Creates the Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act. Contains legislative findings. Provides that the State Board of Education, in coordination with the Department of Revenue, shall establish and approve a list of scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of Section 70411 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to facilitate opting the State of Illinois into the school choice tax credit provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/10/2026 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste

Amends the School Code. Provides that the General Assembly voluntarily elects the State to: (1) participate in the federal tax credit established under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act for individuals who make qualified contributions to scholarship granting organizations; and (2) identify scholarship granting organizations located in this State. Authorizes and empowers the State Board of Education to certify and submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in accordance with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its associated regulations. Provides that by January 1, 2027 and by every January 1 thereafter, the State Board shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and publish on the State Board's Internet website a list of scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and are located in this State. Allows the State Board to establish rules governing the process and documentation necessary for an entity to qualify to be included as a scholarship granting organization on the list.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/29/2026 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning mental health screenings, removes the requirement that the State Board of Education report its work and make available resource materials, including model procedures and guidance informed by a phased approach to implementing universal mental health screening in schools, on or before September 1, 2026. Also removes the requirement that school districts offer, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, mental health screenings to students in grade 3 through grade 12. Effective January 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

10/15/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Creates the Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act. Contains legislative findings. Provides that the State Board of Education, in coordination with the Department of Revenue, shall establish and approve a list of scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of Section 70411 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to facilitate opting the State of Illinois into the school choice tax credit provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Provides that the list shall be published on the State Board of Education's Internet website. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/21/2026 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tom Weber

Amends the School Code. Provides that the General Assembly voluntarily elects the State to: (1) participate in the federal tax credit established under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act for individuals who make qualified contributions to scholarship granting organizations; and (2) identify scholarship granting organizations located in this State. Authorizes and empowers the State Board of Education to certify and submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in accordance with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its associated regulations. Provides that by January 1, 2027 and by every January 1 thereafter, the State Board shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and publish on the State Board's Internet website a list of all scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and are located in this State.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/10/2026 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall adopt rules setting forth standardized reporting protocols for election data. Provides that, no later than July 1, 2027, the State Board of Elections shall publish guidelines for compliance with standardization conventions for data fields related to election districts, precincts, polling places, and other election data. Provides for periodic audits of the election data subject to the standardized reporting protocols. Provides that, beginning with the 2028 general primary election, no less than 75 days before each election, every election authority shall ensure that all data reported by the election authority conforms to the data standardization requirements adopted by the Board.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/21/2026 - House Ethics & Elections

Amends the Election Code. Provides that no later than December 31 of each even number year, the State Board of Elections shall report to the General Assembly (rather than to the General Assembly and the Federal Election Commission) the number of accessible and inaccessible polling places in the State on the date of the next preceding general election, and the reason for any instance of inaccessibility.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/21/2026 - House Ethics & Elections

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall exercise the powers to impose campaign disclosure penalties; to hear and adjudicate alleged violations of registration requirements; to revoke or suspend the raffle licenses of political committees that violate the Raffles and Poker Runs Act; and to inform the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of credible alleged criminal violations.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/30/2026 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires a school board to offer courses in Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Telugu, and Malayalam as a part of its school foreign language curricula.

  CURRENT STATUS

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

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts within one year after an appropriation is made for this purpose. Provides that a school district shall supply all active classroom instructors, school staff, school administrators, and district leadership with the educational document developed by the State Board. Provides that, subject to funding, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms that are not mechanically ventilated have at least 2 properly functioning windows, or one window in situations where only one is present, that can open and can safely stay open. Provides that a school district must be in compliance within 2 years after funding is made available for this purpose. Provides that, subject to funding, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor or sensor and an in-room air cleaner that is installed and operating. Provides that each school shall record all incidents in which the recommended parts-per-million level was breached in a classroom and maintain those records for at least 5 years. Provides that an air quality monitor or sensor and an in-room air cleaner may not be shared between active classrooms. Sets forth further provisions concerning in-room air cleaners and air quality monitors or sensors. Provides that, subject to funding, a regional office of education, an intermediate service center, or the State Board (with respect to the Chicago school district) shall undertake a ventilation verification assessment of all mechanical ventilation systems in a school district. 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.

  CURRENT STATUS

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

Amends the School Code. Requires, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, to establish the School Resource Officer Grant Program to fund salaries and any other costs associated with the hiring of an active law enforcement officer as a school resource officer. Provides that eligible entities are schools or school districts that have hired an active law enforcement officer as a school resource officer and the law enforcement agency or agencies that a school or school district has an intergovernmental agreement with to employ a school resource officer. Provides that any funds distributed to an eligible entity under the Program shall be equally distributed between the eligible entities in an intergovernmental agreement to employ a school resource officer. Allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, to adopt rules as needed for the Program's implementation and the distribution of grants. Makes a conforming change.

  CURRENT STATUS

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

Appropriates $5,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants and administrative and operational expenses associated with the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition. Effective July 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/2/2026 - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments

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.

  CURRENT STATUS

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

Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from developing, purchasing, or requiring a school district to administer, develop, or purchase a standardized assessment for students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 12 (rather than grade 2), other than for diagnostic purposes. Prohibits the State Board of Education from providing funding for any standardized assessment of students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 12 (rather than grade 2). Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/29/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that the statement included in the State Board of Education's list of the identified days and dates of cultural, religious, or other observances shall also encourage schools to avoid, if possible, scheduling significant academic deadlines or major school events on the identified days and dates of cultural, religious, or other observances. Provides that upon the posting and distribution of the list, a district superintendent shall distribute information to all faculty and staff about upcoming days and dates of cultural, religious, or other observances. Requires these days and dates to also be acknowledged and posted on official school or administrative calendars. With respect to a child being excused from attending school because of religious reasons, provides that if the exact date of the absence cannot be determined more than 5 days in advance due to the use of a lunar or other nonfixed calendar, notice of the child's absence shall be given as soon as reasonably possible. Provides that any child excused from attending school because of religious reasons shall be granted reasonable academic accommodations without penalty. Requires a district superintendent's procedures regarding a student's absence for religious reasons to include guidance on adjustments to academic schedules, assignments, or major school events.

  CURRENT STATUS

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

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that a public university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

8/7/2026 - Effective Date August 7, 2026

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to, on or before January 1, 2027, submit a report to the General Assembly regarding the status and availability of agricultural education programs in the State. Effective immediately.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following change: Requires the report to be submitted on or before March 1, 2027 (rather than January 1, 2027). Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

6/30/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

Repeals the Illinois TRUST Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Identification Card Act, the School Code, the Public Higher Education Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop statewide guidance for school districts and educators on the use of technology-based learning resources in elementary and secondary education. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop and publish the guidance by July 1, 2027 and provide continuous updates as it deems necessary. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to convene stakeholders for a statewide council to consult on the further development of guidance, resources, and other support for school districts and educators on the use of technology-based learning resources in schools.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/22/2026 - Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that when registering or seeking recognition status with the State Board of Education, a nonpublic elementary or secondary school shall include assurances that the school will not prohibit religious hairstyles, hair-related religious practices, or facial hair worn in accordance with a student's or employee's sincerely held religious beliefs, observance, or practice. Provides that a school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a school board or local school council may not include or apply to religious hairstyles, hair-related religious practices, or facial hair worn in accordance with a student's sincerely held religious beliefs, observance, or practice. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. In provisions concerning the registration and recognition of non-public elementary and secondary schools, provides that a non-public, sectarian school that has registered or seeks to register or that has obtained or seeks to obtain recognition status is not subject to the requirements of the provisions that restrict a school's ability to adopt, enforce, or apply policies regarding religious hairstyles, hair-related religious practices, or facial hair worn in accordance with a student's or employee's sincerely held religious beliefs, observance, or practice. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/31/2026 - Effective Date July 31, 2026

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that upon approval of a charter renewal by an authorizer, the charter operator shall execute the renewal agreement no later than 90 days after the date of the authorizer's final renewal approval. Provides that a charter school that is deemed nonrenewed is ineligible to receive any payments from a school district. Provides that a charter operator that fails to execute a renewal agreement within a specified period may not continue to operate the charter school beyond the expiration of the existing charter term and is subject to closure procedures. Requires every charter operator to maintain closure security. Provides that failure to maintain closure security is a basis for the authorizer to withhold a portion of per-pupil payments until compliance is achieved and for consideration in denying a charter renewal or revoking the charter or ineligibility to operate additional charter campuses. Provides that if the closure security is insufficient to cover the costs of a closure event, the authorizer or the State Board of Education may bring a civil action against the charter operator to recover the unpaid amounts and seek to impose a lien on any property owned by the charter operator to secure recovery. Provides that if an authorizer determines that a charter school is in financial distress, the authorizer may require the charter operator to submit a financial remediation plan within 30 days. Provides that if the authorizer determines that the charter school has failed to implement an approved remediation plan or the financial distress presents an immediate risk to students, employees, or public funds, the authorizer may initiate financial intervention by appointing an independent fiscal manager approved by the authorizer and the State Board. Allows the fiscal manager to exercise authority limited to financial matters. Provides that financial intervention is temporary and may not exceed 180 days, except that the authorizer may extend the intervention once for good cause. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes. Provides that a charter may be revoked or not renewed if the school board or the State Board of Education clearly demonstrates that the charter school failed to execute a charter contract after good faith negotiations. Removes language providing that: upon approval of a charter renewal by an authorizer, the charter operator shall execute the renewal agreement no later than 90 days after the date of the authorizer's final renewal approval; a charter school that is deemed nonrenewed is ineligible to receive any payments from a school district; and a charter operator that fails to execute a renewal agreement within a specified period may not continue to operate the charter school beyond the expiration of the existing charter term and is subject to closure procedures. Provides that for an initial agreement, no public funds may be disbursed to a charter holder unless and until a charter agreement has been fully executed by both the charter holder and the authorizer. Provides that after the initial agreement, the charter holder and the authorizer shall negotiate the terms of the charter renewal agreement within 90 days after the authorizer's passage of a renewal resolution consistent with applicable State law and district policy. Provides that a charter operator's refusal to execute a charter renewal agreement that incorporates the requirements of State law or district signed-agreement requirements constitutes grounds for nonrenewal. Provides that any remaining closure security funds after satisfaction of obligations shall be returned to the authorizer and shall remain public funds in accordance with State and federal law. With regard to closure financial accountability, allows the State Board to act in its regulatory oversight capacity for all authorizers and in its capacity as an authorizer for charter schools it directly authorizes under the Charter Schools Law. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes. Provides that a charter may be revoked or not renewed if the school board or the State Board of Education clearly demonstrates that the charter school failed to execute a charter contract after good faith negotiations. Removes language providing that: upon approval of a charter renewal by an authorizer, the charter operator shall execute the renewal agreement no later than 90 days after the date of the authorizer's final renewal approval; a charter school that is deemed nonrenewed is ineligible to receive any payments from a school district; and a charter operator that fails to execute a renewal agreement within a specified period may not continue to operate the charter school beyond the expiration of the existing charter term and is subject to closure procedures. Provides that for an initial agreement, no public funds may be disbursed to a charter operator unless and until a charter agreement has been fully executed by both the charter operator and the authorizer. Provides that after the initial agreement, the charter operator and the authorizer shall negotiate the terms of the charter renewal agreement within 90 days after the authorizer's passage of a renewal resolution consistent with applicable State law and district policy. Provides that a charter operator's refusal to execute or negotiate, in good faith, a charter renewal agreement that incorporates the requirements of State law or district signed-agreement requirements constitutes grounds for nonrenewal. Provides that any remaining closure security funds after satisfaction of obligations shall be returned to the authorizer and shall remain public funds in accordance with State and federal law. With regard to closure financial accountability, allows the State Board to act in its regulatory oversight capacity for all authorizers and in its capacity as an authorizer for charter schools it directly authorizes under the Charter Schools Law. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/28/2026 - Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz

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.

  CURRENT STATUS

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

Amends the School Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning the recomputation and adjustment of a school district claim for general State aid or evidence-based funding shall end with Fiscal Year 2026. Provides that when a child from an orphanage, foster family home, other State agency, children's home, or State residential unit eligible for special education services is placed in a separate public day school, that school shall meet the programmatic requirements and regulations for separate public day schools. Provides that any funds appropriated for the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program must be used, among other purposes, for indirect costs necessary for Program operation. Provides that an annual retention bonus of up to $4,000 (rather than $4,000) per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools and such funds must be disbursed equally on an annual basis among all qualified educators (rather than on a first-come, first-served basis). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2026 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that on July 1, 2027, any charter school (i) that is authorized by the State Board of Education, (ii) that is located outside of the Chicago school district, and (iii) whose authorization allows for the charter school to enroll students who reside within the geographic boundaries of more than one school district or to enroll students who reside within the geographic boundaries of a school district that has a student enrollment of at least 29,000 students shall have the charter school's authorization transferred to the school board or boards of the districts from which the charter school draws enrollment. Provides that all charter contract terms shall remain in full force and effect unless amended by mutual agreement of the parties, except that the term of the contract shall be 7 years starting July 1, 2027. Provides that if a State-authorized charter school that is subject to transfer is authorized to enroll students from more than one school district, the school boards of the school districts from which the charter school draws enrollment must establish a joint charter management team that consists of, at minimum, one administrator from each school district to develop and execute a charter oversight plan that is submitted to the State Board as part of the charter certification process. Allows the State Board to adopt any rules that may be necessary to implement the provisions of the amendatory Act. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/30/2026 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.