SCH CD-NEW ARRIVAL GRANT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Fred Crespo

The bill creates a state grant program for school districts to support newly arriving immigrant students, funded annually by appropriations and awarded by ISBE.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Bill Summary: HB3102 – New Arrival Student Grant Program

Purpose and Intent

HB3102 would create a State Board of Education (ISBE) administered grant program to support the needs of students who are newly arriving immigrants, regardless of their immigration status. The program is intended to assist school districts in meeting the educational and related needs of these students. Funding for the grants would be contingent on specific state appropriations.

Key Provisions

New Program Created: Adds a new Section 2-3.206 to the School Code establishing the New Arrival Student Grant Program.

Definition: “New arrival student” means a student who is a newly arriving immigrant student, regardless of immigration status.

Administration and Funding: ISBE shall implement and administer the grant program, subject to appropriation. Grants are available to school districts (not to districts organized under Article 34 of the Code; i.e., charter districts are ineligible).

Application Process: Districts must apply to ISBE to receive a grant, following ISBE’s required timing, form, and accompanying information.

Annual Funding and Awards: ISBE shall annually disseminate a call for applications and distribute funds annually, contingent on appropriations.

Award Criteria: When awarding funds, ISBE may consider: 1) The number of new arrival students enrolled in preschool, elementary, and secondary levels within the district; 2) The needs of new arrival students in the district; 3) The district’s ability to meet the needs of new arrival students.

Who Would Be Affected

Eligible Recipients: Illinois school districts (excluding those organized under Article 34/charter districts) that receive ISBE grants for new arrival students.

Beneficiaries: Newly arriving immigrant students in participating districts (irrespective of immigration status).

Timing and Procedural Details

Effective Date: July 1, 2025.

Funding Cycle: Grants funded annually, with ISBE issuing an annual call for applications.

Status and Committees: The bill is in Rule 19(a) status and has been re-referred to Rules Committee. Earlier actions show assignment to Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education and prior readings/refers.

Additional Considerations

The bill does not specify permissible uses of grant funds beyond “to support the needs” of new arrival students; details would be governed by ISBE’s future program guidelines.

The program’s viability and reach depend on annual state appropriations; without funding, no grants would be distributed.