Amends the School Code. Provides that a provision that allows out-of-school suspensions of longer than 3 days, expulsions, and disciplinary removals to alternative schools to be used only if other appropriate and available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted does not apply to a student who is determined to have possessed on school grounds a product that is prohibited from being sold or otherwise distributed to the student under the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Requires the adopted school board policy for a remote educational program to allow a student to apply to participate in the remote educational program if the student (i) provides an employee pay stub, (ii) has a medical need, including pregnancy, or (iii) needs to care for a family member, including the student's own child.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Children With Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows parents or guardians to use audio recording devices during meetings with their child's individualized education program team regarding the child's placement or progress in an individualized education program. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act. Provides that if a student-athlete earns more than $250,000 from the use of the name, image, likeness, or voice of the student-athlete, then any academic scholarship granted to the student-athlete shall be reduced by $1 per dollar the student-athlete earns over $250,000.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must be expressly designated as (i) a male athletic team or sport, (ii) a female athletic team or sport, or (iii) a coeducational athletic team or sport. Provides that an athletic team or sport designated as being female is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students must be expressly designated as (i) a male athletic team or sport, (ii) a female athletic team or sport, or (iii) a coeducational athletic team or sport. Provides that an athletic team or sport designated as being female is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Creates the Classification by Biological Sex Act. Sets forth findings. Provides that any public school or school district and any State or local agency, department, or office that collects vital statistics for the purpose of complying with antidiscrimination laws or for the purpose of gathering public health, crime, economic, or other data shall classify each individual who is part of the collected data set as either male or female at birth. Amends the Statute on Statutes. Sets forth the meaning of the following terms as used in any statute or any rule or regulation: sex; female and male; woman and girl; man and boy; and mother and father.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the School Code. Removes the requirement that beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must be expressly designated as (i) a male athletic team or sport, (ii) a female athletic team or sport, or (iii) a coeducational athletic team or sport. Provides that an athletic team or sport designated as being female is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. Provides that each school board may provide free transportation for any pupil residing within a one-half mile (rather than one and one-half miles) from the school attended where conditions are such that walking, either to or from the school to which a pupil is assigned for attendance or to or from a pick-up point or bus stop, constitutes a serious hazard to the safety of the pupil due to either vehicular traffic or rail crossings or a course or pattern of criminal activity.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Requires a school district that administers a self-report survey to its students that may reveal personal, protected information to obtain parental or guardian consent in writing if the student is under the age of 18 before the student may participate in the self-report survey. Requires a school district to afford a parent or guardian the opportunity to review, either electronically or in person, the scope of the questions to be asked. Provides that refusal to grant consent for a student to participate in the self-report survey shall not be a reason for disciplinary action, academic penalty, suspension, or expulsion or any other sanction of the student. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that an association or other entity that has, as one of its purposes, promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within the State shall exempt students who are unable to attend the required number of practices to participate in an interscholastic game, match, or other competition due to activities connected to military service from the practice requirement.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that the special education notice provided to a parent or guardian prior to a meeting shall inform the parent or guardian of the parent's or guardian's right to invite other individuals to the meeting to assist the parent or guardian, including individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, and advocates for the parent, guardian, or child. Requires the State Board of Education to prepare and distribute to each school district written informational material about the individualized education program (IEP) facilitation process. Provides that the informational material on IEP facilitation shall be disseminated to parents and guardians by schools using the same distribution methods employed to transmit other documents and information related to an IEP meeting to a parent or guardian.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - House Bills on Third Reading

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State shall adopt a policy that allows for a student to participate in interscholastic athletics immediately upon completing a transfer from one school to another school and enrolling in that other school. Provides that the policy may prohibit the student from participating in interscholastic athletics at that other school before the school transfer process is complete and the transfer has been accepted by the principal of the school from which the student is transferring and the principal of the school to which the student is transferring. Effective July 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/28/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Creates the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act. Establishes the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority, the Commuter Rail Division and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Regional Transportation Authority are consolidated into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority and the Service Boards are abolished. Creates the Suburban Bus Operating Division, Commuter Rail Operating Division, and the Chicago Transit Operating Division. Reinserts, reorganizes, and changes some provisions from the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act into the new Act. Includes provisions concerning the operation of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Repeals the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Amends various Acts, Laws, and Codes to make conforming changes. Creates the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act. Establishes the Office of Equitable Transit-Oriented Development and the Transit-Supportive Development Fund. Provides that the Office and the Fund are to aid transit-supportive development near high-quality transit by providing specified funding to municipalities that have adopted the standards in the transit support overlay district for that area or that have adopted zoning and other changes that the Office determines have benefits greater than or equal to such a District, including transit support overlay districts. Includes provisions relating to Office standards, procedures, and reports. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Requires the Department to establish, staff, and support an Office of Public Transportation Support for the purpose of optimizing the operation of public transportation vehicles and the delivery of public transportation services on highways under the Department's jurisdiction in the Metropolitan Mobility Authority's metropolitan region. Describes the duties and operations of the Office. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Chair of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority is a nonvoting member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/25/2025 - House Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges

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.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - House Bills on Third Reading

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that for a child residing in a long-term, acute care facility serving a majority of patients who are (i) minor children and (ii) Medicaid-eligible in Harvey School District 152, if a parent or guardian moves out of the State after the child is placed in such a facility, that parent or guardian shall enroll the child in a school in the other state to initiate reimbursement to Illinois. With respect to determining the location of a student's parent or guardian, provides that the information submitted to the State Superintendent of Education must include an affidavit from that school district's superintendent or the facility's director attesting that the location of the parent or guardian is unknown and at least 3 satisfactory attempts (rather than 4 items of documentary evidence that a minimum of 4 separate attempts) were made on 3 separate days to locate the parent or guardian and no response was received from the parent or guardian within 14 days after such satisfactory attempts. Provides that for a child residing in a long-term, acute care facility serving a majority of patients who are (i) minor children and (ii) Medicaid-eligible in Harvey School District 152, the following apply: (1) if the child is not currently enrolled in a school district or if the resident school district is unknown, the appropriate resident school district must be identified and the child must be enrolled in that district prior to the placement of the child, except in emergency situations; (2) for a child with an out-of-state resident district whose out-of-state resident district has refused to enroll the child in the district, despite being contacted by both the nonpublic school within the applicable facility and the State Board of Education, the resident district shall be the student's most recent resident district in Illinois and that resident district shall be the responsible payee; and (3) the equivalent of each applicable child's tuition receipts for the 2025-2026 school year shall be paid to the resident district. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

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.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. With respect to impartial due process hearings, provides that no mediation agreement, resolution agreement, or settlement agreement may include, as a condition of settlement, that a parent, a student (if at least 18 years of age or emancipated), or the designated representative of a student who is at least 18 years of age prospectively waive a free, appropriate public education or prospectively waive the right to assert claims for the nonimplementation of a free, appropriate public education. Provides that any mediation agreement, resolution agreement, or settlement agreement containing such prospective waivers is unenforceable in an administrative proceeding or in a State or federal court. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Provides that if a mediation agreement, resolution agreement, or settlement agreement includes, as a condition of settlement, that a parent, a student (if at least 18 years of age or emancipated), the legal guardian of a student, or the designated representative of a student who is at least 18 years of age prospectively waive a legal right or claim, the prospective waiver (i) must be limited to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for the student who is the subject of the mediation, resolution meeting, or settlement negotiations and (ii) must be limited in scope and duration and narrowly tailored to the nature and intent of the settlement (rather than providing that no mediation agreement, resolution agreement, or settlement agreement may include, as a condition of settlement, that a parent, a student, if at least 18 years of age or emancipated, or the designated representative of a student who is at least 18 years of age prospectively waive a free, appropriate public education or prospectively waive the right to assert claims for the nonimplementation of a free, appropriate public education and any mediation agreement, resolution agreement, or settlement agreement containing such prospective waivers is unenforceable in an administrative proceeding or in a State or federal court).

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Removes language that provides that remote learning days and blended remote learning days established under certain provisions of the School Code shall be deemed pupil attendance days for calculation of the length of a school term. Instead, provides that remote learning days may not be deemed pupil attendance days for calculation of the length of a school term unless established under those provisions of the School Code.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Creates the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Act. Enters into the compact, which may be entered into by any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America, in order to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services, along with other stated objectives. Defines terms. Provides that a license issued to an audiologist or speech-language pathologist by a home state to a resident in that state shall be recognized by each member state as authorizing an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, under a privilege to practice, in each member state. Contains other provisions relating to: state participation in the compact; compact privilege, including practicing telehealth; designation of home state by active military or their spouses; taking adverse actions against audiologists and speech-language pathologists; creation of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission, including rulemaking authority; database and reporting system; oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement; construction and severability; and the binding effect of compact and other laws. Provides that the Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact is enacted into law in the 10th member state, commonwealth, district, or territory. Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Provides that, if the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact becomes law, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall revise its rules related to implementing and enforcing the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act to be in conformance with the Compact, if necessary. Provides that the Department shall also make recommendations in a report to the General Assembly as to what portions of the Act and other laws should be modified, if at all, to be consistent with the Compact.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the conviction of certain offenses as grounds for disqualification for licensure or suspension or revocation of a license, includes the sex offense of abuse by an educator or authority figure under the definition of "sex or other offense". Amends the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person is an educator or authority figure at the school, the student is at least 18 years of age but under 23 years of age, the person is at least 4 years older than the student and holds or held within the previous year a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to the student in connection with an educational or extracurricular program or activity, and the person either: (1) commits an act of sexual conduct with the student; or (2) commits an act of sexual penetration with the student. Provides that abuse by an educator or authority figure involving sexual conduct is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense or if there is more than one victim. Provides that abuse by an educator or authority figure involving sexual penetration is a Class 4 felony for the first offense and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent offense or if there is more than one victim. Provides that consent of the victim is not a defense to abuse by an educator or authority figure.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/12/2025 - Do Pass / Short Debate Rules Committee; 008-004-000

Amends the Course 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 the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Provides that a 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

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Adds the Secretary of Early Childhood or his or her designee as a member of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities. Provides that the Council shall establish a committee charged with ensuring that all children aged 3 to 5 with disabilities have access to high-quality, inclusive, early-childhood services, provided in the least restrictive environment, across all early learning settings. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, by the school year in which a student turns 16, the transition planning process must include discussions with the student's individualized education program (IEP) team regarding the student's graduation status and the implications of high school graduation. Requires the transition planning process to include informing the student, the student's parent or guardian, and the student's designated representative that (i) graduation with a regular high school diploma terminates the student's eligibility for a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and (ii) the student can continue to receive IEP services until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22 when appropriate to meet the student's IEP goals. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Nicole La Ha

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 2028-2029 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. Sets forth what topics must be included. 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 course for each high school student prior to graduation. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a Financial Literacy Implementation Committee no later than June 30, 2025 to make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education concerning the implementation of the course for each high school student prior to graduation. Sets forth provisions concerning Committee members, meetings, and support. Provides that the State Board of Education shall present regular and timely reports to the Committee regarding the implementation of the course. Requires a pupil to successfully complete a course on personal finance education as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma (rather than allowing a financial literacy course to be included as part of the social studies requirement). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that subject to the availability of local resources, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each public middle school, junior high school, and high school may establish a junior color guard program to promote the value of and honor military personnel. Provides that the junior color guard may be used at school events, including interscholastic athletic events and other events in which the presenting of the colors is requested. Provides that each school may allow the junior color guard to participate in community events in which the presenting of the colors may be requested. Provides that each school may work with a civic organization or association to provide adequate training to the members of the junior color guard on the execution of their duties.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the School Code. Provides that the school board of each school district maintaining a high school shall require the high school to prioritize granting school parking passes to students with disabilities who have a disability license plate or parking decal or device by ensuring that these students are able to park an accessible distance from the high school's entrance and are given first consideration (i) before assigning students school parking passes and (ii) after assigning students school parking passes for those students with disabilities who receive a disability license plate or parking decal or device after students have been assigned school parking passes. Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Requires the governing board of each public institution of higher education to prioritize granting parking passes to students with disabilities who have a disability license plate or parking decal or device by ensuring that these students are able to park an accessible distance from a building's entrance and are given first consideration (i) before assigning students parking passes and (ii) after assigning students parking passes for those students with disabilities who receive a disability license plate or parking decal or device after students have been assigned parking passes.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a school board's suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that a student who is determined to have committed sexual violence, sexual assault, or sexual activity with an individual without the individual's consent at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Creates the Student Bill of Rights Act. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall jointly establish, no later than January 1, 2026, a student bill of rights to outline that students in public schools and public institutions of higher education have a right to educational equity and to be free from discrimination based on race, sex, gender, socioeconomic status, and mental or physical ability. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall publish the student bill of rights on their Internet websites and make a handout available. Provides that each public institution of higher education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall have on their Internet websites a link to the student bill of rights published on the Board of Higher Education's Internet website. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that a female student in any of grades 6 through 12 who is participating in an educational program in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, subject to guidelines established by the State Board of Education, shall be permitted by a school board to have one school-day-long, excused absence per school year to participate in an externship or volunteer opportunity with an Illinois organization in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Provides that the school board may require that the student provide reasonable advance notice of the intended absence to the appropriate school administrator and require that the student provide documentation of the participation in an externship or volunteer opportunity to the appropriate school administrator.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish, implement, and administer a STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program, using funds appropriated from the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund, for the purpose of offering scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at public universities in this State. Sets forth provisions concerning eligibility, preference and priority, the assistance awarded, funding, and rulemaking. Creates the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Creates the Database Resources for Students Act. Provides that a school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college may offer digital or online library database resources to students in grades kindergarten through 12 only if the provider of the resources verifies that all the resources have safety policies and technology protection measures that prohibit and prevent a user of the resources from sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading and filter or block access to child pornography, obscene materials, or materials that depict child sexual exploitation. Provides that, notwithstanding any contract provision to the contrary, if a provider fails to comply with these provisions, the school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college shall withhold further payments to the provider pending verification of compliance. Provides that if a provider fails to timely verify that the provider is in compliance, then the school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college shall consider the provider's act of noncompliance as a breach of contract. Provides that nothing in the Act exempts from prosecution an employee of a school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college for a willful violation of the provisions of the Criminal Code of 2012 regarding obscenity and child pornography. Sets forth reporting provisions. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to provide that the Act applies to charter schools. Effective July 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Creates the Education Savings Account Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall develop and implement an education savings account program for eligible pupils. Provides that education savings account payments shall be made available to parents and guardians in the manner authorized for the payment of qualified educational expenses as provided in the Act. Provides that parents and guardians shall first use education savings account payments for all qualified educational expenses that are tuition and fees for which the parent or guardian is responsible for payment at the pupil's nonpublic school prior to using the education savings account for other qualified educational expenses. Sets forth provisions regarding program eligibility, application requirements, disbursement of funds, testing requirements, and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must abide by the following: if an athletic team or sport is designated as being female, it is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act. Provides that any student or student media adviser may institute proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the rights to free speech or free press. Provides that nothing shall be construed to create any private action on behalf of a student other than to seek injunctive relief allowing the publication of the speech in question. Allows a court to award reasonable attorney's fees to a plaintiff that substantially prevails.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Requires each school district that offers one or more courses in health education to pupils in middle school or high school to include in those courses instruction in mental health. Sets forth the required instruction topics and materials. Provides that a pupil receiving instruction under in mental health shall not be required to disclose the pupil's confidential health or mental health information at any time in the course of receiving the instruction.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

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, anyone in the child's household, the child's grandparents, siblings, or a close friend of the child 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.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Provides that immediately upon the determination of a substantial deficiency in reading or the characteristics of dyslexia based upon (i) screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, or assessment data, (ii) statewide assessments, or (iii) teacher observations, the parent or legal guardian of a student in grades 1 through 3 who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading must be notified in writing by the student's teacher of the following: (1) that the student has been identified as having a substantial deficiency in reading; (2) a description of the services that the school district currently is providing to the student; (3) a description of the proposed supplemental instructional services and supports that are designed to remediate the identified area of reading deficiency which the school district plans to provide the student; and (4) strategies for parents and guardians to use in helping the student to succeed in reading proficiency.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Creates the Right to Play Act. Provides that a student who is a member of a school athletic activity may participate in a nonschool athletic activity that is of the same sport as the school athletic activity during the season in which the student participates in the school athletic activity without losing eligibility to participate in the school athletic activity, provided that the student may not participate in both the nonschool athletic activity and a school athletic practice or competition for the same sport on the same day.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Allows a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 to enroll in a required high school course if the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend and the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the student passes the end of course exam given at the high school granting the credit for the same course, demonstrating proficiency at the high school level (course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license issued under Article 21B of this Code and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course).

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - House Bills on Third Reading

Amends the School Code. Provides that the parent or guardian of a student against whom misconduct was committed by another student shall receive a copy of the disciplinary report from an investigation into the perpetrating student's act or acts of misconduct.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the required support regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) shall include providing time during the school day, not requiring a student to be excused from regularly scheduled class time, to complete or receive help with completion of a financial aid application. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. With respect to identification, evaluation, and placement, provides that, beginning no later than the first annual review meeting after a child turns 13 years of age, the individualized education program (IEP) team shall determine at each annual review meeting whether it would be appropriate for the child to participate in IEP meetings with the child's IEP team.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a school shall provide written notice to the parents or guardian of a child with disabilities that the parents or guardian have the right to have an individualized education program (IEP) advocate present at any meeting regarding the child's current or prospective individualized education program and that the parents or guardian have the right to ask for an IEP facilitator for the child's IEP. Provides that the school may provide the written notification as a part of other provided documentation, including, but not limited to, admission and enrollment documents.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/18/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a child from being denied a free public education through secondary school while in the State based on the child's or associated person's perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school from excluding a child, or associated person, from participation in or denying a child, or associated person, the benefits of any program or activity on the grounds of that child's, or associated person's, actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Provides that a school must not use criteria, measures, or methods of administration that have the effect of excluding from participation or denying the benefits of any program or activity because of a child's, or associated person's, actual or perceived immigration status. Prohibits a school from threatening to disclose information regarding or relating to the actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status of a child, or associated person, or actually disclosing information based on perceived or unverified citizenship or immigration status, to any other person, entity, or any immigration or law enforcement agency. Provides that a school must not allow an immigration agent to enter a school site or school district facility for any purpose without providing valid identification, a written statement of purpose, and a valid judicial warrant, and, to the extent possible, receiving approval from the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the charter school, and their legal counsel. Provides that a school district or school must not detain any individual solely on the basis of any formal or informal request, or immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant from an immigration agent. Requires a school district or school to adopt a policy for complying with the amendatory Act. Allows any party aggrieved by a violation of the provisions to bring a civil lawsuit no later than 2 years after the violation occurred. Provides that if the court finds that a violation has occurred, the court may award to the plaintiff 3 times actual damages or $17,000, whichever is greater. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Provides that if the provider of the micro-credential or digital badge determines and can demonstrate that a student meets all of the criteria required to earn State Global Scholar Certification, then the school district or nonpublic school shall designate that the student has earned State Global Scholar Certification on the student's diploma and transcript.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Provides that each required civics class shall guide students through the voter registration process, and if the student is of eligible age, allow students to preregister to vote. Allows a student or the student's parent or legal guardian to opt the student out of preregistration.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 and offers school facilitated employment, career pathways, or internship experiences shall provide to students participating in the program (rather than may include in its high school curriculum): (1) instruction on workplace preparation that covers legal protections in the workplace; and (2) protection against sexual harassment and racial and other forms of discrimination.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Removes language providing that at the end of each school year, a school district shall catalogue and report to the State Board of Education the total amount that remains unpaid by students due to a prohibition on withholding a student's grades, transcripts, or diploma because of an unpaid balance on the student's school account. Removes language providing that the prohibition is inoperative on a certain date.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/18/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires a school district, if funds are available, to provide a minimum of 3 hours of instruction for students in any of grades 7 through 12 on (i) legal aspects explaining certain laws and penalties, (ii) responding to a police encounter, and (iii) the aftermath. Allows the State Board of Education to prepare and make available to school boards resource materials that may be used as guidelines for the development of the instruction. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Creates the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act. Restricts a public educational institution from the adoption or continued use of discriminatory disability mascots. Allows a public educational institution to continue to use uniforms or other materials bearing a prohibited name, logo, or mascot that were purchased on or before the effective date of the Act until September 1, 2028 if certain requirements.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Creates the Adaptive Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Program Act. Provides that, no later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of State shall establish and oversee an Adaptive Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Program to provide preschool children with access to educational technology programs that use family engagement to improve kindergarten readiness. Provides that, during the 2026-2027 academic year, the Pilot Program shall provide a cohort of eligible children with access to an educational technology program that satisfies specified goals concerning kindergarten readiness. Sets forth provisions concerning the selection of a provider for the Pilot Program; provider duties; and reporting requirements. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2028. Effective July 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if the board of trustees and the program meet specified conditions. Provides for an application for approval from the Illinois Community College Board. Sets forth community college requirements and prohibitions for establishing a baccalaureate degree program. Provides that a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program shall submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Sets forth what that report shall include. Provides for a statewide evaluation of a baccalaureate degree program.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that a child with a who is excused for a temporary absence because of a physical illness for up to 5 days does not need to provide a medical note.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/26/2025 - Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a district from charging tuition to non-resident pupils. Removes all other language regarding the tuition of non-resident pupils. Removes language regarding the application of provisions based on district population, hearings, and penalties related to non-resident pupil tuition. Removes language prohibiting certain transfers of students. Requires each school board to establish and implement a policy governing the transfer of non-resident students from outside of the school district to schools within the district. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/18/2025 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall develop a program of technical assistance in support of regional manufacturing partnerships in collaboration with employer associations representing manufacturers; secondary and postsecondary institutions, including public universities and community colleges; and workforce stakeholders, including local workforce innovation boards and local workforce innovation areas.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/20/2025 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Requires an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State to allow a student for whom it is determined that special education services are needed under the School Code to participate in interscholastic athletics and other forms of athletic competition for as long as the student is eligible for such special education services, which, for purposes of the School Code, means through the day before the student's 22nd birthday.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires a school board to allow a student who resides in the school district but attends a nonpublic school to participate in extracurricular athletic activities sponsored by the district without being required to enroll or complete coursework at a public school within the district if certain conditions are met. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/17/2025 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows the school district to initiate an impartial due process hearing within 14 (rather than 5) days of any written parent request for an independent educational evaluation to show that its evaluation is appropriate. Requires an independent educational evaluation at public expense to be completed within 60 school days (rather than 30 days) of a parent's written request unless the school district initiates an impartial due process hearing or the parent or school district offers reasonable grounds to show that such time period should be extended. Provides that if the due process hearing decision indicates that the parent is entitled to an independent educational evaluation, it must be completed within 60 school days (rather than 30 days) of the decision unless the parent or the school district offers reasonable grounds to show that such period should be extended.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/20/2025 - Senate Bills on Third Reading

Amends the School Code. With respect to prerequisites to receiving a high school diploma, provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, agricultural education, agricultural business, or any other course that relates to agriculture satisfies the vocational education requirement. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/20/2025 - Senate Bills on Third Reading

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue an instruction permit to a child who is not less than 15 years of age if the child receives permission from a driver education teacher or administrator from a school offering an approved driver education course (rather than if the child is enrolled in an approved driver education course).

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 4, 2025

Amends the Illinois School Student Records Act. Provides that "Student Permanent Record" includes a summary of performance for students that received special-education services. Provides that student records or information contained therein may be released, transferred, disclosed, or other disseminated to the Department of Human Services for the sole purpose of assessing or evaluating the student's eligibility for Medicaid waiver benefits consistent with rules adopted by the Department of Human Services.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that in the development of an individual education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for a twice-exceptional child, if the child's ability or achievement indicates that the student would benefit from advanced academic programs, then those abilities or achievement levels shall be the primary focus of the child's IEP or Section 504 plan and be reflected in the individualized services, goals, and objectives for the child. Defines "twice-exceptional child". Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that immediately upon the determination of a substantial deficiency in reading or the characteristics of dyslexia based upon (i) screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, or assessment data, (ii) statewide assessments, or (iii) teacher observations, the parent or legal guardian of a student in grades 1 through 3 who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading must be notified in writing by the student's teacher of the following: (1) that the student has been identified as having a substantial deficiency in reading; (2) a description of the services that the school district currently is providing to the student; (3) a description of the proposed supplemental instructional services and supports that are designed to remediate the identified area of reading deficiency which the school district plans to provide the student; and (4) strategies for parents and guardians to use in helping the student to succeed in reading proficiency. Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by the amendatory Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Removes language providing that a local program for the education of gifted and talented children may be approved for funding by the State Board of Education if funds for that purpose are available and if the local program submits an application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan. Removes language providing that the State Board of Education staff person in charge of educational programs for gifted and talented children shall be responsible for developing an approval process for educational programs for gifted and talented children. With respect to the evidence-based funding provisions, provides that in the adequacy target calculation, each organizational unit shall receive $40 per kindergarten through grade 12 for advanced academic programs (rather than for gifted investments). Makes related changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/20/2025 - Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2025

Amends the School Code. Allows any school or school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 to implement an advance academic studies ambassadors program with the following goals: (1) to improve the enrollment of students in advanced academic programs within the school or district; (2) to improve the retention and academic success of students enrolled in advanced academic programs within the school or district; (3) to provide students information, leadership opportunities, and foster a sense of community among the student body; and (4) to promote the importance and awareness of advanced academic programs offered at the school or school district to enrolled students and their families. Provides that the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to schools and school districts that submit a grant application to the State Board requesting funds to implement an advance academic studies ambassadors program. Allows the State Board to adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of the provisions.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a child from being denied a free public education through secondary school while in the State based on the child's or associated person's perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school from excluding a child, or associated person, from participation in or denying a child, or associated person, the benefits of any program or activity on the grounds of that child's, or associated person's, actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Provides that a school must not use criteria, measures, or methods of administration that have the effect of excluding from participation or denying the benefits of any program or activity because of a child's, or associated person's, actual or perceived immigration status. Prohibits a school from threatening to disclose information regarding or relating to the actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status of a child, or associated person, or actually disclosing information based on perceived or unverified citizenship or immigration status, to any other person, entity, or any immigration or law enforcement agency. Provides that a school must not allow an immigration agent to enter a school site or school district facility for any purpose without providing valid identification, a written statement of purpose, and a valid judicial warrant, and, to the extent possible, receiving approval from the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the charter school, and their legal counsel. Provides that a school district or school must not detain any individual solely on the basis of any formal or informal request, or immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant from an immigration agent. Requires a school district or school to adopt a policy for complying with the amendatory Act. Allows any party aggrieved by a violation of the provisions to bring a civil lawsuit no later than 2 years after the violation occurred. Provides that if the court finds that a violation has occurred, the court may award to the plaintiff 3 times actual damages or $17,000, whichever is greater. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2025 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that pupils absent from school due to the following valid causes may be counted as in attendance for the number of clock hours and days that the pupil was absent due to the valid cause: (1) illness, including the mental or behavioral health of the student up to 5 days for mental and behavioral health; (2) attendance at a verified medical or therapeutic appointment; and (3) death in the immediate family.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2025 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that any student with an individualized education program or any child with a disability who has not been removed from the regular education environment shall receive educational services at the local building that the child would attend if the child did not require special education services.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/21/2025 - Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 4, 2025