English language acquisition: state formula grant program

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded the Illinois State Board of Education $31.837 million on July 1, 2026, under the English Language Acquisition State Grants program (CFDA 84.365) to support English learner and immigrant student instruction. The award runs through September 30, 2027, with place of performance in Springfield, Illinois.

The English Language Acquisition State Grants program distributes funds to states based on the number of immigrant and English learner students to improve their English proficiency and academic achievement across challenging state standards. ISBE, as the state educational agency, must expend at least 95 percent of its allotment through subgrants to local educational agencies and other eligible entities serving English learner and immigrant children and youth.

ISBE functions as a pass-through entity, distributing federal education formula grants to hundreds of local school districts, educational service centers, charter schools, and nonprofit organizations throughout Illinois. The State of Illinois, through its Office of the Governor, is the parent entity to ISBE. This award represents one of several substantial formula grants ISBE administers under the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, including Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies, Special Education Grants to States, and Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants.