Select Bills Introduced in the Illinois General Assembly Pertaining to Education
Prepared by Bev Johns, March 10, 2023
House Bill 1003—Flowers.
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the Chicago Board of Education shall require the top 20% of the lowest performing schools in the school district, as determined by the Board, to employ a school nurse in conformance with certain provisions of the Code concerning school nurses. Effective Immediately. House Appropriations- Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 1004—Flowers.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the Chicago school district must include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on nursing. Requires the State Board of Education to prepare and make available to the school board resource materials that may be used as guidelines for the development of the nursing instruction. Effective Immediately. Second Reading Short debate.
House Bill 1095—Flowers.
Appropriates $26,000,000 to the State Board of Education for the purpose of providing a grant to City of Chicago School District 299 to employ individuals licensed as school nurses to proved health care-related services to students in the district and to eliminate any contracts with outside entities entered into to provide nurses for the district’s schools. Effective July 1, 2023. Houses Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 1099—Flowers.
Creates the Children’s Mental Health Local Collaborative Transformation Fund Act. Creates local children’s mental health collaboratives. Defines “local children’s mental health collaborative” as an entity formed by the agreement of representatives of the local system of care, including mental health services, social services, correctional services, education services, health services, and vocational services, for the purpose of developing and governing an integrated service system. Provides that, to qualify as a local children’s mental health collaborative and be eligible to receive start-up funds, the representatives of the local system of care and nongovernmental entities ( such as parents of children in the target population; parent and consumer organizations; community, civic, and religious organizations; private and nonprofit mental and physical health care providers; culturally specific organizations; local foundations; and business) or, at a minimum, one county, one school district or special education cooperative, one mental health entity, and one juvenile justice or juvenile corrections entity, must agree to the following: (1) to establish a local children’s mental health collaborative and develop an integrated service system; (2) to commit resources to providing services through the local children’s mental health collaborative; and (3) to develop a plan to contribute funds to the children’s mental health collaborative. Effective January 1, 2024. House Appropriations – Health and Human Services.
House Bill 1123—Costa Howard.
Amends the School Code. Requires school report cards prepared by the State Superintendent of Education to include the percentage of students with disabilities who have fulfilled the minimum State graduation requirements and have been issued a regular high school diploma and the percentage of students with disabilities who have fulfilled the minimum State graduation requirements but have not completed their individualized education program and are enrolled and receiving individualized education program services. House Second Reading Short debate.
House Bill 1124—Mussman.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the dyslexia handbook developed by the State Board of Education shall include guidelines on the administration of a universal screener and dyslexia screening, the interpretation of data from these screeners, and the resulting appropriate instruction within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth which students are required to be screened. Provides that no later than January 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders. Provides that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through 2 for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that if a student is determined to be either at risk or at some risk for dyslexia after the universal screener has been administered, the school district must administer a dyslexia screening of the student. Provides that if a student’s dyslexia screening indicates that the student has characteristics of dyslexia, the dyslexia intervention services provided to the student must utilize a structured literacy approach as outlined in the State Board of Education’s handbook. Makes other changes.
House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. In the definition of “universal screener”, changes references to “an assessment” to “a screener”. Provides that the “universal screener “shall screen for the risk factors of reading difficulties, including dyslexia (instead of the risk factors of dyslexia). Provides that students shall be screened if a student from another state enrolls for the first time in any of grades kindergarten through 2 in a school district in this State, provided that if a student’s score is below 3.0 on either the listening or the speaking portion of the ACCESS for ELLs assessment, the student may be exempt from a universal screener as determined by the school’s or school district’s English language learner team (instead of unless the student, the student’s parent, or the student’s guardian presents documentation that the student meets specified conditions). Adds provisions concerning secondary review of a student. In provisions concerning the student’s parent or guardian consent to screening, provides that the parent or guardian must be notified (rather than specified provisions concerning the nature of notification). Makes conforming changes. Second Reading House.
House Bill 1200—DeLuca.
Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the name of each federal holiday and State holiday designated on a unit of local government’s calendar must match the name of the federal holiday and State holiday as designated by the State. Defines “federal holiday” and “State holiday”. Limits home rule powers. Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning legal holidays, requires the name of each federal and State holiday as specified in that provision to be the name of the holiday that is designated on a school district’s calendar for the school term. Effective Immediately. House Executive Committee.
House Bill 1204—Traver II.
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Allows a child to be absent from a public school on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day to attend the ceremonial induction into office of the child’s parent or legal guardian as a newly elected government official. Provides that the student and parent or legal guardian are responsible for obtaining assignments from the student’s teacher prior to the period of excused absence and for ensuring that such assignments are completed by the student prior to the student’s return to school from that period of excused absence. House Second Reading Short Debate.
House Bill 1211—Buckner.
Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Provides that funds received by the Chicago school district for low-income, English learner, and special education resources must be distributed to every school of the district in the appropriate amount specified under the Essential Elements component of the funding formula. Effective July 1, 2023. House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 1214—Caulkins.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall establish and maintain a Temporary Teacher Apprenticeship Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring a Professional Educator License. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may establish and adopt any rules necessary to implement this program, including the standards that a qualified participant must meet to receive a Professional Educator License. Sets forth the requirements to complete the program. Provides that upon completing the requirements of the program, a qualified participant is eligible for a Professional Educator License. Makes related changes. Effective Immediately. Elem. And Sec. Ed. Committee, Administration, Licensing, Charter Schools.
House Bill 1215—Caulkins.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, any candidate who is considered either a former or active first responder or military personnel shall receive a refund for any costs associated with completing a test of content area knowledge. Provides that, subject to appropriation, any candidate who is considered either a former or active first responder or military personnel shall receive a refund for any costs associated with completing a teacher performance assessment. Provides that no former or active first responder or military personnel may be charged an application fee under specified provisions. Effective July 1, 2023. Occupational Licensing Subcommittee.
House Bill 1243—Carroll.
Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Requires each public school to provide a separate course of study on mental health that instructs students on how to recognize the signs of anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness. Provides that all students in grades kindergarten through 12 must take the course each school year, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Provides that the course length must be at least one semester or its equivalent but that the school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time required for the course. Requires the State Board of Education to prepare and make available to school boards resource materials on mental illness that must be used as guidelines for the development of the course. House Elementary School Curriculum and Policies.
House Bill 1273—Elik.
Amends the School Code. Provides that Constitution Day (September 17) shall also be a commemorative holiday. Effective July 1, 2023. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1291—Stuart.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that the annual incentive shall be $2,250 (instead of $1,500) and that 45 hours of mentoring shall be required (instead of 30). Provides that funds may also be used for professional development training provided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the National Board Resource Center. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1357—Costa Howard.
Amends the School Code. Each school year, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, requires a school board and charter school to collect data on student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students and on the reason for referring students to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students and submit that data annually to the State Board of Education. Requires the State Board to prepare a report (to be posted on the State Board’s website) on student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students in all school districts and charter schools in this State for each school year, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. Sets forth what the report must include. Provides that, before July 1 following the posting of a report, the State Board of Education shall identify those public schools and charter schools that are within the top 20% of schools with respect to the number of student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students and require each of the identified schools to submit a referral and arrest improvement plan identifying the strategies the school will implement to reduce the use of student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students. Provides for a progress report to be submitted. Effective Immediately. House Rules.
House Bill 1375—Traver II.
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Instead of requiring consumer education to be taught and studied, provides that beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2024-2025 school year, pupils in the public schools in grade 11 or 12 shall be taught and be required to complete a stand-alone, one-semester or equivalent course covering personal finance, which shall include, but is not limited to, instruction covering behavioral economics; banking and bill payment; investing; types of credit; managing credit; including credit scores; paying for college; insurance; taxes; budgeting; consumer skills; retirement planning, including tax-advantaged retirement plans; home ownership and financing; and personal transportation, including car ownership and leasing. Provides that the State Board of Education shall devise or approve the personal finance education standards for the course. Provides that the school board shall oversee implementation of the personal finance course for each high school student prior to graduation. Specifies the oversight duties of the school board. In provisions regarding required high school courses, provides that the personal finance education course may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements. Makes other changes. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1383—Stuart.
Amends the School Code. In provisions of the Children with Disabilities Article concerning a child who attends a non-public school or special education facility, a public out-of-state school, or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit, provides that the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board shall allow a nonprofit entity to use the same profit margin calculation that the Board allows in the for-profit tuition and room and board calculations and may not make any distinction in reimbursement level for nonpublic special education facilities based upon their federal income tax filing classification. In provisions of the Chicago School District Article concerning criminal history records checks, provides that a nonpublic special education facility with multiple campuses within this State and providing services under the Children with Disabilities Article shall maintain a separate, current record at a central administrative location, for inspection by representatives of the school district and the State Board of Education, for each staff member, whether employed full-time or part-time, who provides direct services or who is directly involved in the development and implementation of instructional services. Requires a nonpublic special education facility to send a monthly employee roster file electronically to the school district and the State Board of Education that details whether the facility’s employees have completed and passed the criminal history records check process. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1482—Ford.
Amends the School Code. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board of Education to establish and implement a statewide, online curricula program that allows public schools the option to access school curricula, coursework, course material, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools or materials required for the successful completion of a course of study through an online portal. Provides that the program may be used to support in-person instruction and remote and blended remote learning and to supplement course curricula or may be used as a stand-alone resource available to educators and students. Provides that the program shall be made accessible to schools and students through a platform available through the State Board. Allows a school board to adopt a policy for the use and implementation of this program. Provides for funding and rulemaking. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1561—Lilly.
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district may maintain an on-site trauma kit at each school of the district for bleeding emergencies. Defines “trauma kit”. Provides that products purchased for the on-site trauma kit shall be, wherever possible, products that are manufactured in the United States. Requires a school board to conduct in-service training for all school district employees on the methods to respond to trauma at least once every 2 years. Provides that a school board may satisfy the trauma response training requirements by using the training, including online training, available from the American College of Surgeons or any other similar organization. Provides that in all matters relating to trauma response training, school district employees are immune from civil liability in the use of a trauma kit unless the action constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. Effective immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1589—Friess.
Amends the School Code. Provides that a foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets specified requirements. Provides that the foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may teach a course on the foreign language for which the foreign language endorsement is issued. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor’s degree may substitute teach in foreign language classrooms. Effective July 1, 2023. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 1633—West and Didech.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Education Equity Committee shall include a member from an organization that works for economic, educational, and social progress for Native Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration, and innovation. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to convene a Native American Curriculum Advisory Council. Creates the Native American Curriculum Task Force. Provides that the unit of instruction on the Holocaust and genocides shall include instruction on the Native American genocide in North America. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of the Native American experience and Native American history within the Midwest and the State since time immemorial. Provides that the teaching of the history of the United States shall include the study of the role and contributions of Native Americans and teaching about Native Americans’ sovereignty and self-determination. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2156—Keicher.
Amends the School Code. Provides that student identification cards shall also provide contact information for the Safe2Help Illinois helpline. Effective July 1, 2023. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2168—Tarver.
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board of a school district with 275,000 students or more shall prohibit any school of the district that has selective admission requirements from requiring a student in a pre-kindergarten program of the district to take a standardized test in order to be admitted to that school. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2254—Avelar.
Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that for any person applying a pesticide that results in exposure to the pesticide by a human, the penalty shall be $2,500. Provides that an additional penalty of $1,000 shall be assessed for each individual human exposed to the pesticide. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2310—Guzzardi.
Amends the Early Childhood Workforce Act. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Standards Board (Board). Provides that Board members must be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Sets forth the Board’s membership. Provides that for State Fiscal Year 2025, and for each state fiscal year thereafter, the Board shall: (1) determine an hourly wage floor, and salaried equivalent, for workers in State-funded early childhood programs which the Board believes will serve to recruit and retain early childhood workers; and (2) determine minimum increments above the wage floor as may be necessary to retain workers in State-funded early childhood programs such as for years of experience or job title. Provides that subject to appropriation, beginning in State Fiscal Year 2025 the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer a program making grants to early childhood worker training programs that value experience, inclusion, equity, and racial justice; and center worker voices and needs such as mentorship, apprenticeships, and peer-led learning. Amends the School Code. Provides that in order to ensure the quality and continuity of services, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, all grant agreements shall require each child care center to (i) comply with the wage floor and compensation policies set forth in the Early Childhood Workforce Act, (ii) report quarterly up-to-date contact information for staff to the Department to allow the State Board of Education to communicate with the workers about their rights and supports available to them, (iii) supply the State Board of Education with current copies of its wage scales for classroom and support staff and other matters, and (iv) reconcile expenses quarterly and annually submit a year-end comprehensive financial report in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education. Imposes similar requirements on child care centers in a purchase of service contract with the Department of Human Services under its Child Care Assistance Program. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2384—Nichols.
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall (rather than may) employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain a (rather than the national and State recommended) student-counselor ratio of 250 to one. Provides that school districts shall require school counselors to meet with their assigned students at least once each month. Makes related changes. House Appropriations- Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 2392—Scherer.
Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. With respect to a school district’s teacher evaluation plan, provides that a teacher does not need to undergo the last evaluation cycle before the teacher retires if the teacher has notified the school district of the teacher’s intent to retire. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2396—Canty.
Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning kindergartens, provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school board must establish a kindergarten with full-day attendance (instead of allowing a school board to establish a kindergarten with half-day attendance or with full-day attendance); makes related changes. Repeals another Section concerning kindergartens on July 1, 2023. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2442—Guerrero-Cuellar.
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that subsequent endorsements may be granted to employees licensed under the Educator Licensure Article of the Code through entitlement by the school district for specific content areas and grade levels, and authorizes the school district to entitle educators for subsequent endorsements on Professional Educator Licenses issued to applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement or endorsements, including passing any required content area knowledge tests. Sets forth provisions concerning professional development sequences. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2469—Ortiz.
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a school board or local school council shall not prohibit the right of a student to wear or accessorize graduation attire with items associated with the student’s cultural or ethnic identity or any protected characteristic or category identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the items used to accessorize graduation attire may include, but are not limited to, flags, pins, or any other relevant item. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2486—Lilly.
Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. In provisions concerning postsecondary and career expectations, provides that, beginning in grade 6, students should be introduced to the importance of developing and applying a work ethic in a variety of contexts; sets forth what this introduction may include. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2724—Nichols.
Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that, when expelling a student, the board shall notify the parents of the nature of the hearing and the option of retaining legal counsel. Provides that, when the suspension period is over, the pupil may return to school. Provides that for a pupil suspended due to gross disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, a written decision about whether the student can use a school bus shall be made within 15 days of the incident. Provides that a school shall offer written demonstration of remediation efforts excluding out of school suspensions. Provides that schools shall use data to track whether significant disproportionality based on race and ethnicity is occurring both in the State and in the district with respect to the incidence, duration, and type of disciplinary removals from placement, including suspensions and expulsions. Provides that, if it is determined that significant disproportionality is occurring, the school shall provide that determination for annual review and, if appropriate, revision of the policies, practices, and procedures used in disciplinary removals to ensure that the policies, practices, and procedures comply with the district’s equity requirements. Provides that notice of suspension shall also include other evidence-based alternatives to suspension. Provides that when a student is suspended for more than 4 days, “appropriate and available support services” must include an option for automatically placing the student in an e-learning program or distance learning program through written materials if (1) the removal is for more than 5 consecutive school days; or (2) the child has been subjected to a series of removals that constitute a pattern, because the series of removals total more than 10 school days in a school year, because the child’s behavior is substantially similar to the child’s behavior in previous incidents that resulted in the series of removals, and because of the effects of additional factors such as the length of each removal, the total amount of time the child has been removed, and the proximity of the removals to one another. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2773—Flowers.
Amends the School Code. Provides that school districts shall teach students how to read using phonics. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2784—Hirschhauer.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that in fixing the salaries of employees, a school board or the governing board of a joint agreement shall pay to employees an hourly rate of not less than (i) $20 for the 2024-2025 school year, (ii) $21 for the 2025-2026 school year, and (iii) $22 for the 2026-2027 school year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each school year thereafter shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Provides that “employee” means any employee of a school district or joint agreement who provides educational support services to the district or joint agreement, including, but not limited to, custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, or paraprofessional educators. Provides that an employee’s salary shall include any amount paid by the school district or joint agreement on behalf of the employee, as employee contributions, to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 2792—Davis.
Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Provides that the Minimum Funding Level is equal to $550,000,000 (instead of $350,000,000). Provides for a continuing appropriation. Effective July 1, 2023. House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 2846—Vella.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Makes changes to the probationary periods pertaining to attaining contractual continued service. For the first probationary period, requires the teacher to be employed for 3 (rather than 4) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives overall annual evaluation ratings of at least “Proficient” in the second and third school terms (rather than overall annual evaluation ratings of at least “Proficient” in the last school term and at least “Proficient” in either the second or third school term). For the second probationary period, requires the teacher to serve for 2 (rather than 3) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives 2 (rather than 3) overall annual evaluations of “Excellent”. Effective July 1, 2023. House Rules.
House Bill 2865—Mayfield.
Amends the School Code. With respect to the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, removes language that provides that the State Board of Education may distribute an amount not to exceed 2% of the moneys appropriated for the Program for the purpose of providing teacher training and re-training in the teaching of reading. Provides that if the appropriation for the Program for a given fiscal year is less than $15,000,000, then the State Board shall limit eligibility to certain school districts and shall impose additional eligibility criteria to limit the number of approved applicants to a cohort sufficient for each selected district to provide adequate training and ongoing coaching support to each teacher of students in grades K through 2 and special education teachers and evidence-based curriculum investments. Removes language that provides that programs provided with grant funds shall not replace quality classroom reading instruction. Provides that Program funds may be used for grades K through 6 to provide both evidence-based, high-quality core literacy curriculum materials that consider the unique needs of English learners for concurrent oral language practice and high-quality screening assessments designed to inform instruction in English language arts and literacy for students (instead of classroom reading materials for students). Sets forth other provisions concerning if the appropriation is less than $15,000,000 or is at least $15,000,000. House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 2872—Mayfield.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, in consultation with education stakeholders, the State Board of Education shall develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for the State on or before October 1, 2023. Effective Immediately. House Rules.
House Bill 2873—Mayfield.
Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 150 (instead of 100) paid days or 750 (instead of 500) paid hours in each school year. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3086—Harper.
Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Increases various fees imposed under the Act beginning in 2024. Amends the Lawn Care Products Application and Notice Act. Provides that the lawn care containment permit fee is $250 (rather than $100). House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3147—Dias.
Creates the Literary and Justice for All Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt and make available to school districts a rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula and select and implement evidence-based, culturally inclusive core reading instruction programs, a template to develop literacy plans, and guidance on evidence-based practices. Requires the State Board to develop training opportunities in teaching reading and a comprehensive literacy plan for this State. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, the requirements to receive a Professional Educator License, taking a test in reading foundations for certain licensure, and the requirements for educators trained in other states or counties. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3157—Slava-Murray.
Amends the School Code. Provides that each school board shall provide LGBTQIA+ diversity training for educators who have not previously received training. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3224—LaPointe.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, as part of transition planning, a school district shall provide a student and the parent or guardian of the student (instead of just the student) with information about the district’s career and technical education opportunities. Provides that a student and the parent or guardian of the student shall be provided with information about dual credit courses offered by the school district. Provides that if the student is enrolled in a dual credit course for dual credit or for high school credit only, the student’s participation in the course shall be included as part of the student’s transition Individualized Education Program activities. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3230—LaPointe.
Creates the Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act. Requires the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, to use an independent third-party expert to conduct a cost analysis and determine actuarially sound costs associated with developing and maintaining a statewide initiative for the coordination and delivery of the continuum of behavioral health crisis response services in the State, including crisis call centers, mobile crisis response team services, crisis receiving and stabilization centers, and other acute behavioral health services. Contains provisions concerning recommendations on multiple sources of funding that could potentially be utilized to support a sustainable and comprehensive continuum of behavioral health crisis response services; a behavioral health crisis workforce; an action plan; a stakeholder working group to develop recommendations to coordinate programming and strategies to support a cohesive behavioral health crisis response system; and other matters. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3346—Chung.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop a grant program to support the educator licensure of paraprofessionals with bachelor’s degrees. Provides that the State Board shall distribute grants to qualified school districts. Provides that the school districts shall distribute funds to paraprofessionals. Sets forth requirements for school districts to qualify. Sets forth requirements for paraprofessionals to qualify. Sets forth requirements for the grant application, selection of paraprofessionals, restrictions of funds, priority to award grant assistance, program evaluation, and rulemaking. House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 3402—Chung.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, when hiring physical education, music, and visual arts educators, school districts must prioritize the hiring of educators who hold a teaching license and endorsement in those content areas. Provides that, if a school district is unable to hire a qualified candidate, the district may then hire a candidate who holds a valid professional educator license on a short-term basis. Provides that the professional educator license applicant must pass the content area test for which they are assigned to teach within one calendar year of the employment start date. Provides that, in order to retain employment for subsequent school years, the employee must complete 18 hours of course work in the content area in which they are teaching within 3 calendar years of their employment start date. Provides that in case of a reduction in force, districts may follow their local contract language for filling positions. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3425—Croke.
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions relating to bullying prevention and the definition of “policy on bullying”, provides that bullying shall also include bullying based off of physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy, parenting status, homelessness. Provides that a bullying prevention policy must include procedures for informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying within 24 hours after the school’s administration is made aware of the incident (instead of procedures for promptly informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying). Provides that the bullying prevention policy shall also requires all individual instances of bullying, as well as all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm to be reported to the parents or legal guardians of those involved under the guidelines provided. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop a template for a model bullying prevention policy. Provides that schools shall develop the bullying prevention policy for the school based on the model provided by the State Board of Education. Provides that school districts shall collect, maintain, and submit to the State Board of Education non-identifiable data regarding allegations and instances of bullying within the school district. Provides that upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of a child enrolled in a school district within the State, the State Board of Education must provide non-identifiable data of the number of bullying allegations and incidents in a given year at the school district to the requesting parent or legal guardian. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Makes other changes. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3428—Blair-Sherlock.
Amends the General Provisions Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school shall (instead of may) maintain a supply of an opioid antagonist in any secure location where an individual may have an opioid overdose. Makes a conforming change. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3442—Crespo.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning Substitute Teaching Licenses, provides that if there is no licensed teacher under contract because of an emergency situation, then a district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the district if the district notifies the appropriate regional office of education within 5 business days after the employment of the substitute teacher in that vacant position (instead of employment of the substitute teacher in the emergency situation). Provides that a district may continue to employ that same substitute teacher in that same vacant position for one or more additional 30 calendar day periods if, prior to the expiration of the then-current 30 calendar day period, the district files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education for a 30 calendar day extension on the basis that the position remains vacant and the district continues to actively seek qualified candidates. Provides that each extension request shall be deemed granted unless denied in writing by the regional office of education. Provides that an emergency situation is one in which a vacancy has occurred (instead of an unforeseen vacancy has occurred) and (i) a teacher is unexpectedly unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous indications or vacancies are unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates, and the district is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the vacant position (instead of (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous indications, and the district is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the vacant position). House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3446—Davis.
Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the school report card, provides that a school district’s expenditure of Base Funding Minimum and Evidence-Based Funding received from the State in the level of specificity required by the annual spending plans required by the Evidence-Based Funding provisions. In provisions concerning Evidence-Based funding, provides that Organizational Units shall also indicate in their submission of annual spending plans which stakeholder groups the Organizational Unit engaged with to inform annual spending plans. Provides that annual spending plans shall be integrated in annual school district budgets completed pursuant to specified provisions. House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 3559—Rohr.
Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that a school building’s emergency and crisis response plan, protocol, and procedures shall include a plan for local law enforcement to rapidly enter a school building in the event of an emergency. House Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 3561—Jimenez.
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that the board shall create an educator pipeline development program. Provides that the program shall seek to develop a licensed practical nurse seeking to become a health service nurse, a paraprofessional and related service personnel seeking to become a licensed teacher, or a multilingual staff employee seeking to become a licensed bilingual teacher. Provides that the program shall support up to 120 people per school year. Provides that the program shall partner with Chicago State University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the City Colleges of Chicago. Provides that of the pipeline program shall complete necessary collegiate course work to attain the member’s additional licensure. Provides that program members shall continue to work normally until required student teaching or clinical experiences are required. Provides that members of the program will work with cooperating instructors from the member’s affiliate institution toward the successful completion of the member’s required work experience. Provides that members of the program will have 3 years to complete the member’s coursework and required work experience. Provides that members of the program who successfully complete the member’s training will be placed, to the extent practicable, in the school where they completed the member’s required work experience. Provides that those members who were unable to be placed at the school where the member completed the work experience at shall be placed elsewhere in the school district. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education and the board shall split the costs of the program equally. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3570—Dias.
Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Educations shall analyze and assess teacher evaluation data from each school in the State. Provides that the State Board analysis and assessment shall include: (1) rating data for the last evaluation cycle and current evaluation cycle for all probationary teachers and teachers in continued contractual service broken down by race and ethnicity of teachers, and (2) rating data for the last evaluation cycle and current evaluation cycle for all probationary teachers and teachers in continued contractual service broken down by race, ethnicity, and free and reduced-price lunch status of the students in the school where the teacher works. Provides that each probationary teacher and each teacher in continued contractual service rated “needs improvement” or “unsatisfactory” shall be provided a peer mentor or coach to assist in improving their practice as educators. Provides for a continuing appropriation for the teacher mentoring programs established under Article 21A of the School Code. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3590—Weaver.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, by no later than June 30, 2024, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Insurance, and the Illinois Community College Board, shall establish a system providing liability insurance to cover (i) public high school students and community college students participating in a career development experience or apprenticeship program and (ii) public school teachers and community college faculty participating in an externship program. Provides that the liability insurance program shall be implemented by fiscal year 2025. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with those other agencies, may direct the program to cover specific occupational areas. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3600—Mussman.
Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Provides that if a student is sent home for a full or partial school day, subjected to an in-school suspension, told not to come to school for non-medical reasons, or for other reasons that are not valid causes for absence, including behaviors that do not rise to the level of gross disobedience or misconduct, removal from the educational environment must be documented and the student’s parent or guardian must be provided a notice in writing describing the action taken and the specific reason or reasons for the action. Provides that the written notice to the parents or guardian of a student with a disability provided must include a description of the school district’s responsibility to convene a meeting of the student’s IEP team or Section 504 plan team to review the student’s behavioral intervention plan or to develop such a plan, and the parent’s right to request such a meeting, if the cumulative number of days of removal of the student exceeds 10 in a school year. Provides that a school board shall authorize a superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant principal, or dean of students of any school to assign pupils guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct and send the pupil to in-school suspension, and no action shall lie against them for the in-school suspension. Provides that before assigning a pupil to in-school suspension, the charges shall be explained to the pupil and the pupil shall be given an opportunity to respond to the charges. Provides that pupils shall be given the opportunity to complete classroom work during the in-school suspension for equivalent academic credit. Provides that an in-school suspension program provided by a school district for any pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 may focus on promoting non-violent conflict resolution and positive interaction with other pupils and school personnel. Provides that a school district may employ a school social worker or a licensed mental health professional to oversee an in-school suspension program. Makes other changes. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3613—Mason.
Amends the General Provisions Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning medical prescriptions for schools, Provides that the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may maintain a supply of undesignated oxygen tanks in any secure location that is accessible before, during, and after school where a person with developmental disabilities person is most at risk, including, but not limited to, classrooms and lunchrooms. Provides that a physician, a physician assistant who has prescriptive authority in accordance with the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, or an advanced practice registered nurse who has prescriptive authority in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act may prescribe undesignated oxygen tanks in the name of the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school to be maintained for use when necessary. Provides that any supply of oxygen tanks shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and with the local fire department’s rules. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3640—Mason.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board shall use the State and federal programs, grants, and subsidies that are available to assist in paying for student teachers as appropriate funds are made available. House Appropriations-Elementary and Secondary Ed.
House Bill 3643—Syed.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that in the development of the individualized education program for a student who is 17 years of age or older, or will be during that academic year, the IEP team shall consider voter registration as an appropriate goal or competency to be included in the IEP plan, and, if appropriate, when and how voter registration shall be accomplished. Provides that any resulting decisions shall be included in the IEP plan. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3680—Benton and Blair-Sherlock.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that in the development of the individualized education program for a student, if the student needs extra accommodation during emergencies, including natural disasters or an active shooter situation, then that accommodation shall be taken into account when developing a student’s IEP plan. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3681—Benton and Blair-Sherlock.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to create an Equity for Autistic Students Commission to research, recommend, and review policies that affect autistic students to ensure fair access to resources, therapies, education, and equity with a focused lens on historically marginalized groups. Provides that the Commission shall review different therapies and practices used or recommended for autistic students and, with the help of experts appointed to the Commission, decide if those therapies and practices are still the best therapies and practices. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the State Board of Education and shall include experts in the field of autism in children and students. Provides that at least one member appointed to the Commission by the State Board of Education shall have autism. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides for meetings and reporting. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3690—Mussman.
Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning in-service training, provides that the training program shall cover professional educator licensees, educational support personnel, and non-licensed school personnel (instead of teachers) Provides that professional educator licensees, educational support personnel, and non-licensed school personnel who work with pupils must be trained in the following topics at least once every 5 years: prevalent health conditions of students, social-emotional learning practices and standards, developing cultural competency, identifying warning signs of mental illness, trauma, and suicidal behavior in youth, domestic and sexual violence and the needs of expectant and parenting youth, working with exceptional students, educator ethics, and child sexual abuse and grooming behavior. Sets forth requirements regarding the contents of the training, and resources available. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2024, all educators shall be required to complete the previously specified training at least once each 5-year renewal cycle. Amends various other Article of the School Code, the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act, the Care of Students with Diabetes Act, and the Seizure Smart School Act to make conforming changes. Makes other changes. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3713—Lilly.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require all school districts to undertake a ventilation verification assessment of all mechanical ventilation systems in the school district performed by a certified assessor or a mechanical engineer and shall be based on physical measurements made during the assessment. Provides that if an assessment is performed by a certified assessor, the assessment report shall be reviewed by a mechanical engineer. Provides that the ventilation verification assessment shall verify whether the existing mechanical ventilation system is operating in accordance with design parameters and meets the requirements of any applicable building codes. Provides that the ventilation verification assessment for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system shall follow specified standards. Provides that the verification assessment report from the mechanical engineer shall include appropriate corrective actions needed for the mechanical ventilation system or the heating, ventilation and air conditioning infrastructure, including installation of appropriate filters, installation of carbon dioxide sensors and additional maintenance, repairs, upgrades or replacement. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to make the appropriate corrective actions identified in the ventilation verification assessment. Sets forth requirements for corrective actions, standards, and verification of work. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3798—Stava-Murray.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all internships for school social workers must be paid internships. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts to assist in the funding of these paid internships. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program. Provides that higher priority shall be given to schools that demonstrate a shortage of school social workers, which is determined by the average ratio of school social workers to students in the target school district over the preceding 3 school years. Provides that the State Board of Education shall produce an annual report on the program. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to colleges and universities in this State to fund field placements for social workers. Provides that, subject to appropriation, colleges and universities shall annually disseminate a request for applications from students under the grant program. Provides that colleges and universities, upon receiving funding, shall provide applications to students eligible for this funding. Provides that a college or university shall give priority to applicants who are members of a racial minority. Provides that each college or university that receives funds shall provide an annual report to the Board of Higher Education, and the Board of Higher Education shall post those reports on the Board’s website. Effective Immediately. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3907—Stuart.
Amends the School Boards and Chicago School District Articles of the School Code. Provides that school boards shall allow all educators to have daily continuous uninterrupted individual classroom planning time. Provides that the planning period shall be equal to one class period but no less than 45 minutes in duration. Provides that this time requirement applies to educators who are in contact with students for 50% or more of their contracted workday. Provides that, during this planning period, educators may not be forced to substitute in other areas of the building or district when another educator is absent or a vacancy exists and may not be forced to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences of any kind. Provides that if an educator chooses to substitute or attend a meeting, training, or conference during their guaranteed planning period of their own free will, the educator shall be compensated at a rate of pay that is negotiated between the local Board of Education and local association of a state teacher association. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3909—Stuart.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a micro-credential for teachers to receive training in introductory and intermediate computer science. Provides that the micro-credential shall cover the best practices for teaching computer science to students, focusing on content mastery and teaching strategies. Provides that the State Board of education shall also establish a micro-credential for teachers to receive training for Advanced Placement classes in computer science after completing the introductory micro-credential. Provides that the State Board of Education shall make the micro-credential a primary endorsement area. House Second Reading, Short Debate.
House Bill 3911—Stuart.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the minimum salary of teachers, provides that the minimum salary shall be fixed at $42,500 for the 2029-2030 school year, $45,000 for the 2034-2035 school year, $47,500 for the 2039-2040 school year, and $50,000 for the 2044-2045 school year. Removes provisions that adjusts the minimum salary rate by a increase in percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. House Rules.
House Bill 3924—Rohr.
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that school districts shall provide instruction on the dangers of fentanyl Sets forth what the instruction of fentanyl shall contain. Provides that students shall be assessed on the fentanyl instruction. House Second Reading.
House Bill 3932—Rohr.
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding safety education, provides that allergen safety for students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 shall be included in the definition of “safety instruction”. Provides that the allergen safety instruction shall include instruction on recognizing signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis; steps to take to prevent exposure to allergens, and safe emergency epinephrine administration. House Second Reading.
SENATE BILLS
Senate Bill 1—Harmon.
Creates the Early Childhood Education Act. Contains only a short title provision. Senate Third Reading.
Senate Bill 90—Murphy.
Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district must create, implement, and maintain an age-appropriate policy on race-related harassment and discrimination. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the required policy on bullying shall also include age-appropriate information about the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment, the procedures for reporting harassment, and the protections and relief available under Illinois Human Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that harassment by an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative or the failure of an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education to take remedial action or appropriate disciplinary action against a student or an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative employed by the institution (if the institution knows that the student or representative committed or engaged in harassment) is a civil rights violation. Provides that each institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education shall establish, implement, and maintain a continuing race-related discrimination and harassment program. Sets forth requirements concerning policies and procedures, a model training program, and reporting. Makes other changes. Effective August 1, 2024. Senate Education.
Senate Bill 99—Fine.
Creates the Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act. Requires a public institution of higher education to adopt a policy that makes certain documentation submitted by an enrolled or admitted student sufficient to establish that the student is an individual with a disability. Requires the policy to be transparent and explicit regarding information about the process by which the public institution of higher education determines eligibility for accommodations for an individual with a disability. Provides that each public institution of higher education shall disseminate such information to students, parents, and faculty in accessible formats and make the information readily available on a public website of the institution. Allows a public institution of higher education to establish less burdensome criteria to establish whether an enrolled or admitted student is an individual with a disability. Requires a public institution of higher education to engage in an interactive process to establish a reasonable accommodation for an individual pursuant to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill but makes the following changes. Changes the name of the Act to the Removing Barriers to Higher Education Success Act. Makes changes concerning the types of documentation that can be provided to establish if a student has a disability. Senate Third Reading.
Senate Bill 183—Murphy.
Amends the School Code. Provides that school officials shall limit the number and duration of transfers to alternative schools in place of discipline. Requires a school district to create an Alternative School Bill of Rights by which a pupil who is offered a transfer to an alternative school in place of disciplinary action shall be provided with certain information by the appropriate administrator. Provides that the Alternative School Bill of Rights shall constitute a contract between the school board and the educational rights holder by requiring a signature from either a representative, assignee, or other designated member of the school board and the educational rights holder. Provides that in no event may a school board extend the duration of a pupil’s transfer to an alternative school in place of discipline without written notice to the educational rights holder and an opportunity to be meaningfully heard before the school board. Makes related changes. Effective Immediately. Senate Education.
Senate Bill 1233—Halpin.
Amends the School Code. Provides that a financial institution or investment provider, by entering into a written agreement, may offer or provide services to a plan established or maintained by a school district with an enrollment of at least 1,000 students under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 if the written agreement is not combined with any other written agreement for the administration of a school district’s 457 plan. Provides that each school district that provides a 457 plan shall make available to participants at least 4 financial institutions or investment providers that have not entered into a written agreement and that provide services to the school district’s 457 plan. Sets forth requirements for a financial institution or investment provider providing services for a 457 plan.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the provisions apply to school districts with a full-time, licensed teacher population of 525 teachers or more (instead of with an enrollment of at least 1,000 students). Provides that each school district that provides a 457 plan shall make available to participants a minimum of one financial institution or investment provider (instead of at least 4 financial institutions or investment providers). Provides that a school district shall have one year from the effective date of the amendatory Act to find a 457 plan provider. Makes conforming changes. Senate Second Hearing.
Senate Bill 1351—Lightford.
Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that in a teacher evaluation plan, teachers who are due to be evaluated the year they are set to retire shall be offered the opportunity to waive their evaluation and to retain their most recent rating, unless the teacher was last rated as “needs improvement” or “unsatisfactory”. Provides that the school district may still reserve the right to evaluate a retired teacher provided the district gives notice to the retired teacher at least 14 days before the evaluation and a reason for evaluating the retired teacher. Effective Immediately. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1352—Lightford.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the termination of contractual continued service by a teacher, provides that a resignation submitted after the completion of the school year must be submitted a minimum of 30 calendar days prior to the first student attendance day of the following school year. With respect to the referral of a teacher to the State Superintendent of Education for terminating service not in accordance with these provisions, provides that if a school district intends to submit a referral to the State Superintendent, the district shall submit the referral to the State Superintendent within 10 business days after the school board denies acceptance of the resignation. Provides that the district shall notify the teacher that it submitted the referral to the State Superintendent within 5 business days after submitting the referral to the State Superintendent. Provides that the teacher shall receive a summary of the State Superintendent’s evidentiary hearing no later than 14 days after the hearing is completed. Effective Immediately. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1400—Lightford.
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning student discipline policies, provides that the State Board of Education shall draft and publish model policy guidelines for the development of reciprocal reporting systems and school bus safety protocols and for evidence-based early intervention procedures. In provisions concerning the suspension or expulsion of students, makes changes concerning a student’s gross disobedience or misconduct posing an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or school personnel, when school exclusions should be used, the number and duration of expulsions and suspensions, the implementation of proactive evidence-based interventions that improve behavioral outcomes for all students, non-exclusionary discipline, out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less, model policy guidelines for the re-engagement of students, professional development, and the removal of children with disabilities who violate the student discipline policies from their current placement. Makes other changes. Effective Immediately. Postponed in Senate Education..
Senate Bill 1446—Hilton.
Amends the School Code. Provides that any residential facility that is on the approval list of another State agency or that contracts with another State agency shall be considered approved on the State Board of Education’s approved residential facility list.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2
Deletes reference to:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25o
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill but removes provisions concerning nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1468—Bennett and Chapin Rose.
Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that during the period between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026, an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 150 paid days or 750 paid hours in each school year. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026 (instead of July 1, 2023), an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 100 paid days or 500 paid hours in each school year. Effective Immediately. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1470—Bennett.
Amends the School Code. Allows a school district to utilize a remote learning day in lieu of an emergency day provided for in the school calendar or because a school was selected as a polling place. Provides that the number of remote learning days used in a school year may not exceed 5 days and the district superintendent must approve a remote learning plan for the district before the district may utilize a remote learning day. Sets forth what the plan must address, the term of approval, and how the plan must be posted. Sets forth district requirements. Allows statutory and regulatory curricular mandates and offerings to be administered via remote learning, allows for electronic communication for instruction and interaction between educators and students, and provides for rulemaking. Makes related changes. Effective July 1, 2023. Senate Third Reading.
Senate Bill 1488—Bennett.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, removes the provision that requires the teacher performance assessment to be approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Provides instead that each teacher preparation program in this State may use any evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness that aligns to current State teaching standards. Effective July 1, 2023. Senate Education.
Sente Bill 1569—Lightford.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that if an employing board determines to dismiss any teacher who currently holds a summative evaluation rating of “Proficient” or “Excellent” during the probationary period (instead of determines to dismiss a teacher in the last year of a specified probationary period), the employing board must provide a written notice for dismissal with specific reasons for dismissal. Provides that any full-time teacher who does not receive written notice from the employing board at least 45 days before the end of any school term and whose performance does not require dismissal (instead of whose performance does not require dismissal after the fourth probationary year) shall be re-employed for the following school term. Effective Immediately. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1685—Murphy.
Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Supporting Special Needs Students Law. Amends the School Code. When computing certain completion rates, requires the State Superintendent of Education to exclude students who: are at least 18 years of age as of September 1 of the school year as reported for the fall semester and have satisfied the credit requirements for high school graduation; have not completed their individualized education program; and are enrolled and receiving individualized education program services. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, in high school districts in counties with populations greater than 800,000 but less than 4,000,000 where there are 2 high schools individually serving grades 9 through 12 and where enrollment is less than 2,500 at any school, enrollment shall be balanced across high schools within the district equally, not to exceed a 15% enrollment difference when averaged over the previous 3 consecutive years. Postponed Senate Education.
Senate Bill 1709—Simmons.
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Resources shall partner with the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for the provision of mental health care during school days with the goal of increasing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources for students. Provides that the Department shall report to the General Assembly on the implementation of the technical assistance provision no later than July 1, 2025. Provides for rulemaking by the Department and the State Board of Education. Senate Third Reading.
Senate Bill 1772—Morrison.
Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that no person, other than a pesticide applicator under the direct supervision of a supervisory pesticide applicator, may apply a pesticide within any school building or on the grounds of any school. Exempts emergency application of a pesticide meeting specified requirements from the provisions. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1786—Koehler.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that any task force, study committee, blue ribbon panel, commission, or organization created or appointed by the State Board of Education or the State Superintendent of Education after the effective date of the amendatory Act, including one created by the State Board of Education or one mandated by the Governor or General Assembly, shall include representatives that reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of this State, including representatives of rural, suburban, and urban areas. Senate Third Reading.
Senate Bill 1787—Koehler.
Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support. Senate Third Reading.
Senate Bill 1872–
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Makes changes to the probationary periods pertaining to attaining contractual continued service. For the first probationary period, requires the teacher to be employed for 3 (rather than 4) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives overall annual evaluation ratings of at least “Proficient” in the second and third school terms (rather than overall annual evaluation ratings of at least “Proficient” in the last school term and at least “Proficient” in either the second or third school term). For the second probationary period, requires the teacher to serve for 2 (rather than 3) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives 2 (rather than 3) overall annual evaluations of “Excellent”. Effective July 1, 2023. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 1924—Halpin.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning service credit for accumulated unused sick leave, provides that if the employee was in the service of more than one employer or regional office of education (instead of more than one employer), then sick leave days from all such employers shall be credited. Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, all regional superintendents of schools shall receive the same salary regardless of the population of the region they serve. Provides that the salary for all regional superintendents shall be equal to the middle annual salary tier. Makes a change concerning the posting of information on the institute fund. Repeals a provision of the Code that prohibits regional superintendents from practicing or from holding themselves out as practicing any other profession. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective Immediately. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 2017—Holmes.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that teachers and educational support personnel employees shall not be required to teach or otherwise work on Saturdays (instead of providing that teachers shall not be required to teach on Saturdays). Prohibits teacher, educational support personnel employees, and other school employees (instead of teachers and other school employees) from being required to work on legal school holidays, with exceptions. Provides that no deduction shall be made from the time or compensation of a school employee, including an educational support personnel employee, on account of any legal or special holiday in which that employee would have otherwise been scheduled to work but for the legal or special holiday (instead of providing that no deduction shall be made from the time or compensation of a school employee on account of any legal or special holiday). Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 2031—Lightford.
Amends the School Code. Adds specified information concerning high schools that must be included in the school report cards prepared by the State Superintendent of Education. For the school district report cards prepared by the State Superintendent, provides that indicators from the school report card shall be aggregated at the course level, department level, and school level, and the course-level indicators shall be collected from each course. Senate Education.
Senate Bill 2039—Pacione-Zayas.
Amends the School Code. Provides that at least one designated employee in every public school shall ensure the opportunity to enroll in the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database is made available during annual individualized education program meetings. Senate Education.
Senate Bill 2132—Turner.
Amends the Pupils Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding compulsory school age, provides that a student absent from a school in which the student is regularly enrolled shall be considered as being in attendance if the reason for such absence is to participate in scheduled Future Farmers of America Organization and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions. Provides that the student and parent or legal guardian shall be responsible for obtaining assignments missed while the student was participating in such an activity from the student’s teacher. Postponed Senate Education.
Senate Bill 2218—Preston.
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that a school board’s sequence of honorable dismissal list shall include the race or ethnicity of a teacher if provided by the teacher. Effective January 1, 2024. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 2236—Cappel.
Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Removes the repeal date for the short-term substitute teacher training program. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning short-term substitute teacher licenses, removes the June 30, 2023 expiration date for issuing short-term substitute teacher licenses. Removes the licensing fees for short-term substitute teacher, substitute teaching, and professional teaching licenses. Senate Second Reading.
Senate Bill 2239—Cappell.
Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that, when expelling a student, the board shall notify the parents of the nature of the hearing and the option of retaining legal counsel. Provides that, when the suspension period is over, the pupil may return to school. Provides that for a pupil suspended due to gross disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, a written decision about whether the student can use a school bus shall be made within 15 days of the incident. Provides that a school shall offer written demonstration of remediation efforts excluding out of school suspensions. Provides that schools shall use data to track whether significant disproportionality based on race and ethnicity is occurring both in the State and in the district with respect to the incidence, duration, and type of disciplinary removals from placement, including suspensions and expulsions. Provides that, if it is determined that significant disproportionality is occurring, the school shall provide that determination for annual review and, if appropriate, revision of the policies, practices, and procedures used in disciplinary removals to ensure that the policies, practices, and procedures comply with the district’s equity requirements. Provides that notice of suspension shall also include other evidence-based alternatives to suspension. provides that when a student is suspended for more than 4 days, that options for automatically placing the student in an e-learning program or distance learning program through written materials if (1) the removal is for more than 5 consecutive school days; or (2) the child has been subjected to a series of removals that constitute a pattern, because the series of removals total more than 10 school days in a school year, because the child’s behavior is substantially similar to the child’s behavior in previous incidents that resulted in the series of removals, and the effects of additional factors such as the length of each removal, the total amount of time the child has been removed, and the proximity of the removals to one another shall be included. Postponed Senate Education.
Senate Bill 2348—Ventura.
Amends the School Code. Provides that all school districts shall provide instruction on relaxation activities such as yoga or meditation for at least one half-period of the school day to enhance both mental and physical health of students. Senate Education.
Senate Bill 2390—Pacione-Zayas.
Amends the School Code. Requires a non-public school to perform a check of the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database (in addition to the Statewide Sex Offender Database) of applicants and once every 5 years and persons employed by the school to determine whether the applicant has been adjudicated a sex offender, of a sex offense, or of a murder or other violent crime against youth. Extends the grants for preschool educational programs 2028-2029 school year (rather than the 2023-2024 school year). Provides that a school district may adopt a policy to waive tuition costs for a non-resident pupil if the pupil is a child of a district employee. Provides that, until June 30, 2028 (rather than June 30, 2023), applicants may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a 5-year Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Makes conforming changes. Modifies the Alternative Educator Licensure Program by removing the requirement for a second year of residency (changing to only if recommended by the principal and program coordinator). Provides that, if the residency period is to be less than 2-years in length, the partner school districts must provide assurances that the district will provide intensive mentoring and supports through at least the end of the second full year of teaching for educators who completed the Program in less than 2 years. Effective Immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment
Provides that the residency program for alternative educator licensure shall be comprised of 3 phases (instead of 4). Provides that in residency, the candidate must: be assigned an effective, fully licensed teacher by the principal or principal equivalent to act as a mentor and coach the candidate through residency. In provisions concerning the alternative educator endorsement, provides that the individual may complete a major in the content area of early childhood reading (instead of reading). Third Reading Senate.
Senate Bill 2391—Pacione-Zayas.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the provisions concerning community schools apply beginning with the 2024-2025 (rather than 2009-2010) school year. Makes changes to the legislative findings, including replacing a description of a community school. Provides that grants for community schools are subject to the availability of State or federal funding (rather than the availability of funding). Removes certain grant proposal provisions. Changes the requirements to qualify for a grant. Effective June 1, 2024. Senate Assignments.
Senate Bill 2396—Villivalam.
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to create a Committee on Mandate Review. Provides that the purpose of the committee is to complete a statewide review of State mandates on school districts. Sets forth the membership of the committee. Contains provisions concerning meetings, administrative support, and reporting. Repeals these provisions on December 31, 2025. Effective Immediately. Senate Assignments.