325 ILCS 3/15-50

(325 ILCS 3/15-50)

Sec. 15-50. Early childhood construction grants.

(a) The Capital Development Board is authorized to make grants to public school districts and not-for-profit entities for early childhood construction projects, except that in Fiscal Year 2024 those grants may be made only to public school districts. These grants shall be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose from the School Construction Fund, the Build Illinois Bond Fund, or the Rebuild Illinois Projects Fund. No grants may be awarded to entities providing services within private residences. A public school district or other eligible entity must provide local matching funds in the following manner:

(1) A public school district assigned to Tier 1 under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code or any other eligible entity in an area encompassed by that district must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to 3% of the grant awarded under this Section.

(2) A public school district assigned to Tier 2 under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code or any other eligible entity in an area encompassed by that district must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to 7.5% of the grant awarded under this Section.

(3) A public school district assigned to Tier 3 under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code or any other eligible entity in an area encompassed by that district must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to 8.75% of the grant awarded under this Section.

(4) A public school district assigned to Tier 4 under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code or any other eligible entity in an area encompassed by that district must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to 10% of the grant awarded under this Section.

A public school district or other eligible entity has no entitlement to a grant under this Section.

(b) The Capital Development Board shall adopt rules to implement this Section. These rules need not be the same as the rules for school construction project grants or school maintenance project grants. The rules may specify:

(1) the manner of applying for grants;

(2) project eligibility requirements;

(3) restrictions on the use of grant moneys;

(4) the manner in which school districts and other eligible entities must account for the use of grant moneys;

(5) requirements that new or improved facilities be used for early childhood and other related programs for a period of at least 10 years; and

(6) any other provision that the Capital Development Board determines to be necessary or useful for the administration of this Section.

(b-5) When grants are made to non-profit corporations for the acquisition or construction of new facilities, the Capital Development Board or any State agency it so designates shall hold title to or place a lien on the facility for a period of 10 years after the date of the grant award, after which title to the facility shall be transferred to the non-profit corporation or the lien shall be removed, provided that the non-profit corporation has complied with the terms of its grant agreement. When grants are made to non-profit corporations for the purpose of renovation or rehabilitation, if the non-profit corporation does not comply with item (5) of subsection (b) of this Section, the Capital Development Board or any State agency it so designates shall recover the grant pursuant to the procedures outlined in the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act.

(c) On and after July 1, 2026, the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Department of Early Childhood, shall establish standards for the determination of priority needs concerning early childhood projects based on projects located in communities in the State with the greatest underserved population of young children, utilizing Census data and other reliable local early childhood service data.

(d) In each school year in which early childhood construction project grants are awarded, 20% of the total amount awarded shall be awarded to a school district with a population of more than 500,000, provided that the school district complies with the requirements of this Section and the rules adopted under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)