ECACE Advisory Committee

The ECACE statute established an Advisory Committee, outlined its membership structure, mandated quarterly meetings, and specified that these meetings must comply with the Open Meetings Act.

Open Meetings Act (OMA)

  • Meetings are held via video conference in accordance with Public Act 101-0640, with ICCB posting notices in advance to comply with the Open Meetings Act.
  • Meetings are recorded, and minutes are prepared. After being approved by the Advisory Committee, the minutes are made available to the public on the ECACE Consortium website (www.ecace.org). The agenda also includes specific time for public comment.

For more description of ECACE Advisory Committee, please visit:

https://www.ecace.org/About-the-Advisory.html

 

Advisory Committee Membership

The Act designates five state agencies as co-chairs of the Advisory Committee, emphasizing the significance of each agency’s role and their collaboration to ensure the consortium’s success.

 

Committee Appointments

The Act also highlights the importance of diverse perspectives within the Advisory Committee, with members representing various sectors, including school and community providers, advocates, state agencies, legislators, unions, and higher education.

For the list of Advisory Committee members, please visit: https://www.ecace.org/Advisory_Committee-Members.html

 

Advisory Committee Legislation (110 ILCS 28/25)

In 2024, an amendment to the Act was passed, updating the Advisory Committee’s meeting frequency per fiscal year, establishing appointment terms, and reinforcing the committee’s role in providing guidance.

Sec. 25. Advisory committee meetings and membership appointments

  • The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year. The committee meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.
  • Except for the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee, the initial terms for advisory committee members after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly shall be set by lottery at the first meeting after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly as follows:

-One-third of members shall serve a 1-year term.

-One-third of members shall serve a 2-year term.

-One-third of members shall serve a 3-year term.

  • The initial term of co-chairpersons of the advisory committee shall be for 3 years.
  • After the initial term, each subsequent term for the members of the advisory committee shall be for 3 years or until a successor is appointed.

Advisement

Section 90-40 of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act is amended by changing Sections 25 and 35 as follows:

(110 ILCS 28/25) Sec. 25. Advisory committee; membership

  • ECACE partner agencies “…will jointly convene a Consortium advisory committee to provide guidance on the operation of the Consortium.” (Advisory members provide guidance on Consortium work)
  • ECACE Advisory committee “…shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.” (Advisory meetings subject to OMA)

(110 ILCS 28/35) Sec. 35. Goals and metrics

  • ECACE partner agencies “…in consultation with the advisory committee, shall adjust the initial target metrics appropriately by adopting challenging goals that may be attainable with less public investment.” (Advisory members provide feedback on ECACE student funding)
  • ECACE partner agencies “…in consultation with the advisory committee, shall determine new metrics and goals for the Consortium as they relate to the remaining and future early childhood workforce, to be instituted after the close of the 2024-2025 academic year and going forward.” (Advisory members provide feedback on ECACE metrics and goals)
  • Teacher Training and Professional Development