Old

On May 12, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced vaccination locations across the state are prepared to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to young people ages 12 to 15 years old. IDPH announced that schools may partner with the local health department or pharmacy to set up vaccination clinics for students. To access information on vaccinations, click here.

Illinois Department of Public Health: $225 Million Investment to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Middle and High Schools Statewide

On May 12, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) stated that it will invest $225 million to expand access to COVID-19 testing to middle and high schools at low to no cost across Illinois. To learn more, click here.

Advance Illinois: Governor JB Pritzker Supports Evidence-Based Funding Formula for FY22

In early May, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he is in favor of appropriating $350 million in general revenue funds for Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) for FY22. This appropriation will allow school districts across the state to invest in long-term supports and services for students. This announcement comes after Governor Pritzker excluded the EBF line in his FY22 budget proposal in February. To learn more, click here.

Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Board: May Board Meeting Recap

On May 7, 2021, the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Board met for its monthly meeting. To access the meeting agenda and review future meeting materials, click here. ICJIA asked the Board to pass the following measures:

• To accept the motion to increase funding to a collaborative in order to sustain and amplify services. The R3 Board voted in favor to increase funding to this grantee.
• To designate R3 Program funds for an emergency summer violence prevention program. ICJIA is aiming to provide grants for a total of $3 million to CBOs working to respond to the projected increase in violence in communities of color during Summer 2021. ICJIA shared with the R3 Board that funding may be used for youth development programming, work development and employment services, and violence intervention programming for young people. Some of the eligible regions include: the City of Chicago, Cook County, Aurora, Bloomington, Decatur, Peoria, Springfield, Waukegan, and Rockford. Grantees can expect to receive between $50,000 to $300,000 depending on organizational capacity. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected to be released this month. The R3 Board will review applications during the June 2021 Board meeting and grantees will receive funding on July 1, 2021, which must be expended by September 30, 2021. The R3 Board voted in favor of this emergency fund and the release of the NOFO.

Finally, the R3 Board heard a status update on the second round of R3 funding. ICJIA expects to release a new NOFO for a total of between $10 to $20 million in Fall 2021, with the application closing in December 2021. Please note that there will also be funding available for current R3 recipients to apply for in order to continue serving communities across the state.

ACT Now: COVID-19 Relief Sign On Letter

Illinois is receiving a historical level of federal aid to support afterschool and summer learning providers. As a result, ACT Now has written a letter highlighting several recommendations for state agencies to consider when allocating and utilizing COVID-19 relief aid. To advocate alongside ACT Now and read the letter, click here. To sign on, click here.

ACT Now: FY22 Budget Advocacy Alert to Legislators

Afterschool programs and community schools are an extremely effective resource in solving many of the problems exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID-19. As the nation continues to respond to the pandemic and the State of Illinois faces projected budget cuts to health and human services, it is imperative that we come together to support our youth and most marginalized communities by funding afterschool programs and community schools in Illinois.

ACT Now is asking that the Illinois General Assembly approve the following line items proposed in Governor Pritzker’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget:

• Restore the Teen REACH line item to the funding appropriated in FY18, at $19.6 million
• Allocate a minimum of $270 million from U.S. Congress’ Child Care Stabilization Fund for CCAP via Child Care Restoration Grants. We ask that there be flexibility in the use of dollars and eligibility for license-exempt providers.
• Develop a new $15 million line item to support Community Schools in the state
• Include $3.44 million for After School Matters
• Include $20 million in direct funding for ISBE’s After School Programs line
• Allocate funding for afterschool and Community Schools from the federal COVID-19 relief package

ACT Now & ADVOCATE

Click HERE to send our advocacy alert

Tell your legislators to Fund Afterschool and Community Schools NOW

Count Me In

Illinois State Board of Education: April Board Meeting Recap

On April 21, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly meeting. To find the meeting materials and information about future meetings, click here. The Student Advisory Council presented to the Board and recommended that the Board invest in tutoring to support learning renewal, does not extend the school day or year, train teachers annually on meeting the mental health needs of students, and create a tax credit and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) partnership to attract more teachers of color. The Board also discussed ESSER funds. The Board has shared information on its state projects using ESSER II funds several times but has not shared how that funding will be distributed. With regard to ESSER III funds from the American Rescue Plan, ISBE shared that all districts must submit a return to in-person learning plan and to allow for public comment on it. The twenty percent set aside for districts to address learning loss was also addressed, including that this funding can be used for afterschool and summer learning. Finally, Superintendent Dr. Ayala emphasized the need for districts to use this funding to build capacity.

Chalkbeat Chicago Article: Chicago Public Schools to Allocate $225 Million for In-Person Instruction

On April 21, 2021, Chalkbeat Chicago shared that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will allocate an additional $225 million into its school budget for School Year 2021-2022 as it moves to address the pandemic’s upheaval and resume full-time in-person learning on all campuses in the fall. CPS administrators announced that schools will receive $85 million to address recovery from the pandemic. Principals will have leeway to use most of the money to support students’ academic needs, with some dollars earmarked for out-of-school enrichment opportunities and some going to charter schools. To read more about CPS funding for student supports, click here.

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: Partnership with Chicago Public Schools for Health Resources

On April 20, 2021, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IHFS) announced that the agency is partnering with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to promote health resources for Medicaid-eligible students and families. The ‘Every Superhero Needs a Sidekick’ campaign will raise awareness about the full spectrum of healthcare and social services available to the more than 240,000 CPS students and families enrolled in Medicaid, and those who are eligible but not yet enrolled. The services include COVID-19 testing, health risk screenings, vaccinations, wellness check doctor visits, prescriptions, therapy, transportation to and from a doctor, and more. To read the full press release, click here.

Afterschool Alliance: New Website for Providers Looking to Access American Rescue Plan Dollars Live

Last week, the Afterschool Alliance launched a new website called Help Kids Recover in order to serve as a resource for local and state education agencies, as well as out-of-school time (OST) providers looking to access funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP).To access a variety of materials and information regarding partnerships for afterschool and summer learning, click here. To read the blog post on the website, click here.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: $1.6 Billion in Federal Aid Allocated for Early Childhood Education and Child Care

On April 16, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that his administration will be allocating $1.6 billion in federal COVID relief to expand access to early childhood education and child care opportunities across the state of Illinois. Child care providers are expected to receive $140 million in direct grants in the next several weeks in order to support child care providers. The Governor also announced a network of statewide early childhood planning councils to ensure all communities have access to the early childhood services in particular. To read the full press release, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: Title I, Part A Fiscal Waiver Public Comment

On April 13, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) shared that U.S. Department of Education released an application for an ESEA fiscal waiver for Title I, Part A, among other Title programs, in spring 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. ISBE received approval for this and other waivers at that time and would like to continue to provide this flexibility for school districts during the 2021-22 school year. As a result, ISBE is submitting a waiver to continue to provide the following:

• The removal of the 15% carryover limitation that allows an LEA to carry over more that 15% of unused funds once every three years.
• An extension of the availability of SEA funds that would otherwise expire on September 30, 2021, through September 30, 2022.

ISBE must post the waiver application and collect public comment. Please submit any comments on the ESEA fiscal waiver application by May 4, 2021, to essa@isbe.net.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Illinois Opens to Full COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility to Individuals 16+

On April 8, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that starting April 12, 2021, the state of Illinois will be opening universal eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination for individuals 16 and older. Furthermore, the Governor shared that starting this week, an additional 150,000 new first-dose vaccine appointments will be made available at the 11 state-supported mass vaccination operations in Cook and the collar counties and area pharmacies. All sites still require appointments. To read the full press release and review the nearest vaccination location to you, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: Preliminary ESSER III Funding Allocation to School Districts Released

On April 1, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released two Excel documents with information relating to the American Rescue Plan’s ESSER III funding. The first document highlights the breakdown of federal education COVID-19 relief that the state agency is receiving. The second sheet shows ISBE’s preliminary funding allocation data to school districts, based upon the Title I formula. ISBE also announced that Non-Title I providers will receive approximately $142 per student. Additionally, ISBE is encouraging school districts and program providers alike to combine and blend federal funding sources – from ESSER to Title grants – in order to maximize equity and plan for sustainability. To access these documents, click here. ISBE shared that the application for ESSER III funds will be released July 1, 2021.

Illinois Department of Human Services: Teen REACH Notice of Funding Opportunity Released

Last week, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has released its FY22 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Teen REACH program. Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope) is an out-of-school time program serving at-risk youth between the ages of 6 and 17. The purpose of the program is to expand the range of choices and opportunities that enable, empower and encourage youth to achieve positive growth and development, improve expectations and capabilities for future success and avoid and/or reduce risk-taking behavior. Specifically, this means providing youth with safe environments, caring adults, guiding them toward marketable skills, and opportunities to serve their communities. Teen REACH is not a drop-in program, rather it is intended to serve the same youth every day. The program is a year-round, 12-month program requiring services on average 3 hours per day, a minimum 240 days per year. Teen REACH requires programming in 7 CORE Service Areas. IDHS will be hosting a technical assistance webinar for applicants on the NOFO on April 13, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register, click here. To read the full NOFO, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: P-20 Learning Renewal Resource Guide Published

On March 31, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) shared the P-20 Council’s Learning Renewal Resource Guide with the public. This 180-page guide is filled with recommendations from stakeholders from across Illinois to help school districts and their partners plan for learning renewal. There are 12 priorities, one of which includes providing afterschool, out-of-school time (OST), and summer learning programming for students. This guide is designed to help formulate initiatives that utilize federal education funding and is a working document. 

In conjunction with federal COVID-19 aid and the Learning Renewal Resource Guide, ISBE is also launching four new state-led initiatives to provide guidance and support in the most critical areas:

• High-impact tutoring, with a focus on aligning tutoring with classroom instruction throughout the school year and during the summer.
• Social and emotional learning community partnerships, including with the Center for Childhood Resilience, housed at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
• Interim assessment, intended solely for diagnostic purposes, provide reliable measures for understanding the impact on student learning so educators can target their responses to students’ needs.
• Bridge/transition support, to encourage enrollment in both early childhood programs and higher education.

ISBE and the P-20 Council invite program providers and community-based organizations to review the guide and share comments and additions. To read the entire guide, click here.

Chalkbeat Chicago: Chicago Public Schools Potentially Will Bring Back Students in August

Yesterday, March 22, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) stated that the school district is moving forward with its plans to start the school year 2021-2022 on August 31, 2021, rather than waiting for after the Labor Day holiday. This change in the school calendar reflects vast concerns from school administrators and families alike of learning loss and other school disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chicago Board of Education will vote tomorrow on this proposal. Under this new start date, educators would return to school on August 18, 2021. CPS has also extended the date for families to choose whether their child(ren) return(s) to in-person learning for the fourth quarter, which begins April 19, 2021, as part of its staggered reopening plan. For the first time in over a year, high school families also have that option. The district has set a target high school reopening date of April 19, 2021, pending the outcome of negotiations with Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). To read the full Chalkbeat article, click here.

Chalkbeat Chicago: Chicago Public Schools to Allocate Funding for Trauma and Mental Health Services for Students

Yesterday, March 22, 2021, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) representatives shared that the school district plans to allocate $24 million, of the $1.8 billion in federal COVID-19 relief (The American Rescue Plan) directed to CPS, to provide students with trauma and mental health programming. The school district will expend this aid over the course of three years and aims to expand the number of behavioral support teams from 200 schools to approximately 500 across school sites. Overall, CPS is looking to reinforce its support service teams with onboarding social workers, school counselors, and school nurses. Funding will also be utilized to partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) via grants in order to meet this goal. To read the full Chalkbeat article, click here.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Governor Expands COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility to All Residents Age 16+ Starting in April

On March 18, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that starting on April 12, 2021, all residents age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination regardless of location and medical background. This is in direct response to an increase in the national COVID-19 vaccination supply and heightened capacity to administer the vaccination to Illinoisans across the state. All vaccinations are by appointment only. To access information on vaccination sites, click here. The Governor’s Office shared that there will also be announcements for populations that are to be prioritized before universal eligibility. Finally, IDPH shared that the agency has released a metrics-based, vaccination-informed framework for Illinois to advance to Phase 5 of the state’s Restore Illinois Plan. To read this framework, click here. To read the full press release, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: March Board Meeting Recap

On March 17, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly meeting. The Board heard public comment about the Social Science Standards, assessments, and the CPS Monitor. The Board heard a presentation on ESSER II funds. Dr. Ayala mentioned that the state would be using $11.5 million of its state set aside from ESSER II for community schools. The Board also heard presentations from superintendents about their plans for ESSER II funding, which included afterschool and summer programs and tutoring. To access the meeting materials for the March meeting and information about future Board meetings, click here.

Illinois Department of Public Health: Mobile COVID-19 Test Sites to Focus on High-Risk Populations

On March 16, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that the agency will be focusing its mobile COVID-19 testing campaign on high-demand and high-risk populations across the state of Illinois. This is in direct response to a decline in the number of residents utilizing testing sites and in preparation for the next phases of the pandemic response. As a result, IDPH will be deploying its mobile testing teams to locations such as schools, processing plants, high risk workplaces, and other targeted locations. To review the locations of mobile testing sites and the full press release, click here.

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office: Rural Vaccination Pilot Program Launched

Yesterday, March 15, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the State of Illinois will be launching a rural vaccination pilot program in order to further expand access to COVID-19 vaccinations. Beginning this week, additional National Guard mobile operations will visit rural communities across the state with the capability to deliver upwards of 1,000 doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine per day. To read the full press release and access the list of locations, click here.

P-20 Council: March Board Meeting Recap

On March 12, 2021, the P-20 Council met. The Council heard a recap of the impact of the American Rescue Plan on Illinois. The P-20 Council held breakout discussions on State-Led Initiatives in support of learning renewal. These projects cover the following topics: interim assessment, social and emotional supports, and community partnerships, cross-sector transition support, and high-impact tutoring. The support of community schools, community-based organizations, and 21st CCLC came up several times in these discussions. The Council also heard a proposal to amend our state’s 60 by 25 goals to 65% of Illinoisans by 2035 as well as equity-focused targets to accelerate enrollment and completion for sub-groups. 

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Education and Workforce Equity Act Signed into Law

Yesterday, on March 8, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Education and Workforce Equity Act (HB 2170) into law, which aims to strengthen the state’s priorities in delivering high-quality learning for early-learners and K-12 students by supporting public schools, making college education more affordable, investing in vocational training, and expanding the teacher workforce. As it relates to the afterschool field, the Act requires the Illinois P-20 Council to make recommendations for both the short-term and long-term learning recovery actions for students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also creates the Whole Child Task Force, which will focus on expanding trauma-responsive school services. To read the full press release, click here. 

Illinois Department of Human Services: The Child Care Restoration Grants 2021 Program Now Open 

Last week, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced that the agency is soliciting applications for the agency’s Child Care Restoration Grants 2021 program (CCRG). This $331 million program is funded by the federal relief package passed by the US Congress and exists in order to sustain child care as the economy continues to reopen. The CCRG 2021 first round of grants will be retroactive to January 2021 and cover the months of January, February, and March 2021. Monthly reporting will be required and can be submitted at the end of the 3-month grant period. Eligible applicants include:

• Licensed child care center providers
• Licensed family home and group home providers
• License-exempt school-age child care providers and Out-of-School Time (OST) providers

Please note that the amount of funding differs between the groups of providers. 

• Licensed child care center providers will receive grants on a quarterly-basis and as funding is available. 
• Both licensed family home and group home providers, as well as license-exempt school-age child care providers and OST providers, will receive limited one-time stipends for the months of January, February, and March 2021.

To review the total amount of stipends available by group and access more information on the CCRG 2021 program, click here. The CCRG helpline is continuing to offer assistance and answer questions by email at ccrg@inccrra.org.

ACT Now would like to acknowledge the leadership from the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs for the ongoing advocacy around the need to include license-exempt school-age and OST child care providers in grant programs administered by IDHS. 

ACT Now thanks these Alliances for continuing to fight for our afterschool providers and congratulate them on this success!

City of Chicago: Guidance on Out-of-School Time Programming

Last week, the Chicago Department of Public Health released new guidance as it relates to COVID-19 restrictions and Out-of-School Time (OST) programming. OST providers are now allowed to host indoor group exercise or fitness classes capped at 20 individuals (e.g., dance, yoga). Programs in which participants are primarily seated/stationery may continue in cohorts of up to 20 people (e.g., painting, creative writing, homework help). Day camps are still limited to 50% of facility capacity with no more than 15 participants per group. To learn more, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: United Center COVID-19 Vaccination Site To Be Opened March 10

On February 26, 2021, in a joint announcement with the Biden Administration, Cook County Board President Preckwinkle, Chicago Mayor Lightfoot, and Senators Durbin and Duckworth, Governor JB Pritzker, shared that eligible Illinoisans from every part of the state will be able to be vaccinated starting March 10, 2021, at the United Center.  To read the full press release with more information and locations of the 15 state-supported mass vaccination sites, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Legislation Signed Into Law that Protects First Responders and Frontline Essential Workers

On February 26, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 4276 into law, which extends worker compensation benefits until June 30, 2021, for first responders and frontline essential workers who were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 through their job. This legislation also allows employees to take extended time-off to up to 60 days if COVID-19 impacted the recovery of the individual. To learn more about this law, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Governor JB Pritzker Expands Eligibility of Phase 1B to Include Illinoisans with Serious Medical Conditions

On February 25, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that Illinoisans with serious medical conditions will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations. Eligible individuals include Illinois residents 16 and older with disabilities or underlying serious health conditions who aren’t otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories, in accordance with CDC guidelines. To access the full list of underlying health conditions, click here. To read the full press release, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Youth Career Pathways Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Released

On February 24, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker stated that Illinois will be providing new funding for the Youth Career Pathways program that will expand training for Illinois youth who face barriers to education, training, and employment. Through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the state will expand access to training and support services for youth ages 16-24 and who are most at-risk for falling behind on career preparation. Applications for the NOFO are due April 1, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. To learn more about this funding opportunity apply for the NOFO, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Illinois Children Will Receive Monthly Food Aid Starting in March

On February 23, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services shared that beginning this month, approximately one million children across the state will receive additional food benefits, valued at up to $110 million per month. This support, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, is expected to reach 200,000 more eligible children this school year compared to last year. Students eligible will automatically receive these benefits on an “EBT Card” mailed directly to their homes. The funding will be distributed by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to students who are eligible for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) support. To read the full press release, click here.

ACT Now: Sign-On Letter on Education COVID Relief for Afterschool Programs

ACT Now has launched a sign-on letter campaign to the Illinois State Board of Illinois (ISBE) in support of education COVID-19 relief and school-afterschool partnerships. 

This letter emphasizes the need for the state to utilize federal COVID relief for afterschool and summer programs. ACT Now is also calling for ISBE to ensure that school districts coordinate with their afterschool partners as funds are spent.

To read the full letter, click here. ACT Now and support afterschool providers! 

Sign On by Clicking here!

Governor Pritzker’s Office: FY22 Budget Proposal Released

On February 17, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker released his FY22 Budget Proposal and gave his State of the State and Budget Address. To find a full copy of the proposed budget, click here. The following are updates on several afterschool related state funding lines:

• Teen REACH is proposed to be funded at the same level of funding as last year at $14.5 million
• The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) received a $20 million proposed decrease in state funding but a proposed additional $400 million in federal appropriation authority for a total of $169 billion
• The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) After School Programs line is proposed to be funded at $20 million
• After School Matters is proposed to be funded at the same level of funding as last year at $3.4 million

Now, the General Assembly will work on state budget, to be completed by the end of May. To take action to support these funding lines, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: February Board Meeting Recap

On February 18, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly meeting. To access the materials from the meeting and upcoming meeting information, click here. The Board heard public comment from a panel of superintendents that spoke in support of waiving state testing requirements for this spring and a panel of high school students that spoke in support of Career and Technical Education. The ISBE Board also voted in two new members of the Board, Roger Eddy and Jaime Guzman. The Board also heard presentations on the teacher shortage and on enrollment numbers for this school year. The next Board meeting is March 17, 2021.

ACT Now: Letter on COVID Relief for Afterschool Programs and School-Age Child Care

ACT Now has written a letter to Secretary Hou of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to advocate for COVID-19 relief for afterschool programs and school-age child care providers. The letter speaks to the need for heightened support for afterschool and child care programs as families and parents return to work.

ACT Now asks that IDHS use the flexibility provided by the Federal Office of Child Care, as well as additional flexibilities and funding provided in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), to support school-age child care and afterschool providers that are license-exempt to help keep them afloat. 

To read the full letter, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Plan to Expand Phase 1B Eligibility of Vaccination Rollout Released

On February 10, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that the state of Illinois is in the process of expanding Phase 1B eligibility to individuals who have comorbidities and underlying health conditions as defined by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). In addition, Illinois will also prioritize individuals with disabilities. This expansion also applies to people 16 and older that aren’t otherwise covered in previous eligibility categories. To review read the full press release and learn more about the expansion of Phase 1B, click here.

Chalkbeat Article: Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools Reach Agreement on Reopening

On February 10, 2021, Chalkbeat Chicago reported that Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) reached an agreement on reopening the school district. More than two-thirds of CTU members backed this agreement after days of contentious discussion. This agreement between CTU and CPS may allow for students to begin returning to their classrooms immediately. Students in most elementary grades are still scheduled to return to school buildings on March 1, 2021. To read the full article, click here.

ACT Now: COVID-19 Follow-Up Survey for Afterschool Providers

In order to assess the current needs of the afterschool, summer learning, and community schools providers in Illinois, ACT Now has developed a brief COVID-19 Follow-Up survey. The survey should take a maximum of 15 minutes and will allow us to understand how we may best support your organization and staff amidst the ongoing pandemic. ACT Now appreciates your thoughts, concerns, questions, and any other feedback you may provide through this COVID-19 inquiry survey. We aim to review the responses with the field in our upcoming Afterschool Town Hall on March 2, 2021, and to develop support materials for the provider community. To complete the survey, click here.

Chalkbeat Article: Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools Create Tentative Agreement on Reopening

On February 7, 2021, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) representatives announced that CTU was weighing a tentative agreement with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that would end the impasse on reopening the school district. There will be two days of meetings to further discuss the agreement and to make a final decision. Under this tentative agreement, Pre-Kindergarten and some special education teachers and students will return to in-person instruction on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Kindergarten through fifth-grade educators will be transitioning back into schools on February 22, 2021, to prepare for students in these grades to return on March 1, 2021. Finally, sixth through eighth-grade teachers are scheduled to enter school premises on March 1, 2021, with students following on March 8, 2021. To keep updated on the situation, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: 21st Century Community Learning Center Request for Proposals – Opportunity for Providers

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will be releasing a 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st Century) Request for Proposals (RFP) in Spring 2021. 21st Century is a federally-funded grant administered through ISBE. This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The funding is normally up to $150,000 per site for up to five years. ACT Now is working to build a network of support for programs that are new to applying for the 21st Century RFP. Please review the upcoming webinar event as well as our 21st Century RFP mentor opportunity in the subsequent sections.

P-20 Council: January Council Meeting Recap

On January 29, 2021, the Illinois P-20 Council met.  The first part of the meeting addressed how Illinois is addressing connectivity issues in Education, including in relation to access to internet and devices.  The second portion the meeting focused on learning renewal in response to the disruption in Education from COVID-19. The plan includes increased opportunities for out-of-school time support, such as afterschool and summer learning programs, as well as increased mental health supports for students.  Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala also echoed the need for afterschool and summer learning partnerships in recovery.  Council members provided feedback on the lack of transparency in developing the plan, which the Council agreed to examine.  ACT Now Network Lead, Susan Stanton, provided public comment about the need for school districts to collaborate with afterschool programs in order to achieve effective learning renewal.  For more information about P-20 Council meetings, click here.

Chalkbeat Chicago: Chicago Public Schools’ Teachers Vote Not To Return to In-Person Instruction

Yesterday, January 25, 2021, a majority of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) educators, clinicians, and paraprofessionals voted to reject the school district’s orders to report to school buildings in preparation for reopening for elementary school students. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has expressed that teachers plan to continue teaching virtually. To allow more time for negotiation, district leaders stated that they would push back the date teachers return to buildings to Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Pre-K and special education teachers and staff have already returned to in-person instruction and some will continue to do so. To learn more about this issue, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: January Board Meeting Recap

On January 22, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) met for its monthly meeting. During the public comment period, participants discussed vaccination distribution, charter schools, and early childhood learning. The Board also set up a committee to replace former board member and current State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas. The ISBE Student Advisory Council presented its goals for the year. The goals include developing ways to respond to post-COVID 19 achievement gaps, creating a diversity, equity, and inclusion framework; ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of students; and addressing the teacher shortage, especially in regards to diversifying the teacher workforce. The ISBE Board also discussed its budget recommendations for FY22. These recommendations include funding for afterschool programs and After School Matters, but not for community schools. The Illinois General Assembly will review these recommendations in creating the final budget. The Board also voted to release a new RFP for 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Programs interested in applying for this funding should review former applications and start gathering the necessary information now. ACT Now expects the release of a new RFP in the coming weeks. The ISBE Board also discussed its spring up legislative priorities, which include remote learning opportunities for students, educator misconduct, education equity, and cleaning up the school code. The Board will meet again on February 18, 2021. You can find the information from this Board meeting and future Board meetings here. You can also follow along on our Twitter feed during Board meetings for updates!

Criminal Justice Information Authority: Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Grantees Announced Publicly

On January 22, 2021, the Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) publicly announced the full list of nonprofits and community-based organizations (CBOs) that will receive the first round of funding from the Restore. Reinvest. Renew. (R3) Grant Program. Funding for this grant program comes from revenue from adult-use cannabis sales and totals $31.5 million. The program aims to support organizations working in communities most impacted by the failed war on drugs. Initiatives surround the principles of youth development, violence prevention, legal aid, and re-entry services. To access the press release and review the full list of grantees, click here.

ACT Now would like to congratulate our partner organizations that have received this historic first round of funding. We are here and ready to support your youth development initiatives with our free resources and services!

Restore, Reinvest, and Renew. Grant Program Board: January Board Meeting Overview

On January 21, 2021, the Restore, Reinvest and Renew. (R3) Grant Program Board met for its monthly meeting. The Board reviewed the R3 grant application process and highlighted all the work done in the last year to get to the point of approving grantees for the first round of R3 funding. The Illinois Criminal Justice Authority (ICJIA) then shared a list of 77 of the highest-scoring applicants for funding and recommendations for the R3 Board to consider with regard to three remaining applicants. ICJIA representatives stated that the ICJIA Board will meet to approve the list of 80 grantees on January 27, 2021. The organization will begin informing grantees on January 27, 2021, of their grant requirements and provide technical assistance throughout the grant cycle. Grantees will receive the full 12 months of funding that they have been awarded even if initiatives begin after the February 1, 2021 date. The Board then heard public comment on the issue of Latinx communities and community-based organizations (CBOs) being underrepresented in the grantee list. There were also questions as to how “equity” is defined, and whether the next round of funding should be limited to 70% or 80% of organizations’ asks in order to be able to fund more than the highest 80 applicants. Finally, the R3 Board stated that there is no timeline for the next round of R3 funding but that board members are working with ICJIA to assess the grant process, amend it to be more equitable, and provide a new Request for Proposals (RFP) as soon as possible. To access the R3 Board meeting materials, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Illinois Begins Phase 1B in COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

On January 22, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that Illinois will move into the early stages of Phase 1B of the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Plan beginning yesterday (January 25, 2021). While federal vaccine shipments to states remain limited, the state is aggressively building out provider capacity to ensure efficient distribution as soon as more vaccine becomes available. The Governor reminded the public that Phase 1B includes all residents over the age of 65 and frontline essential workers, including educators and child care providers. Illinois will begin vaccinating eligible residents by appointment only. To read the full press release, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: Transition Out of Tier 3 Mitigation Plan for Regions Outlined and COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Update

On January 15, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that following a decrease in COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalizations throughout Illinois, certain regions across the state are now eligible to move out of Tier 3 mitigations. This means that regions are allowed to resume moving out of the tiered resurgence mitigations (Tier 3, Tier 2, and Tier 1) and back into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan on a data-driven basis. Important adjustments in resurgence mitigations now include:

• Tier 1 of the resurgence mitigation plan allows restaurants and bars in a qualifying region to resume indoor dining with limited capacity
• Youth and recreational sports may also resume play following the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) All Sports Policy in all regions moving out of Tier 3

Finally, the Governor announced Phase 1A of the Illinois COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Plan is on track to be substantially completed this week, with the entire state moving to Phase 1B on Monday, January 25, 2021. Please note that Phase 1B now includes educators and child care workers. To read the full press release with information on tier designation based upon region, click here.

Chicago Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Public Health: First Case of U.K Variant of COVID-19 Confirmed in Illinois

On January 15, 2021, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed the first case in Illinois of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7, which was first identified in the United Kingdom. This was identified by the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine through sequencing analysis of a specimen from bio-banked samples of COVID-19 positive tests. Public health officials state that evidence suggests that the variant can spread more easily than most currently-circulating strains of COVID-19. However, there is no evidence that this new strain affects the sensitivity of COVID-19 tests or that it causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. In addition, data shows that the current vaccines will be effective and safe in providing protection against the variant. To read the full press release, click here.

Governor Pritzker’s Office: $40 Million Allocated for Increased Housing Opportunities for Vulnerable Residents

On January 15, 2021, Governor Pritzker announced that the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) was allocated just over $40 million to develop seven new and permanent housing communities across the state of Illinois. This initiative is called the Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program and aims to increase the community-based housing options available to vulnerable populations and those leaving institutional care. Specifically, the program seeks to support individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, persons with disabilities, veterans and residents who require supportive services to maintain stable housing. It also provides residents with support services such as case management, health services and referrals and employment resources. Proposed and approved locations for construction include:

• Housing Forward (Broadview)
• Sarah’s On Lakeside (Chicago)
• Homan Square PSH (Chicago)
• Conservatory Apartments (Chicago)
• Carrie Lane Supportive Housing (Decatur)
• Spring Valley Village (Moline)
• Impact Floral (Skokie)

To read the full press release, click here.

Illinois House of Representatives: New Speaker of the House Announced

On January 13, 2021, Illinois lawmakers voted to make Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch the first Black Speaker of the House in the state. Speaker Welch will lead the Democratic Party in the House after almost four decades of leadership from former Speaker Michael Madigan. However, Speaker Welch aims to unite both parties under common goals of promoting and attaining equity and providing support for working families and Illinois’ most vulnerable populations. Speaker Welch has also worked with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus on several bills. To read more about Speaker Welch, click here.

Illinois General Assembly: Criminal Justice Reform Bill Passed in Senate and House of Representatives

On January 13, 2021, the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) passed HB 3653, more commonly known as the Criminal Justice Reform Bill. This bill was authored by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and eliminates cash bail for individuals in the state (with exception of those charged with specific felonies or if the accused individual may present harm or flee). The bill also provides for new police accountability protocols, modernizes sentencing laws, and reviews law enforcement training standards. To read an article on the bill, click here. 

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority: Budget Committee Meeting and R3 Grant Program Update

On January 12, 2021, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) held its Budget Committee meeting to discuss the Restore. Reinvest. Renew. (R3) Grant Program and share information regarding potential grant awardees. The Budget Committee reviewed the application and selection process of the grant, heard recommendations from the R3 Board, and highlighted the performance requirements of grantees. Participating members also shared that ICJIA personnel are currently reviewing the preliminary budgets of each applicant and beginning technical assistance (TA) for awardees. Further TA will be provided to grantees in an ongoing manner. Finally, the Budget Committee released a preliminary document showing the zip codes of organizations that are to be awarded grants. To access this document, click here. The next R3 Board meeting will take place on January 21, 2021. *Please Note: This is not a formal announcement of grantees. ACT Now continues to track the progress of this grant program and will be participating in the upcoming R3 Board meeting.

Illinois General Assembly: Education Bill Passed in Senate and House of Representatives

On January 11, 2021, the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) passed HB 2170, an education bill that changes the requirements for high school graduation, beginning in 2024-2025, and places more students of color in advanced courses. High school students will have to complete two years of laboratory sciences, two years of a foreign language, and one year of computer literacy. Furthermore, the bill addresses the teacher shortage in the state, includes initiatives for increased educator diversity, improves access for Early Childhood Education, and calls for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to change its American History curriculum to include Black History. The legislation speaks to assessments and student and educator accountability and has language around Out-of-School Time (OST) providers and community-based organizations. To read more about this legislation, click here.

Chalkbeat Chicago Article: Chicago Public Schools Educators and Students Return to In-Person Instruction

Yesterday, on January 11, 2021, approximately 6,000 special education and Pre-K educators and students returned to school buildings across the City of Chicago. Chalkbeat reported that another 70,000 K-8 students have said they will return to in-person instruction on February 1, 2021. However, there still is no plan for high school students to return to school premises. To read the full article, click here. To read the CPS Reopening Plan, click here.

Governor Pritkzer’s Office: Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan Announced

On January 6, 2021, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) announced that building on guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Illinois will advance to Phase 1B of its vaccine plan. Governor Pritzker also announced that educators are to be next in line for COVID-19 vaccinations. Education workers, including teachers, support staff, and child care providers, are now included in group 1B (frontline essential workers) of the rollout. To read IDPH’s updated guidance, click here. IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike shared that the state of Illinois is also lowering the vaccine eligibility age to 65 years. Dr. Ezike added that “generally, Latinx and Black populations have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 with data showing related deaths at younger ages. We are hopeful that by lowering the eligibility age to 65 years we can help reduce this disparity.”

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: Educational One-Pager on COVID-19 Relief Released

On January 5, 2021, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation released an educational one-pager on COVID-19 relief. This document will help Illinois consumers be aware of the federal relief options and deadlines as they relate to evictions, mortgages, and student loans.

Upcoming Mortgage Deadlines:

• Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) forbearance must be requested by January 31, 2021.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loan forbearance has been extended until February 28, 2021.
• Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) foreclosure moratorium ends on January 31, 2021.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) foreclosure moratorium ends on February 28, 2021.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) foreclosure moratorium ends on February 28, 2021.

Upcoming Student Loan Deadlines:

• Relief has been extended until January 31, 2021. This includes interest being waived on all loans, collections on defaulted loans is halted, and loan payments are suspended.

To review the One-Pager, click here.

Illinois State Board of Education: Application for Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title IV, Part A Waiver for 2020-21 School Year Released

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to release an application for an Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) fiscal waiver for Title IV, Part A, among other Title programs, in spring 2020. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) received approval for this and other waivers at that time. These waivers were applicable only for the 2019-20 school year. ED has recently released an additional waiver specifically for Title IV, Part A during the 2020-21 school year in order to provide more flexibility for school districts.

Specifically, it allows a state to apply for a waiver of:

• Section 4106(d) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, related to Local Education Agency (LEA) needs assessments for the 2020-21 school year

• Section 4106(e)(2)(C), (D), and (E) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, with respect to content-area spending requirements for federal fiscal year 2020 Title IV, Part A funds
• Section 4109(b) of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA, with respect to the 15 percent spending limitation for technology infrastructure for FY 2020 Title IV, Part A funds

ISBE intends to apply for this waiver save Section 4106(d) as districts already completed the required needs assessment as part of its Consolidated District Plan for the 2020-21 school year. The state agency must collect public comment on its waiver application. To read the waiver, click here. Please submit any comments on the waiver application by January 18, 2021, via email at: essa@isbe.net.

Chalkbeat Article: Chicago Public Schools Reopens Schools Across the City of Chicago In Preparation of Returning Pre-K and Special Education Students

On October 16, 2020, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that all students in the district would begin the second quarter learning at home. However, CPS maintained that the school district would reopen in phases, prioritizing Pre-K students and special education youth enrolled in moderate and intensive cluster programs later on in the second quarter. This plan entailed five days a week of in-person learning for Pre-K and special education students. CPS noted that specific specialty schools may utilize a hybrid model in order to allow for social distancing and has limited class size to 15 students. There also continues to be a remote learning option for families that will not send their students back to school premises. To read the reopening plan and letter to CPS’ families, click here. 

Throughout the holidays and into the New Year, CPS educators, support staff, families, and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have protested the reopening plan citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding safety concerns of vulnerable student populations, their families, and school personnel. On January 3, 2021, more than 30 Chicago aldermen signed a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson, highlighting nine steps they want the district to take before students return to class. Steps include establishing a more robust and clear health criteria for reopening and improving technology for those who continue with remote learning. To read this letter, click here.

Yesterday on January 4, 2021, CPS reopened its school buildings across the City of Chicago in preparation for these returning student populations. CTU, which continues to oppose the district’s reopening plan, encouraged teachers who felt unsafe not to return to buildings. CTU provided teachers with a document stating their contractual right to a safe working environment to give to principals. Unfortunately, for teachers who were called back but choose not to return, the consequences could include disciplinary action or firing. To read more about the situation, click here.