Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Creates the Special Education Workload Task Force to develop guidance on the calculation of workload limits for special educators. Sets forth the members. Provides for meetings and administrative support. Requires the Task Force to submit its guidance to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly on or before June 30, 2027. Dissolves the Task Force upon submission of the guidance. Repeals these provisions on June 30, 2028.

  RECENT STATUS

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

5/15/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 22, 2026

5/5/2026 - Senate Appropriations- Education

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.

  RECENT STATUS

5/27/2026 - Passed Both Houses

5/27/2026 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 113-000-000

5/27/2026 - THIRD READING Passed Third Reading in the House by 113-000-000.

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.

  RECENT STATUS

5/21/2026 - Passed Both Houses

5/21/2026 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 078-031-000

5/21/2026 - THIRD READING Passed Third Reading in the House by 078-031-000.

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.

  RECENT STATUS

5/21/2026 - Passed Both Houses

5/21/2026 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 083-025-000

5/21/2026 - Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. In a provision related to student discipline policies and the establishment of a parent-teacher advisory committee, defines "parent-teacher advisory committee" and requires teachers to be selected for a parent-teacher advisory committee in cooperation with the school district's teachers or, if applicable, the exclusive bargaining representative of the district's teachers. In a provision regarding the suspension or expulsion of a student, provides that gross disobedience or misconduct shall be defined by school board policy, in collaboration with the school district's parent-teacher advisory committee.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Makes a change to the definition of "parent-teacher advisory committee". Provides that policy review includes the impact of student behavior on students and school personnel. Provides that the criminal and civil offenses committed by students that are reported under the reciprocal reporting system between a school district and local law enforcement agencies includes attacks on school personnel. Removes the provision regarding the suspension or expulsion of a student.

  RECENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Passed Both Houses

5/22/2026 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 084-016-000

5/22/2026 - THIRD READING Passed Third Reading in the House by 084-016-000.

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.

  RECENT STATUS

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

5/31/2026 - Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) June 2, 2026

5/31/2026 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, with respect to any State statute or administrative rule that defines a general education classroom to be composed of a certain percentage of students with individualized education programs, such percentage shall exclude students with individualized education programs receiving only speech-language pathology services outside of the general education classroom for a mild speech disorder, provided that the instruction the students receive in the general education classroom does not require modification or accommodation (rather than providing that students with individualized education programs shall exclude students receiving only speech services outside of the general education classroom, provided that the instruction the students receive in the general education classroom does not require modification). Provides that such percentage shall include students with individualized education programs receiving only speech-language pathology services outside of the general education classroom for a moderate to severe speech disorder.

  RECENT STATUS

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

3/27/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026

3/13/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that, with respect to a week of unemployment beginning on or after June 1, 2026, benefits shall be payable to an individual on the basis of wages for employment in other than an instructional, research, or principal administrative capacity performed for an educational institution or an educational service agency, as long as the individual is otherwise eligible for benefits. Effective immediately.

  RECENT STATUS

2/3/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

2/3/2026 - FIRST READING

2/3/2026 - Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram Villivalam

Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act and the Public Community College Act. Provides that, by September 1, 2028 and every September 1 thereafter, the Board of Higher Education or the Illinois Community College Board, respectively, shall compile and make available to the public an annual report that contains the following information for public institutions of higher education: (1) the number of credit hours taught by full-time instructional faculty, organized by institution, tenure status, including tenure-line and nontenure-line, and discipline; and (2) the number of credit hours taught by part-time instructional faculty, organized by institution and discipline.

  RECENT STATUS

5/21/2026 - Passed Both Houses

5/21/2026 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 083-028-000

5/21/2026 - THIRD READING Passed Third Reading in the House by 083-028-000.

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).

  RECENT STATUS

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

3/27/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026

3/13/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026

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.

  RECENT STATUS

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

5/14/2026 - Senate Bills on Third Reading

5/13/2026 - Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 14, 2026

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a standardized Uniform Compliance Complaint Form to be used statewide and made available on the website of every regional office of education and intermediate service center. Provides that the Uniform Compliance Complaint Form shall allow a complainant to allege a school district's or school's violation of the Code or a rule over which the regional superintendent of schools or intermediate service center's executive director has oversight. Provides that upon receipt of a written and signed complaint using the form, the regional office of education or intermediate service center shall conduct an independent investigation. Requires the regional office of education or the intermediate service center to issue a written decision to the complainant within 60 calendar days after receipt of the complaint. Provides that if the regional office of education or intermediate service center finds a violation of the Code or a rule, the regional office of education or intermediate service center shall issue a report requiring the district to develop a corrective action plan. Provides that any district or school official who knowingly provides false information during the investigation or refuses to cooperate with the regional office of education or the intermediate service center in its investigation is subject to a hearing regarding the official's professional educator license status. Allows a party to a complaint to appeal the decision of the regional office of education or the intermediate service center to the State Superintendent of Education within 30 days after the issuance of the written decision. Requires the State Board to adopt rules as are necessary to implement the provisions.

  RECENT STATUS

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

3/27/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026

3/13/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. With regard to the suspension or revocation of a license, endorsement, or approval, provides that failure of the State Superintendent of Education to complete its investigation and issue formal discipline or otherwise dispose of the investigation within one year after the State Superintendent receives any written investigatory evidence relating to a particular license holder shall result in the investigation being deemed completed and the allegations against the license holder shall be determined to be unsubstantiated and dismissed with prejudice by the State Superintendent. Provides that formal documentation of an unsubstantiated determination shall state that no further action will be taken by the State Superintendent arising from the same facts or circumstances and shall be sent to the license holder within 45 business days after the unsubstantiated determination.

  RECENT STATUS

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

2/24/2026 - Assigned to Senate Education

2/6/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning the contribution required to establish service credit for certain service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, changes the amount of the interest payment required to establish that service credit from interest at the actuarially assumed rate to regular interest.

  RECENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Passed Both Houses

5/22/2026 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 096-000-000

5/22/2026 - THIRD READING Passed Third Reading in the House by 096-000-000.

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.

  RECENT STATUS

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

3/27/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026

3/13/2026 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026