Amends the School Code. Allows a teacher to grieve the issuance of a warning regarding causes that are considered remediable pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreement to determine whether the school district had just cause in issuing the warning. Requires notice of remedial warnings to be narrowly specify the nature of the alleged misconduct that needs to be remedied. Provides that general allegations of unprofessional conduct are insufficient to link together otherwise unrelated offenses as related. Provides that under no circumstances shall a notice of remedial warning remain effective or within a teacher's personnel file or record for longer than 3 years from the date of the occurrence which gave rise to the issuance of the notice of remedial warning. Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Provides that nothing in the Section concerning the removal or dismissal of teachers in contractual continued service precludes a school board from asserting that the specific conduct alleged in an original notice of remedial warning letter is part of an alleged pattern of behavior, but the original warning or subsequent action taken must be reasonably related to the specific conduct alleged. Removes the language that provides that general allegations of unprofessional conduct or similar phrases are insufficient to link together otherwise unrelated offenses as related. Provides that under no circumstances may a notice of remedial warning remain effective for longer than 4 years from the date of the issuance of the notice of remedial warning (rather than remain effective or within a teacher's personnel file or record for longer than 3 years from the date of the occurrence which gave rise to the issuance of the notice of remedial warning). Requires the school district to use reasonable efforts to remove the notice of remedial warning from the teacher's personnel file after the 4 years have elapsed or sooner if agreed through the exclusive bargaining representative. Corrects grammatical and terminology errors.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following change: Provides that a notice of remedial warning may not include misconduct deemed irremediable or actions that are injurious to or endanger the health or person of students in the classroom or school. Corrects a grammatical error. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

12/1/2025 - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that each professional educator licensee shall complete a total of 60 (rather than 120) hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order to renew a license. Provides that any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course each fiscal year in addition to 50 (rather than 100) hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle. Provides that any licensee holding a current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards master teacher designation shall complete a total of 30 (rather than 60) hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order to renew a license. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/8/2026 - Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Rick Ryan

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Requires an International Baccalaureate teacher to obtain appropriate training, subject to appropriation. Provides that International Baccalaureate training to teachers in high schools must: (i) provide teachers of International Baccalaureate courses with the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success in International Baccalaureate courses and examination and other advanced course examinations and mastery of postsecondary course content; (ii) provide administrators with professional development that will enable them to create strong and effective International Baccalaureate programs in their schools; (iii) provide teachers at an authorized International Baccalaureate World School with training and other professional development that prepares students for success in International Baccalaureate courses; and (iv) support the implementation of an instructional program for students in grades 6 through 12 that provides an integrated set of instructional materials, diagnostic assessments, and teacher professional development in reading, writing, and mathematics that prepares all students for enrollment and success in International Baccalaureate courses. Provides that the AP exam fee reduction program also applies to fees charged for an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subject.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the General Assembly, State Employees, State Universities, Downstate Teachers, and Judges Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, beginning the first State fiscal year after the total assets of the System are at least 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System and each State fiscal year thereafter, the contribution to the System shall be calculated based on an actuarially determined contribution rate. Provides that the System shall calculate the actuarially determined contribution rate in accordance with the Governmental Accounting Research System and officially adopted actuarial assumptions. Provides that the System shall use this valuation to calculate the actuarially determined contribution rate for the next fiscal year. Provides that the actuarially determined contribution rate for a fiscal year shall not be less than the amount for the preceding fiscal year if the ratio of the System's total assets to the System's total liabilities is less than 90%. Provides that the actuarially determined contribution rate shall not be less than the normal cost for the fiscal year. Sets forth provisions concerning reporting and determining the actuarially determined contribution rate. Makes conforming changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/13/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Creates the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Act. Creates the Division of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Department of Labor. Requires the Division to establish and administer a paid family and medical leave insurance program that provides benefits to employees. Provides that the program shall be administered by the Deputy Director of the Division. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Provides that a self-employed individual may elect to be covered under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; compensation for leave; the amount and duration of benefits; payments for benefits under the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Fund; employer equivalent plans; annual reports by the Department; hearings; penalties; notice; the coordination of leave provided under the Act with leave allowed under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, a collective bargaining agreement, or any local county or municipal ordinance; rulemaking; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Fund. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts certain documents collected by the Division of Paid Family and Medical Leave from the Act's disclosure requirements. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning in-service training programs, provides that the instruction on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, as it pertains to the school environment, includes, without limitation, service animals.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/24/2026 - Effective Date January 1, 2027

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Changes the requirements for issuance of a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations as follows: Requires the applicant to be at least 18 years of age and using the Educator License with Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten through 8 until the individual reaches the age of 19 years or be 19 years of age or older and otherwise meet the criteria for a paraprofessional educator endorsement. Requires the applicant to also meet at least one of the following requirements: (i) hold a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and pass a paraprofessional competency test; (ii) hold an associate degree or a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or (iii) if applicable, have been issued a short-term approval for paraprofessionals and have been employed as a paraprofessional educator for each year the short-term approval is valid, have paid the required license renewal fee, and have been determined by the school district to have met specified competencies. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/24/2026 - Effective Date January 1, 2027

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the administration of asthma medication, epinephrine injectors, opioid antagonists, and oxygen, provides that "trained personnel" includes coaches and athletic trainers. Defines "coach" as a volunteer or employee of a school who is responsible for organizing and supervising students to teach or train them in the fundamental skills of an interscholastic athletic activity, and provides that "coach" refers to both a head coach and an assistant coach. Defines "athletic trainer" as a licensed athletic trainer hired by or contracted by a school district to aid a school in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, emergency care, and rehabilitation of injuries. Provides that a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may maintain a supply of asthma medication in a practice field or gym. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act are subject to appropriation or available grant funding.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/7/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve Stadelman

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires charter schools and contract schools to retain all payroll records and contribution information for a minimum of 5 years after the payroll records and contribution information are created. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/15/2026 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of "employee" does not include: (1) a student enrolled in and regularly attending classes in a college or university, who is employed for less than an average of 30 hours per week by an employer, and who is not a participant in an adult education and literacy program at that college or university; or (2) a student enrolled in and regularly attending high school classes, who is under 18 years of age, and who is employed on a temporary or less than full time basis.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Prohibits an evaluator from using an artificial intelligence tool to assign a numerical score or qualitative rating for any component of a teacher's evaluation or any evaluation task that requires professional judgment. However, allows an artificial intelligence tool to be used to support the evaluator in administrative tasks.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Provides that a teacher is prohibited from using an artificial intelligence tool to generate evidence of professional practice that will be used by an evaluator to evaluate the teacher's performance; however, an artificial intelligence tool may be used by a teacher to support the teacher in administrative tasks. Makes changes concerning the joint committee requirement. Provides that if a teacher uses an artificial intelligence tool, the name and specific purpose of the artificial intelligence tool must be disclosed to the evaluator evaluating the teacher.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/10/2026 - Effective Date January 1, 2027

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, if a school district and its teachers cannot reach agreement over the decision on whether to incorporate the use of data and indicators on student growth as a factor in rating teaching performance into a teacher evaluation plan and there is no collective bargaining agreement that includes or incorporates by reference the teacher evaluation plan, then the student growth component shall be removed from the teacher evaluation plan. Effective immediately.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. Provides that if the parties cannot reach agreement over the decision on whether to incorporate a student growth component into the teacher evaluation plan and there is no collective bargaining agreement that includes or incorporates by reference the use of a student growth component in the teacher evaluation plan (rather than that includes or incorporates by reference the teacher evaluation plan), then the student growth component shall be removed from the teacher evaluation plan. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/24/2026 - Effective Date July 24, 2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In a provision requiring a school board, before setting a hearing on charges stemming from causes that are considered remediable, to give a teacher reasonable warning, in writing, stating specifically the causes that, if not removed, may result in charges, requires the written warning to specify the nature of the alleged misconduct that needs to be remedied. Provides that nothing in the provisions precludes a board from asserting that the specific conduct alleged in the original warning is part of an alleged pattern of behavior, but any subsequent action must be reasonably related to the specific conduct alleged in the original warning. Allows the teacher to request and requires the teacher to be granted an opportunity to respond to the findings in the written warning, either in person or in writing before the board, prior to the board's formal vote to approve the warning. Provides that if the teacher is in disagreement with the final action of the board, the teacher may take the written warning to binding arbitration. Provides that the arbitrator shall have the power to render a decision on the written warning, which shall be final and binding on both parties. Provides that each party shall pay one-half of the cost of the arbitration proceedings and each party is entitled to representation of the party's choosing at all stages in this process. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/24/2026 - Effective Date July 24, 2026

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning in State fiscal year 2027, the State (instead of the Chicago Board of Education) shall contribute for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2059, a minimum contribution to the Fund in an amount determined by the Fund to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the Fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the Fund by the end of fiscal year 2059. Provides that, in making these determinations, the required contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of the applicable employee payrolls over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2059 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Amends the School Code to make a conforming change in provisions concerning evidence-based funding. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/14/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán

Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Authorizes an additional $700,000,000 of State Pension Obligation Acceleration Bonds. Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Employees, State Universities, and Downstate Teachers Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Extends the option for a participant to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment in lieu of any pension benefit or for a reduction in the increases to his or her annual retirement annuity and survivor's annuity to June 30, 2028 (instead of June 30, 2026). Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, through June 30, 2029 (instead of 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 120 paid days or 600 paid hours in each school year, but not more than 100 paid days in the same classroom. Makes a conforming change. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

6/2/2026 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Creates the Menstrual Health Workplace Equity Act. Provides that an employee who experiences a menstrual health condition may use up to 40 hours of paid leave per year that the employee is entitled to under the Paid Leave for All Workers Act for menstrual health reasons. Provides that, if the paid leave the employee is entitled to is insufficient to cover the employee's needs, the employee may request an additional 40 hours of paid menstrual leave per year or request a hybrid work option. Sets forth provisions concerning employer responsibilities and enforcement by the Department of Labor. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that short-term approval of a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations shall be given to an individual who meets the requirements in the Illinois Administrative Code. Provides that the short-term approval expires on June 30 immediately following 5 full fiscal years after the approval was given. Effective July 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

6/1/2026 - Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. John F. Curran

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. With respect to the 5 State-funded Retirement Systems: requires each System to prepare and implement a defined contribution plan by July 1, 2028 that aggregates State and employee contributions in individual participant accounts that are used for payouts after retirement. Provides that a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant may elect to participate in the defined contribution plan instead of the defined benefit plan and may also elect to terminate all participation in the defined benefit plan and to have a specified amount credited to his or her account under the defined contribution plan. Provides that, if a person who made the election to participate in the defined contribution plan terminates service and thereafter returns to service, he or she may either elect to participate in the defined contribution plan with regard to that service or not elect to participate in the defined contribution plan with regard to that service. Provides that an employee may elect not to participate in the System by notifying the System in writing in a manner specified by the System. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". In the State Employees, State Universities, and Downstate Teachers Articles, provides that a person who first becomes an employee after the effective date of the amendatory Act is not required to participate in the System as a condition of employment. Makes conforming and other changes. Makes related changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/24/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Neil Anderson

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code with respect to the removal or dismissal of teachers in contractual continued service. In provisions specifying that if a decision of a hearing officer for dismissal or of a school board for dismissal for cause is adjudicated upon review or appeal in favor of a teacher, then the trial court shall order reinstatement and shall remand the matter to the school board with direction for entry of an order setting the amount of back pay, lost benefits, and costs, less mitigation, provides that, post reinstatement, the mutually selected hearing officer shall maintain jurisdiction over the back pay so that the teacher may challenge and the hearing officer may potentially amend the school board's order setting the amount of back pay, lost benefits, interest, and costs, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees, less mitigation, through an expedited arbitration procedure, with the costs of the arbitrator borne by the school board (rather than providing that the teacher may challenge the school board's order setting the amount of back pay, lost benefits, and costs, less mitigation, through an expedited arbitration procedure, with the costs of the arbitrator borne by the school board).

  CURRENT STATUS

4/24/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows an institution of higher education approved to offer educator preparation programs to pursue accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Provides that an institution of higher education that receives and retains CAEP accreditation may forgo the State reauthorization process. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules for the reauthorization of a CAEP-accredited institution of higher education.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/15/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment in lieu of any pension benefit under which an eligible person may elect to receive an amount determined by the Fund to be equal to 60% of the present value of his or her pension benefits in lieu of receiving any pension benefit. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment for a reduction in annual retirement annuity and survivor's annuity increases, as applicable, under which a Tier 1 member may elect to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment equal to 70% of the difference of the present value of the automatic annual increases to a Tier 1 member's retirement annuity and survivor's annuity using the formula applicable to the Tier 1 member and the present value of the automatic annual increases to the Tier 1 member's retirement annuity using a specified formula and survivor's annuity using a specified formula. Provides that, upon receipt of a member's irrevocable election to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment, the Fund shall transfer the amount of the accelerated pension benefit payment into the member's eligible retirement plan or qualified account. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that employers under the Article may elect to establish a self-managed plan for members as an alternative to the traditional benefit package. Provides that an employee of an employer that establishes a self-managed plan shall be given the choice to elect which retirement program he or she wishes to participate in with respect to all periods of covered employment occurring on and after the effective date of the employee's election. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions, adoption of the self-managed plan by employers, selection of service providers, establishment of an initial account balance, employee and employer contributions, plan termination, vesting, and benefit amounts. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/4/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema

Amends the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, Chicago Firefighter, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), Chicago Municipal, and Chicago Laborers Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment in lieu of any pension benefit under which an eligible person may elect to receive an amount determined by the Fund to be equal to 60% of the present value of his or her pension benefits in lieu of receiving any pension benefit. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment for a reduction in annual retirement annuity and survivor's annuity increases, as applicable, under which a Tier 1 member may elect to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment equal to 70% of the difference of the present value of the automatic annual increases to a Tier 1 member's retirement annuity and survivor's annuity using the formula applicable to the Tier 1 member and the present value of the automatic annual increases to the Tier 1 member's retirement annuity using a specified formula and survivor's annuity using a specified formula. Amends the General Obligation Bond Act to authorize $700,000,000 to be sold to pay for the accelerated pension benefit payments. Provides that the Comptroller shall deduct the amount for the payment of principal and interest due on Local Pension Obligation Acceleration Bonds from any payment out of the Local Government Distributive Fund to the employer and shall pay the amount so deducted toward the principal and interest due on Local Pension Obligation Bonds. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/24/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Neil Anderson

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with continuing education coursework commenced on or after July 1, 2026, a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer may recognize graduate-level continuing education coursework for purposes of salary advancement or lane changes only if the continuing education coursework meets specified requirements. Provides that nothing in the provisions impairs the ability of the parties to a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate salary schedules or compensation structures, as long as any graduate-level continuing education coursework recognized for salary advancement or lane changes complies with those specified requirements. Allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Higher Education, to adopt rules as necessary to implement the provisions. Effective July 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In a provision regarding endorsements on Professional Educator Licenses, provides for a special education endorsement in the area of deaf-hard of hearing with sign proficiency.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/8/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Creates the Substitute Teacher Background Check Task Force to research and identify paths through legislation, rules, and communication processes to expedite the background check process and provide reciprocity concerning background checks for licensed substitute teachers in the State to teach in school districts across Regional Offices of Education jurisdictions without having to complete multiple background checks. Sets forth meeting requirements, membership, administrative support, and compensation. Requires the Task Force to submit its findings in a report on or before October 31, 2026 to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly. Dissolves the Task Force upon submission of its report. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, each school district shall determine a plan for responding to all incidents of battery committed by students against teachers and other school personnel, which shall include reporting and documentation procedures, student safety plans, behavioral intervention plans, and remedies for injured teachers and school personnel. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/24/2026 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments