KINDERGARTEN-PLAY-BASED LEARN
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 status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Apr 10, 2026
Signed Jul 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
2 edits
·
Jul 10, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for signature by changing the definition of 'play-based learning' to include 'teacher-initiated play' alongside 'student-initiated play.' This change clarifies that intentional, teacher-directed activities are a valid form of play-based learning, ensuring schools can use structured lessons to meet educational goals while still adhering to the bill's philosophy. The rest of the text contains minor formatting adjustments and page number updates.
Scope change
The scope of the definition for 'play-based learning' was expanded to explicitly include teacher-initiated play.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'play-based learning' was updated to replace 'guided play' with 'teacher-initiated play,' clarifying that intentional, teacher-led activities aligned with learning goals count as play-based learning.
TECHNICAL
Minor formatting and spacing adjustments were made throughout the text, and page headers were updated to reflect the 'Enrolled' status.
Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2026 · House Apr 8, 2026
How they voted
44–13
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 58
May 20, 2026
D
Democratic39
97% Yea
R
Republican19
68% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
54
Key actions
11
Committee
14
Amendments
11
Jul 10, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Approved
lower
May 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Both Houses
lower
May 27, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 076-027-003
lower
May 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-003-000
lower
May 21, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Education Policy Committee
lower
May 21, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
lower
May 21, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Laura Faver Dias
lower
May 20, 2026
Introduced
Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1
lower
May 20, 2026
Introduced
Arrived in House
lower
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 045-013-000
upper
May 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Edly-Allen
upper
May 19, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education; 012-001-000
upper
May 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education
upper
May 12, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
upper
May 12, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Do Pass Education; 010-004-000
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Education
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 080-026-000
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 012-000-000
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver Dias
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Amended
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Introduced
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver Dias
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Education Policy Committee
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 4577
Scope: IL
Hi! I can help you understand HB 4577. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline