Hirschauer Leads Early Childhood Bill, Secures Bicameral Support

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Former early childhood educator state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, has successfully passed a bicameral measure that aims to ease communication between the newly formed Department of Early Childhood and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), specifically for special education students aged 3 to 5 years old.

“As we move forward with the creation of our Department of Early Childhood and move services from their silos, we recognize that there are some early childhood services which cannot migrate over to the new department,” said Hirschauer. “Requiring the Secretary or their designee’s participation on this ISBE council ensures there is open communication between the new agency and ISBE to continue serving the needs of special education students.”

Senate Bill 1555 adds the Secretary of Early Childhood, or their designee, as a member of ISBE’s Advisory Council of Children with Disabilities to maintain critical services for younger special education students.

“This is a small, but effective way to recognize the needs of our early childhood special education students and families, and ultimately provide better services for those children,” said Hirschauer. “The first few years of schooling are highly impressionable for students’ success and this measure is integral to our promise that no child is left behind.”

Senate Bill 1555 was favorably passed out of the House chamber Friday after receiving unanimous Senate support last month. The bill awaits the governor’s signature for final consideration.