The Illinois Early Learning Council shall include representation from both public and private organizations, and its membership shall reflect regional, racial, and cultural diversity to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois children.
One member shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives,
and other members appointed by the Governor. The Governor's appointments shall include without limitation the following:
(1) A leader of stature from the Governor's office, to serve as co-chairperson of the Council.
(2) The chief administrators of the following State agencies: State Board of Education; Department of Human Services; Department of Children and Family Services; Department of Public Health; Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Board of Higher Education; and Illinois Community College Board.
(3) Local government stakeholders and non-government stakeholders with an interest in early childhood care and education, including representation from the following private-sector fields and constituencies: early childhood education and development; child care; child advocacy; parenting support; local community collaborations among early care and education programs and services; maternal and child health; children with special needs; business; labor; and law enforcement. The Governor shall designate one of the members who is a nongovernment stakeholder to serve as co-chairperson.
In addition, the Governor shall request that the Region V office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families appoint a member to the Council to represent federal children's programs and services. |