(105 ILCS 5/10-22.18) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.18)

Sec. 10-22.18. Kindergartens.

(a) To establish kindergartens for the
instruction of children between the
ages of 4 and 6 years and to pay the necessary expenses thereof out of the school funds of
the district. Until the 2027-2028 school year, upon petition of at
least 50 parents or guardians of children
between the ages of 4 and 6, residing within any school district and within
one mile of the public school where such kindergarten is proposed to be
established, the board of directors shall, if funds are available,
establish a kindergarten in connection with the public school designated in
the petition and maintain it as long as the annual average daily attendance
therein is not less than 15. Until the 2027-2028 school year, the board may establish a kindergarten with
half-day attendance or with full-day attendance; however, if the board establishes
full-day kindergarten, it shall also establish half-day kindergarten. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each school board must establish a kindergarten with full-day attendance and may establish a kindergarten with half-day attendance. Full-day and half-day kindergarten should be developmentally appropriate and provide opportunities for play-based learning.
No one shall be employed to teach in a kindergarten who does not hold a license
 as provided by law.

(b) An elementary or unit school district that does not offer full-day kindergarten as of October 1, 2022, may, by action of the State Board of Education, apply for an extension of the 2027-2028 school year implementation deadline for 2 additional years if one of the following criteria are met:

(1) the school district is funded below 76% of adequacy according to the Evidence-Based