Full-day kindergarten will be required by all Illinois school districts by the 2027-2028 school year under a new state law.  The goal is to get children off to a good start and help working parents struggling to find daycare for half a day, said Representative Harry Benton of Plainfield back in May.

Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood championed the legislation and said that it gives districts plenty of time to comply.  Districts really struggling to implement full-day kindergarten can apply for a waiver for two more years to get it done. The law also creates a task force to study the issue and requires schools to still offer the half-day option.