Illinois 104th General Assembly Status: To Executive 3 D cosponsors

HB4577      — KINDERGARTEN-PLAY-BASED LEARN

Last action — Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0555

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 23, 2026. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 7 sponsors

    1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 8 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill modifies the definition of play-based learning in kindergartens.

This bill amends the School Code to define play-based learning in kindergartens. It distinguishes between guided play, led by teachers, and student-initiated play, chosen by children within a curated environment.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means parents can expect kindergartens to focus on both guided and child-driven play that supports learning.

Summary

Amends the School Code regarding the establishment of kindergartens. With respect to a provision stating that kindergarten should provide opportunities for play-based learning, defines: (1) "play-based learning" as either guided play or student-initiated play; (2) "guided play" as intentional teacher-directed play with activities set up and led by a teacher that are aligned to learning goals or standards; and (3) "student-initiated play" as child-selected opportunities to build, pretend, create, move, or explore in an environment intentionally curated by a teacher to align with learning goals or standards.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HB4577 on the official Illinois source →

Action History

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0555

  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

  3. Governor Approved

  4. Sent to the Governor

  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick

  8. Passed Both Houses

  9. House Concurs

  10. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 076-027-003

  11. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-003-000

  12. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Education Policy Committee

  13. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee

  14. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Laura Faver Dias

  15. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

  16. Arrived in House

  17. Third Reading - Passed; 045-013-000

  18. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading

  19. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Edly-Allen

  20. Recalled to Second Reading

  21. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education; 012-001-000

  22. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 19, 2026

  23. Second Reading

  24. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education

  25. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

  26. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

  27. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

  28. Do Pass Education; 010-004-000

  29. Postponed - Education

  30. Assigned to Education

  31. Referred to Assignments

  32. First Reading

  33. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

  34. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

  35. Arrive in Senate

  36. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 080-026-000

  37. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr

  38. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II

  39. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

  40. Second Reading - Short Debate

  41. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted

  42. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 012-000-000

  43. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee

  44. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee

  45. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver Dias

  46. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

  47. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled

  48. Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000

  49. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

  50. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver Dias

  51. Assigned to Education Policy Committee

  52. Referred to Rules Committee

  53. First Reading

  54. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver Dias

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 176 not signed on · 43 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (6)

Not signed on (176)

176 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 176 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Concurrence

Passed 76 Yea · 27 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 72003
Republican 226011
Unaffiliated 1101
Total 7527015
% of votes cast 64%23%0%13%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Jacobs — Nay
Johnson — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — Not Voting
Aarón M. Ortíz Democrat Yea
Abdelnasser Rashid Democrat Yea
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Democrat Yea
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Anna Moeller Democrat Yea
Anne Stava Democrat Yea
Anthony DeLuca Democrat Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Yea
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Debbie Meyers-Martin Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Edgar González, Jr. Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Harry Benton Democrat Yea
Hoan Huynh Democrat Yea
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Jawaharial Williams Democrat Yea
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jehan Gordon-Booth Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Justin Cochran Democrat Yea
Justin Slaughter Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Kelly M. Cassidy Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
Kimberly Du Buclet Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Not Voting
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Lindsey LaPointe Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Margaret A. DeLaRosa Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Martha Deuter Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Matt Hanson Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Michael J. Kelly Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Nabeela Syed Democrat Yea
Natalie A. Manley Democrat Yea
Nicholas K. Smith Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Norma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Yea
Rita Mayfield Democrat Yea
Robert "Bob" Rita Democrat Yea
Robyn Gabel Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Yea
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Stephanie A. Kifowit Democrat Yea
Sue Scherer Democrat Yea
Suzanne M. Ness Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl Democrat Yea
Will Guzzardi Democrat Yea
William "Will" Davis Democrat Yea
Yolonda Morris Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Amy L. Grant Republican Not Voting
Blaine Wilhour Republican Not Voting
Brad Halbrook Republican Nay
Brad Stephens Republican Not Voting
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Brandun Schweizer Republican Not Voting
Charles Meier Republican Nay
Chris Miller Republican Nay
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
Dave Severin Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Dennis Tipsword Republican Nay
Jackie Haas Republican Not Voting
Jason R. Bunting Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Jeff Keicher Republican Not Voting
Jennifer Sanalitro Republican Yea
Joe C. Sosnowski Republican Nay
John M. Cabello Republican Nay
Kevin Schmidt Republican Yea
Kyle Moore Republican Not Voting
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Nicole La Ha Republican Nay
Norine K. Hammond Republican Not Voting
Patrick Sheehan Republican Not Voting
Patrick Windhorst Republican Nay
Regan Deering Republican Nay
Ryan Spain Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay
Tony M. McCombie Republican Not Voting
Travis Weaver Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Not Voting
William E Hauter Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Education Policy

Passed 9 Yea · 3 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9000
Republican 0301
Total 9301
% of votes cast 69%23%0%8%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Gregg Johnson Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Third Reading

Passed 45 Yea · 13 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 37001
Republican 61300
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 441301
% of votes cast 76%22%0%2%
How each member voted (58)
Member Party Vote
Johnson — Yea
Bill Cunningham Democrat Yea
Celina Villanueva Democrat Yea
Christopher Belt Democrat Yea
Cristina Castro Democrat Yea
David Koehler Democrat Yea
Doris Turner Democrat Yea
Elgie R. Sims, Jr. Democrat Yea
Graciela Guzmán Democrat Yea
Javier L. Cervantes Democrat Yea
Julie A. Morrison Democrat Yea
Karina Villa Democrat Yea
Kimberly A. Lightford Democrat Yea
Lakesia Collins Democrat Yea
Laura Ellman Democrat Yea
Laura Fine Democrat Yea
Laura M. Murphy Democrat Yea
Linda Holmes Democrat Yea
Mark L. Walker Democrat Yea
Mary Edly-Allen Democrat Yea
Mattie Hunter Democrat Yea
Meg Loughran Cappel Democrat Yea
Michael E. Hastings Democrat Yea
Michael W. Halpin Democrat Yea
Mike Porfirio Democrat Yea
Mike Simmons Democrat Yea
Napoleon Harris III Democrat Not Voting
Omar Aquino Democrat Yea
Patrick J. Joyce Democrat Yea
Paul Faraci Democrat Yea
Rachel Ventura Democrat Yea
Ram Villivalam Democrat Yea
Robert F. Martwick Democrat Yea
Robert Peters Democrat Yea
Sara Feigenholtz Democrat Yea
Steve Stadelman Democrat Yea
Suzy Glowiak Hilton Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Willie Preston Democrat Yea
Andrew S. Chesney Republican Nay
Chapin Rose Republican Nay
Chris Balkema Republican Nay
Craig Wilcox Republican Nay
Dale Fowler Republican Yea
Darby A. Hills Republican Yea
Dave Syverson Republican Nay
Donald P. DeWitte Republican Yea
Erica Harriss Republican Yea
Jason Plummer Republican Nay
Jil Tracy Republican Nay
John F. Curran Republican Yea
Li Arellano, Jr. Republican Nay
Neil Anderson Republican Nay
Sally J. Turner Republican Nay
Seth Lewis Republican Nay
Steve McClure Republican Nay
Sue Rezin Republican Yea
Terri Bryant Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Education

Passed 12 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 3101
Democrat 9001
Total 12102
% of votes cast 80%7%0%13%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Adriane L. Johnson Democrat Yea
Christopher Belt Democrat Yea
Doris Turner Democrat Yea
Kimberly A. Lightford Democrat Yea
Laura Ellman Democrat Not Voting
Mary Edly-Allen Democrat Yea
Meg Loughran Cappel Democrat Yea
Mike Porfirio Democrat Yea
Ram Villivalam Democrat Yea
Willie Preston Democrat Yea
Chapin Rose Republican Not Voting
Chris Balkema Republican Yea
Craig Wilcox Republican Nay
Dale Fowler Republican Yea
Donald P. DeWitte Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Education

Passed 10 Yea · 4 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 0401
Democrat 10000
Total 10401
% of votes cast 67%27%0%7%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Adriane L. Johnson Democrat Yea
Christopher Belt Democrat Yea
Doris Turner Democrat Yea
Karina Villa Democrat Yea
Kimberly A. Lightford Democrat Yea
Mary Edly-Allen Democrat Yea
Meg Loughran Cappel Democrat Yea
Mike Porfirio Democrat Yea
Ram Villivalam Democrat Yea
Willie Preston Democrat Yea
Chapin Rose Republican Nay
Chris Balkema Republican Nay
Craig Wilcox Republican Nay
Dale Fowler Republican Nay
Donald P. DeWitte Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Third Reading

Passed 80 Yea · 26 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1101
Democrat 71004
Republican 72507
Total 7926012
% of votes cast 68%22%0%10%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Jacobs — Nay
Johnson — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — Not Voting
Aarón M. Ortíz Democrat Yea
Abdelnasser Rashid Democrat Yea
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Democrat Yea
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Anna Moeller Democrat Yea
Anne Stava Democrat Yea
Anthony DeLuca Democrat Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Yea
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Debbie Meyers-Martin Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Edgar González, Jr. Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Not Voting
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Harry Benton Democrat Yea
Hoan Huynh Democrat Not Voting
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Jawaharial Williams Democrat Yea
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jehan Gordon-Booth Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Justin Cochran Democrat Yea
Justin Slaughter Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Kelly M. Cassidy Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
Kimberly Du Buclet Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Lindsey LaPointe Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Margaret A. DeLaRosa Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Martha Deuter Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Matt Hanson Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Michael J. Kelly Democrat Not Voting
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Nabeela Syed Democrat Yea
Natalie A. Manley Democrat Yea
Nicholas K. Smith Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Norma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Yea
Rita Mayfield Democrat Yea
Robert "Bob" Rita Democrat Yea
Robyn Gabel Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Yea
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Stephanie A. Kifowit Democrat Yea
Sue Scherer Democrat Yea
Suzanne M. Ness Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl Democrat Yea
Will Guzzardi Democrat Yea
William "Will" Davis Democrat Yea
Yolonda Morris Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Amy L. Grant Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Brad Halbrook Republican Nay
Brad Stephens Republican Not Voting
Bradley Fritts Republican Yea
Brandun Schweizer Republican Not Voting
Charles Meier Republican Nay
Chris Miller Republican Nay
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer Republican Not Voting
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
Dave Severin Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Dennis Tipsword Republican Nay
Jackie Haas Republican Yea
Jason R. Bunting Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Jeff Keicher Republican Yea
Jennifer Sanalitro Republican Yea
Joe C. Sosnowski Republican Nay
John M. Cabello Republican Nay
Kevin Schmidt Republican Yea
Kyle Moore Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Nicole La Ha Republican Not Voting
Norine K. Hammond Republican Not Voting
Patrick Sheehan Republican Not Voting
Patrick Windhorst Republican Yea
Regan Deering Republican Nay
Ryan Spain Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay
Tony M. McCombie Republican Yea
Travis Weaver Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Not Voting
William E Hauter Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Education Policy

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9000
Republican 3001
Total 12001
% of votes cast 92%0%0%8%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Gregg Johnson Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Yea
Amy Elik Republican Yea
Blaine Wilhour Republican Not Voting
Dan Swanson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Education Policy

Passed 9 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9000
Republican 0400
Total 9400
% of votes cast 69%31%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Gregg Johnson Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB4577      do?
Amends the School Code regarding the establishment of kindergartens. With respect to a provision stating that kindergarten should provide opportunities for play-based learning, defines: (1) "play-based learning" as either guided play or student-initiated play; (2) "guided play" as intentional teacher-directed play with activities set up and led by a teacher that are aligned to learning goals or standards; and (3) "student-initiated play" as child-selected opportunities to build, pretend, create, move, or explore in an environment intentionally curated by a teacher to align with learning goals or standards.
Who sponsors HB4577     ?
HB4577      is sponsored by Mary Edly-Allen, Robert F. Martwick, Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Mattie Hunter, Laura Faver Dias (Democrat), Maurice A. West, II (Democrat), and Janet Yang Rohr (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB4577     ?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 23, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track HB4577     ?
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