House Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, provides that, through August 31, 2025, no candidate completing a teacher preparation program or other candidate is required to pass a teacher performance assessment. Makes conforming changes. Creates the Teacher Performance Assessment Task Force to evaluate potential teacher performance assessment systems for implementation in this State, with the intention of supporting a thoughtful and well-rounded licensure system that is performance-based and has consistency across programs and objectivity. Sets forth the membership of the Task Force. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that on or before August 1, 2024, the Task Force shall report on its work, including recommendations on a teacher performance assessment system in this State, to the State Board of Education. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved upon submission of this report. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/28/2023 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Requires school districts with a population of 3,000 or more students to interview a minimum percentage of minority candidates for teaching positions. Exempts teaching positions within an English as a Second Language program from the requirement. Sets forth the formula for the school district to use to calculate the minimum percentage required. Provides that if the school district is unable to interview the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years, the school district must implement a program for school district employees interested in obtaining a Professional Educator License. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/12/2023 - Referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that scholarships awarded under the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program may be granted to individuals employed as teachers who agree to pursue a master's degree at a qualified institution of higher learning in order to teach dual credit courses at a secondary school. Provides that for any individual receiving a scholarship to teach dual credit courses, following the completion of the program of study, the individual must teach at least one dual credit course per school year in a secondary school in this State for a period of at least 5 years. Provides that individuals who fail to comply shall refund all of the awarded scholarships to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, whether payments were made directly to the institutions of higher learning or to the individuals, and this condition shall be agreed to in writing by the scholarship recipients at the time the scholarship is awarded. Provides that no individual may be required to refund tuition payments if his or her failure to teach a dual credit course in a secondary school is the result of financial conditions within school districts. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2023.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Changes the effective date to July 1, 2024 (instead of July 1, 2023).

  CURRENT STATUS

4/26/2024 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tony M. McCombie

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall establish and maintain a Temporary Teacher Apprenticeship Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring a Professional Educator License. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may establish and adopt any rules necessary to implement this program, including the standards that a qualified participant must meet to receive a Professional Educator License. Sets forth the requirements to complete the program. Provides that upon completing the requirements of the program, a qualified participant is eligible for a Professional Educator License. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/16/2023 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Chris Miller

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, any candidate who is considered either a former or active first responder or military personnel shall receive a refund for any costs associated with completing a test of content area knowledge. Provides that, subject to appropriation, any candidate who is considered either a former or active first responder or military personnel shall receive a refund for any costs associated with completing a teacher performance assessment. Provides that no former or active first responder or military personnel may be charged an application fee under specified provisions. Effective July 1, 2023.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/16/2023 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Chris Miller

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that the annual incentive shall be $2,250 (instead of $1,500) and that 45 hours of mentoring shall be required (instead of 30). Provides that funds may also be used for professional development training provided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the National Board Resource Center. Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Provides that funds may be used for professional development training provided by the National Board Resource Center (instead of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the National Board Resource Center).

  CURRENT STATUS

6/30/2023 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0122

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may offer the school resource officer course to a qualified retired law enforcement officer for the purpose of employment at a school or school district and may issue a certificate or waiver for the school resource officer course in the same manner as provided for any other officer. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2024, a school or school district may employ a qualified retired law enforcement officer who obtains a certificate of completion or approved waiver under the Illinois Police Training Act to carry out the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school resource officer may carry a firearm during the performance of the officer's duties at a school or in a school district. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

6/9/2023 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Travis Weaver

Amends the School Code. Provides that a foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets specified requirements. Provides that the foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may teach a course on the foreign language for which the foreign language endorsement is issued. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree may substitute teach in foreign language classrooms. Effective July 1, 2023.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/27/2023 - House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act to provide that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may offer a school resource officer course to a qualified retired law enforcement officer. Provides that nothing in the school resource officer course provision prohibits a school resource officer or qualified retired law enforcement officer from carrying a firearm. Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning January 1, 2024, a school or school district may employ a qualified retired law enforcement officer who obtains a certificate of completion or approved waiver under the Illinois Police Training Act to carry out the duties of a school resource officer. Makes a conforming change. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall (rather than may) employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain a (rather than the national and State recommended) student-counselor ratio of 250 to one. Provides that school districts shall require school counselors to meet with their assigned students at least once each month. Makes related changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/19/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that in fixing salaries of employees, school boards shall pay to employees an hourly rate not less than the following: (i) $20 for the 2023-2024 school year; (ii) $21 for the 2024-2025 school year; and (iii) $22 for the 2025-2026 school year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each school year thereafter shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Provides that "employee" means any employee of the school district who provides educational support services to the district, including, but not limited to, custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, or paraprofessional educators. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/15/2023 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that in fixing the salaries of employees, a school board or the governing board of a joint agreement shall pay to employees an hourly rate of not less than (i) $20 for the 2024-2025 school year, (ii) $21 for the 2025-2026 school year, and (iii) $22 for the 2026-2027 school year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each school year thereafter shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Provides that "employee" means any employee of a school district or joint agreement who provides educational support services to the district or joint agreement, including, but not limited to, custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, or paraprofessional educators. Provides that an employee's salary shall include any amount paid by the school district or joint agreement on behalf of the employee, as employee contributions, to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/27/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Makes changes to the probationary periods pertaining to attaining contractual continued service. For the first probationary period, requires the teacher to be employed for 3 (rather than 4) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives overall annual evaluation ratings of at least "Proficient" in the second and third school terms (rather than overall annual evaluation ratings of at least "Proficient" in the last school term and at least "Proficient" in either the second or third school term). For the second probationary period, requires the teacher to serve for 2 (rather than 3) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives 2 (rather than 3) overall annual evaluations of "Excellent". Effective July 1, 2023.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a concealed carry licensee who is an employee of a public or private elementary or secondary school may carry a concealed firearm into the school building, real property, and parking area under the control of the school where he or she is employed if, in addition to the training requirement to obtain a concealed carry license, he or she receives additional training from a training program established by the Illinois State Police. Provides that within 120 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Illinois State Police shall establish a training program for licensees who are employees of a public or private elementary or secondary school to permit the employees to carry firearms into the school buildings where they are employed and their adjacent parking lots and real property. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish the training curriculum and the amount of training, which shall not exceed 48 hours, of which a maximum of 28 hours shall be firearm training. Provides that the training shall include the safe handling of firearms around children. Provides that the training must be completed annually.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides for the reinstatement of a lapsed Professional Educator License upon the payment by the applicant of the lesser of a $50 penalty or a $10 penalty for each year the license has lapsed (rather than a $50 penalty). Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/16/2023 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Chris Miller

Amends the School Code. Provides that each school board shall provide LGBTQIA+ diversity training for educators who have not previously received training.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/27/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish and administer a grant program to reimburse school districts for providing stipends for classroom Career and Technical Education teachers who participate in externships with a manufacturing company in the State. Provides for rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/14/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriations, the State Board of Education shall pay one-half of the salary of an employee that is employed by a manufacturing company and working within a school district at a high school as a licensed career and technical education teacher.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Creates the Public Higher Education Act. Defines terms, including "employee", which means an employee of a public institution of higher education who provides educational support services to the institution, including, but not limited to, a custodial employee, a transportation employee, a food service provider, a teaching assistant, or administrative staff. Provides that, in fixing the salaries of employees, the governing board of each public institution of higher education shall pay to employees an hourly rate of not less than: (i) $20 for the 2023-2024 academic year; (ii) $21 for the 2024-2025 academic year; and (iii) $22 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each academic year thereafter shall equal the minimum hourly rate for the previous academic year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous academic year. Amends the School Code to make similar changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/17/2023 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop a grant program to support the educator licensure of paraprofessionals with bachelor's degrees. Provides that the State Board shall distribute grants to qualified school districts. Provides that the school districts shall distribute funds to paraprofessionals. Sets forth requirements for school districts to qualify. Sets forth requirements for paraprofessionals to qualify. Sets forth requirements for the grant application, selection of paraprofessionals, restrictions of funds, priority to award grant assistance, program evaluation, and rulemaking.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/19/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that for any teacher who is elected by the association's membership to represent the association for federal advocacy work, for up to 10 days in any school year spent by a teacher during the term, time spent in attendance at a meeting or gathering for federal advocacy work shall be considered time expended in the service of the district and no deduction of wages shall be made for such attendance.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/27/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that educator licensees must be trained in the following topics at least once every 5 years: prevalent health conditions of students, social-emotional learning practices and standards, developing cultural competency, identifying warning signs of mental illness, trauma, and suicidal behavior in youth, domestic and sexual violence and the needs of expectant and parenting youth, working with exceptional students, educator ethics, and child sexual abuse and grooming behavior. With respect to the Educator Licensure Article of the Code, provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, in order to satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal, each professional educator licensee must complete specified training. Provides that certain entities shall be designated as approved to provide professional development activities delivered though in-service training or teacher and educational support personnel workshops or through online, asynchronous means (rather than to provide professional development activities) for the renewal of Professional Educator Licenses. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board shall use the State and federal programs, grants, and subsidies that are available to assist in paying for student teachers as appropriate funds are made available.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/19/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Permits a school district to implement a program to allow school personnel, including athletic coaches, school counselors, and administrative staff, who possess comprehensive knowledge about postsecondary academic or vocational options to provide mentoring services or guidance related to postsecondary academic and vocational options to high school students. Sets forth the services and guidance that a postsecondary mentor may provide to a student; allows the State Board of Education to establish guidelines. Provides that the participation of school personnel in the program shall be on a voluntary basis only; allows school personnel to receive compensation for participating in the program. Provides that a school district may issue a certificate to school personnel who participate in the program certifying that the participant possesses sufficient knowledge. Provides that the State Board of Education may provide for the form of the certificate. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Boards and Chicago School District Articles of the School Code. Provides that school boards shall allow all educators to have daily continuous uninterrupted individual classroom planning time. Provides that the planning period shall be equal to one class period but no less than 45 minutes in duration. Provides that this time requirement applies to educators who are in contact with students for 50% or more of their contracted workday. Provides that, during this planning period, educators may not be forced to substitute in other areas of the building or district when another educator is absent or a vacancy exists and may not be forced to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences of any kind. Provides that if an educator chooses to substitute or attend a meeting, training, or conference during their guaranteed planning period of their own free will, the educator shall be compensated at a rate of pay that is negotiated between the local Board of Education and local association of a state teacher association.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/19/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a microcredential for teachers to receive training in introductory and intermediate computer science. Provides that the microcredential shall cover the best practices for teaching computer science to students, focusing on content mastery and teaching strategies. Provides that the State Board of education shall also establish a microcredential for teachers to receive training for Advanced Placement classes in computer science after completing the introductory microcredential. Provides that the State Board of Education shall make the microcredential a primary endorsement area.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/27/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the minimum salary of teachers, provides that the minimum salary shall be fixed at $42,500 for the 2029-2030 school year, $45,000 for the 2034-2035 school year, $47,500 for the 2039-2040 school year, and $50,000 for the 2044-2045 school year. Removes provisions that adjusts the minimum salary rate by a increase in percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that school districts may not tie teacher performance evaluations to a entire school's standardized testing performance or to a curriculum area in which the teacher is not certified.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Allows a METT Educator District License for teaching a course in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a trade (METT) to be issued to an applicant who has at least 10,000 working hours in a trade. Provides that a METT Educator District License may be issued to qualified individuals who have not obtained a bachelor's degree or an equivalent number of hours in an educational program at an institution of higher education. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license being issued and may be renewed. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid only for the teaching of a course that the State Board of Education has identified as related to the work experience of the licensee. Sets forth other provisions regarding the license. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Department of Labor, shall expand a database to identify METT labor shortages. Provides that by July 1, 2026, school districts in identified regions shall be notified by the State Board and shall participate in a College and Career Pathway Endorsement program and offer a METT endorsement. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall approve a course for school safety officers (a retired law enforcement officer who has been hired by a school district to perform security services). Sets forth training and certification requirements, including firearm certification. Provides that an applicant for employment as a school safety officer must authorize an investigation to determine if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense that disqualifies the person as a school safety officer. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Exempts school safety officers from the Act if a school board does not require officer-worn body cameras. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a school may employ a school safety officer. Requires a school safety officer applicant to provide the school district a certificate of completion or approved waiver issued by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that a school safety officer shall wear a uniform that clearly identifies the officer as a school safety officer. Provides that a school safety officer may detain a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that an offense, other than an ordinance violation, is being committed. Provides that a school safety officer may carry a firearm as long as the officer is certified under specified provisions of the Illinois Police Training Act. Adds references to school safety officers throughout the Code. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - Rule 19(a) / 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 Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to a student in a school, the student is at least 18 years of age, the person is at least 4 years older than the student, 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.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. In the amendatory changes to the Criminal Code of 2012: (1) changes definitions of "authority figure", "educator", and "school"; (2) adds a definition of "student"; (3) changes the elements of the offense of abuse by an educator or authority figure to provide that the person is at least 4 years older than the student; (3) deletes consent of the victim is not a defense to abuse by an educator or authority figure; and (4) provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person is an educator or authority figure at the school (rather than holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to a student in a school), the student is at least 18 years of age and is enrolled or was previously enrolled in the school within the past year, the person is at least 4 years older than the student, and the person either: (i) commits an act of sexual conduct with the student; or (ii) commits an act of sexual penetration with the student.

House Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. In the amendatory changes to the Criminal Code of 2012: (1) changes definitions of "authority figure", "educator", and "school"; (2) adds a definition of "student"; and (3) provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person is an educator or authority figure at the school (rather than holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to a student in a 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: (i) commits an act of sexual conduct with the student; or (ii) commits an act of sexual penetration with the student.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/16/2024 - Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Requires the world language endorsement on a Professional Educator License to include American Sign Language under rules of the State Board of Education.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Authorizes the issuance of short-term substitute teaching licenses to applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an unaccredited institution of higher education. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/16/2024 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Authorizes the issuance of a college-level endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations if an applicant (i) holds at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, (ii) possesses an educational background that allows the applicant to teach college-level coursework in either a bachelor's degree or master's degree granting program, and (iii) has passed a content area test in the subject to be taught by the applicant. Provides that the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of being issued and may be renewed. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/16/2024 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of sexual misconduct with a student. Provides that a person commits sexual misconduct with a student when he or she is or was an employee of a school and commits sexual misconduct with a student who, at the time the employee was employed by the school, attended the school. Provides that the consent of the student is not a defense to a prosecution under this provision. Provides that a student is deemed incapable of consent, for purposes of this provision, when he or she is a student who attended the school while the employee was employed at the school. Provides that it is not a defense to a violation of this provision that the student was of the age to give consent to sexual penetration or sexual conduct in circumstances not involving a violation of this provision. Provides that a person convicted of violating this provision shall immediately forfeit his or her employment with a school and may not subsequently be employed at a school. Provides that a violation is a Class 3 felony. Provides exemptions. Defines "school" as a public or private elementary or secondary school or a school that operates grades kindergarten through 12. Defines "sexual misconduct" as any act, including, but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by an employee or agent of the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school with direct contact with a student that is directed toward or with a student to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the student. Defines other terms.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/19/2024 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tony M. McCombie

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that the eligibility of an annuitant or TRS benefit recipient to participate in the program of health benefits established under specified provisions of the Act shall not be suspended for any period during which he or she accepts employment from a school board or other employer in accordance with a provision of the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code that allows annuitants to accept employment as a teacher without impairing retirement status if certain conditions are met, including a limit on the number of paid days the annuitant may work, or a provision for annuitants returning to teach in a subject shortage area. Provides that an annuitant or TRS benefit recipient shall not be deemed an active teacher based solely on the annuitant's or TRS benefit recipient's employment exceeding the limit on the number of paid days an annuitant may work without impairing retirement status. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code to make conforming changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/31/2024 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to alleviate the financial burden of student teaching and to encourage students to pursue teaching careers to alleviate this State's teacher shortage. Provides that to participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher no later than June 1, 2025 or no later than June 1 each year thereafter. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1, 2025 and no later than July 1 each year thereafter and all eligible students shall be participants in the stipend program. Provides that no later than August 1, 2025 and no later than August 1 each year thereafter, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that the educator preparation program shall distribute stipend funds using the standard methods for allocating State-based financial aid or as wages for employment to each eligible student in monthly installments. Sets forth additional provisions concerning the distribution of funds. Provides for rulemaking.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes provisions specifying notification deadlines. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $2,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters per academic year, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of funds to eligible cooperating teachers. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible cooperating teacher from participating in the stipend program or receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning cooperating teacher training.

House Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that "salary" includes stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Makes changes concerning how funds are to be distributed under the student teaching stipend program. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall disburse funds to the State Board of Education, who shall disburse funds to each school district or early childhood education provider employing an eligible cooperating teacher (instead of having the Board of Higher Education disburse funds to educator preparation programs employing an eligible cooperating teacher). Makes related changes. Makes changes concerning when the report shall be completed. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall provide guidance and technical assistance to educator preparation programs on the administration of the stipend program. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/21/2024 - Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Natalie Toro

Amends the School Code. Makes stylistic changes in provisions concerning institutes or inservice training workshops. In provisions concerning inservice training programs, removes the requirement that the training regarding health conditions of students include the chronic health conditions of students and provides that school district employees who are trained to respond to trauma under the provisions shall be immune from civil liability in the use of a trauma kit unless the action constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that training regarding the implementation of trauma-informed practices under the provisions concerning institutes or inservice training workshops satisfies the requirements under the provisions concerning inservice training programs. Removes certain provisions that require a school board to conduct inservice training for all school district employees on the methods to respond to trauma. Makes technical changes having a revisory function. Effective January 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

7/1/2024 - Effective Date January 1, 2025

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, provides that an applicant for a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement for non-teaching speech-language pathologist may satisfy the requirement of passing a test of content area knowledge by passing the national Praxis test in speech-language pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service. Provides that an applicant for a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement for non-teaching speech-language pathologist may complete a school internship, externship, or practicum prior to taking the Praxis test, but must pass the Praxis test in speech-language pathology prior to licensure.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/19/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that with respect to a week of unemployment beginning on or after March 15, 2020 (rather than beginning on or after March 15, 2020, and before September 4, 2021 (including any week of unemployment beginning on or after January 1, 2021 and on or before June 25, 2021)) 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 under specified circumstances, as long as the individual is otherwise eligible for benefits.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2024 - Referred to House Rules

Creates the Paraprofessional Fast Track to Teaching Degree Pilot Program Act. Makes findings. Provides that the Paraprofessional Fast Track to Teaching Degree Pilot Program is created for a 2-year degree pathway by which paraprofessional educators may enroll to achieve the education requirements to attain a professional educator license in this State, which shall comply with the standards of the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year or, if funds are not appropriated for the Program that academic year, beginning with the academic year in which funds are appropriated for the Program, the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall coordinate with each other to assign a qualified individual to serve as a Program director to develop the curriculum for the Program. Provides that one public elementary or public secondary school and one public university in this State shall be chosen to develop a program for transitioning paraprofessionals to teachers. Includes the core components of the Program. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education must submit a report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Reference Bureau detailing the impact of the Program and then the Program is dissolved and the Act is repealed. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning sexual misconduct in schools, provides that guidelines established for certain situations and all available methods for how to report staff-student boundary violations within a school and to external agencies must be posted on the website, if any, of each school district, charter school, or nonpublic school and must be included in any staff, student, or parent handbook provided by the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school. In provisions concerning an employment history review, provides that a job applicant shall provide the name, address, telephone number, and other relevant contact information of the applicant's current employer only if the applicant has direct contact with children or students at the applicant's current employer. Provides that for a substitute employee licensed by the State Board of Education and seeking employment in more than one school district, the employment history review shall be conducted by the regional office of education or intermediate service center in which the school districts are located. Provides for when this review is required and how the review remains valid, and provides for immunity for regional offices of education and intermediate service centers.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/14/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning holidays, provides that no deduction shall be made from the time or compensation of a school employee, including an educational support personnel employee, on account of any legal or special holiday during which time the employee is contractually employed (instead of on account of any legal or special holiday in which that employee would have otherwise been scheduled to work but for the legal or special holiday).

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Dual Credit Quality Act. Makes changes concerning high school and community college partnership agreements, the Dual Credit Committee, instructor and other standards for dual credit courses, and the data in reports made by institutions of higher learning. Provides that a Dual Credit Instructor Endorsement Framework shall be developed through a committee involving collaboration between the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education by December 31, 2024. Sets forth the membership of the committee. Provides that the Framework shall establish criteria for evaluating instructors on the basis of academic credentials, progress toward academic credentials, equivalent experience, or some combination of these. Sets forth what the criteria shall include and what the Framework may do. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as introduced with the following changes. Provides that a Dual Credit Instructor Qualification Framework (instead of a Dual Credit Instructor Endorsement Framework) shall be developed through a committee involving collaboration between the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education by December 31, 2024. Changes the membership of the committee and what the Framework shall include. Makes related changes concerning school district and community college partnership agreements, the Dual Credit Committee, and instructor and other standards for dual credit courses. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Makes changes concerning high school and community college partnership agreements, out-of-state dual credit contracts, and standards concerning dual credit courses. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall conduct a study to examine dual credit students and their short-term and long-term outcomes, including determining how differing types and levels of credit-hour achievement influence college enrollment, persistence, advancement, and completion, either at a public community college or public university. Sets forth requirements concerning the study. Changes the membership of the Dual Credit Committee and requirements concerning the Dual Credit Instructor Qualification Framework. Makes grammatical and stylistic changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/20/2024 - Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Win Stoller

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows an applicant to qualify for a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License if the applicant has retired in good standing while holding a valid paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/5/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Removes the restriction providing that no candidate may be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record until the candidate has passed the applicable content area test. Provides that the Teacher Performance Assessment Task Force shall report to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly on or before October 31, 2024 (rather than August 1, 2024). Provides that the State Board of Education's rules for scoring the content area knowledge test may include scoring and retaking of each test section separately and independently. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

6/26/2024 - Sent to Governor for Signature

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that all food handlers employed by a restaurant, retail food establishment, nursing home, school, or day care center and certified food service sanitation managers employed by a restaurant, retail food establishment, nursing home, school, or day care center (instead of all certified food service sanitation managers employed by a restaurant) must receive or obtain training in basic allergen awareness principles within 30 days after employment and every 3 years thereafter. Defines "retail food establishment".

  CURRENT STATUS

2/8/2024 - Referred to House Rules

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Specifies the annual reporting requirements of the Illinois Labor Relations Board and Illinois Educational and Labor Relations Board. Provides that the Board shall maintain the following schedule upon the filing of unfair labor practice charges filed under this Act: (i) complete the investigation and issue a complaint, dismissal or deferral within 30 days of the charges being filed; (ii) if a complaint is issued, a hearing shall be scheduled to begin within 30 days of its issuance; (iii) post-hearing briefs shall be issued within 30 days of the close of the hearing; and (iv) recommended decisions and orders shall be issued within 45 days of the submission of post-hearing briefs.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board, at the end of every State fiscal year, shall make a report that includes the number of unfair labor practice charge cases at the end of the fiscal year that have been pending before the Board between 1 and 100 days, 101 and 150 days, 151 and 200 days, 201 and 250 days, 251 and 300 days, 301 and 350 days, 351 and 400 days, 401 and 450 days, 451 and 500 days, 501 and 550 days, 551 and 600 days, 601 and 650 days, 651 and 700 days, and over 701 days, and other data. Provides that the report shall include the Board's progress in meeting timeliness goals, including specified data. Provides that the Board shall adopt goals (i) to ensure effective enforcement through timely and quality consideration and resolution of unfair labor practices with appropriate remedies and (ii) to protect employee free choice with timely and effective mechanisms to resolve questions concerning representation. Provides that the Board shall adopt timeliness goals for the processing of unfair labor practice charges (rather than maintain a certain schedule upon the filing of unfair labor practice charges), including (i) to complete the investigation and issue a complaint, dismissal, or deferral within 100 days (rather than 30 days) of the charges being filed, and, in the case of an appeal, to issue decisions within 90 days of the completion of the Board's process for filing appeals, and (ii) to schedule hearings, upon the issuance of complaints, to begin within 60 days of a complaint's issuance, to issue recommended decisions and orders within 120 days of the close of record, and, if exceptions to recommended decisions and orders are filed, issue Board decisions within 90 days of the completion of the Board's process for filing exceptions (rather than post hearing briefs to be issued within 30 days of the close of hearing and recommended decisions and orders to be issued within 45 days of the submission of post-hearing briefs, no longer than 150 days after the filing of charges, with certain permitted extensions).

  CURRENT STATUS

6/21/2024 - Sent to Governor for Signature

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Creates a Provisional Educator License and provides that a Provisional Educator License may be issued to persons who have completed the required education coursework in a State-approved educator preparation program, an educator preparation program approved by another state, or comparable educator program in another country, have completed 2 years of student teaching with satisfactory evaluation of performance, and met any other requirements set by the State Board of Education, but have failed to pass a content area knowledge test under the Code. Provides that a Provisional Educator License is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance and may not be renewed. In provisions concerning educator testing, removes provisions stating that there shall be no exceptions for passing a test of content area knowledge. Removes provisions stating that no candidate shall be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record until he or she has passed the applicable content area test. Sets forth exceptions as to when a candidate seeking licensure may not be required to pass a test of content area knowledge. Provides that a candidate seeking licensure for a Professional Educator License may either complete the required testing under the Code or have held a Provisional Educator License for 2 years (instead of completing the required testing under the Code).

  CURRENT STATUS

4/19/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to reduce financial barriers into the teaching profession and increase the quality of the student teaching experience in order to better prepare teaching candidates for the classroom and increase teacher retention. Provides that to participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1. Provides that all eligible students shall be enrolled in the stipend program. Provides that subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 for one academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning funding if the amount appropriated for the program is insufficient to fund all eligible students. Provides that subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $1,500 per academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that a cooperating teacher may receive professional development hours for completing cooperating teacher training that counts towards the cooperating teacher's license renewal or Gateways credential. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible teacher from participating in the program or receiving a stipend from the program. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the State Board of Educations shall report and evaluate about the program to the Governor and General Assembly on or before June 30, 2028 and each June 30 thereafter. Provides for rulemaking.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/29/2024 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board may allow one member representing the Board of Higher Education and one member representing the Illinois Community College Board to serve as nonvoting, ex officio members on the Board. Specifies that certain community colleges are recognized schools or institutions.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/19/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Creates the School Social Work Associate License. Provides that a School Social Work Associate License may be issued to an applicant who (i) holds a degree from a graduate program of social work that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education; and (ii) has an active license through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act as either a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker. Provides that a social work associate shall be authorized to perform responsibilities associated with traditional social work practice, subject to the restrictions in the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act regarding independent clinical practice, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions in a multi-tiered system of supports. Provides that all responsibilities of a social work associate shall be performed in consultation with an individual who holds a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement in the area of school social work. Provides that a social work associate is not authorized to perform Tier 3 multi-tiered system of supports interventions, or participate in the individualized education program process or the Section 504 plan process for any student with a disability. Provides that a social work associate may not be employed by a school district or any other entity to replace any presently employed Professional Educator License holder with a school support personnel endorsement who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason. Provides that an applicant for a social work associate endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is not required to pass a content area test under the Code. Makes conforming changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/17/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Urges the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to support the state goal of increasing the number and diversity of Illinois' educator workforce by collaborating with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to develop and launch a state-wide teacher recruitment system internally, possibly with the support from an outside vendor, that will be available to the public by July 1, 2024 and will support interested candidates statewide to apply to, enroll in, and complete Illinois' Teacher Preparation Programs and succeed in their eventual job placement.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Corrects a typo.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/28/2023 - RESOLUTION ADOPTED Adopted by Voice Vote.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop a school district-level Children's Adversity Index to measure community childhood trauma exposure for children by December 30, 2024. Requires teachers institutes to provide instruction on trauma-informed practices and certain defined terms. Adds information that must be included in the State Board of Education's school report cards. Requires in-service training to include certain defined terms. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education shall establish a committee of no more than 21 members to make recommendations to the State Board of Education to change the professional educator licensure requirements and Professional Educator License renewal requirements for teachers to include specified requirements. Sets forth the membership of the committee. Reestablishes the Whole Child Task Force created by Public Act 101-654. Provides that the Whole Child Task Force shall reconvene by March 2027 to review progress on a March 2022 report's recommendations and shall submit a new report on its assessment of the State's progress and any additional recommendations to the General Assembly, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the State Board of Education, and the Governor on or before December 31, 2027. Provides that the Whole Child Task Force provisions are repealed on February 1, 2029. Makes other changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/1/2023 - Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr

Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, LGBTQ+ inclusivity training shall be required as part of the professional development leadership training for school board members. Provides that the training regarding LGBTQ+ inclusivity practices must include information that is relevant to and within the scope of the duties of a school board member. Provides that such information may include, but is not limited to: (1) understanding the difference between sex, gender, and sexual orientation; (2) knowledge of family structures beyond the heteronormative structure; (3) nondiscriminatory education on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior; (4) understanding the struggles of LGBTQ+ youth in schools; (5) the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals regarding history, social sciences, arts, and humanities; and (6) the effects and risks of outing a student's gender identity or sexual orientation to the student's parents.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/24/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the State Employee, State Universities, and Downstate Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member may establish up to 5 years of creditable service for periods during which the participant rendered contractual services to any agency of the State, regardless of whether the services were rendered on a part-time or full-time basis if the member applies for the credit and makes a specified contribution. Provides that a member may not establish such service credit if the member has service credit in any other pension fund or retirement system under the Code during the period for which service credit is sought.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall consider applications for forgiving portions of qualified applicant's education loans each year. Provides that 10% of the applicant's yearly loan balance shall be forgiven each year for 5 years or until 50% of the applicant's outstanding balance at the time of the initial application is paid off. Effective July 1, 2024.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Adds certain data that must be included in school report cards prepared by the State Superintendent of Education. In provisions concerning school social workers, school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and speech-language pathologists, sets limits on caseloads. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/6/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a specialized educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who is employed in a teaching position at an accredited institution of higher education in this State that has officially announced its intent to cease all academic programming at the time the announcement was officially made or was employed in a teaching position at an accredited institution of higher education in this State that has ceased all academic programming within 5 years prior to or on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, meets specified criteria. Provides that the specialized educator endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed. Provides that the holder of a specialized educator endorsement shall be permitted to teach in the content area in which he or she previously taught at the accredited institution of higher education. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/9/2024 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding the types of licenses, provides that applicants for a Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate degree (instead of a bachelor's degree) or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or must be enrolled in an approved educator preparation program in this State and have earned at least 90 credit hours. Effective July 1, 2023.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/17/2023 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

Amends the School Code. Provides that for any 5-year renewal cycle that includes the 2022-2023 school year, each professional educator licensee shall complete a total of 100 hours of professional development during the 5-year renewal cycle in order to renew the license (rather than being required to complete a total of 120 hours). For the 2022-2023 school year only, provides that a licensee with an administrative endorsement who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day is not required to complete an Illinois Administrators' Academy course (rather than being required to complete one course). In provisions related to the content of evaluation plans, allows a school district to waive, for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years only, the evaluation requirement of any teacher in contractual continued service whose performance during the last school year in which the teacher was evaluated was rated as either "excellent" or "proficient". In regard to rules adopted by the State Board of Education concerning educator evaluations, for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years only, provides that factors related to methods of measuring student growth may not be used in any educator evaluation. In regard to the development of an evaluation plan for principals and assistant principals, allows a school district to waive, for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years only, the evaluation requirement of any principal or assistant principal whose performance during the last school year in which the teacher was evaluated was rated as either "excellent" or "proficient". Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/8/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that if an employing board determines to dismiss any teacher who currently holds a summative evaluation rating of "Proficient" or "Excellent" during the probationary period (instead of determines to dismiss a teacher in the last year of a specified probationary period), the employing board must provide a written notice for dismissal with specific reasons for dismissal. Provides that any full-time teacher who does not receive written notice from the employing board at least 45 days before the end of any school term and whose performance does not require dismissal (instead of whose performance does not require dismissal after the fourth probationary year) shall be re-employed for the following school term. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/11/2023 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may offer the school resource officer course to a qualified retired law enforcement officer for the purpose of employment at a school or school district and may issue a certificate or waiver for the school resource officer course in the same manner as provided for any other officer. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2024, a school or school district may employ a qualified retired law enforcement officer who obtains a certificate of completion or approved waiver under the Illinois Police Training Act to carry out the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school resource officer may carry a firearm during the performance of the officer's duties at a school or in a school district. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/8/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program. Provides that any money appropriated to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for scholarship awards for a particular academic year that remains unused at the end of that academic year shall be deposited into the Student Teaching Fund. Requires the Commission to establish and administer a student teaching stipend program in which the Commission receives and considers applications for a stipend from scholarship recipients who are student teaching. Subject to appropriation from the Student Teaching Fund, provides that the Commission shall select stipend recipients from among applicants who are in financial need. Provides that the amount and payment of any stipend shall be determined by the Commission, and provides for rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Student Teaching Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that in fixing the salaries of employees, a school board or the governing board of a joint agreement shall pay to employees an hourly rate of not less than (i) $20 for the 2024-2025 school year, (ii) $21 for the 2025-2026 school year, and (iii) $22 for the 2026-2027 school year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each school year thereafter shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Provides that "employee" means any employee of a school district or joint agreement who provides educational support services to the district or joint agreement, including, but not limited to, custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, or paraprofessional educators. Provides that an employee's salary shall include any amount paid by the school district or joint agreement on behalf of the employee, as employee contributions, to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/13/2023 - Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all internships for school social workers must be paid internships. Provides that subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts to assist in the funding of these paid internships. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program. Provides that higher priority shall be given to schools that demonstrate a shortage of school social workers, which is determined by the average ratio of school social workers to students in the target school district over the preceding 3 school years. Provides that the State Board of Education shall produce an annual report on the program. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education, shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to colleges or universities in the State to fund field placements for social workers. Provides that Subject to appropriation, colleges and universities shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program. Provides that colleges and universities, upon receiving funding, shall provide applications to students eligible for this funding. Provides that the college or university shall give priority to applicants who are a member of a racial minority. Provides that each college or university that receives funds shall provide an annual report to the State Board of Higher Education, and the Board of Higher Education shall publish those reports on the State Board's website. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Removes the repeal date for the short-term substitute teacher training program. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning short-term substitute teacher licenses, removes the June 30, 2023 expiration date for issuing short-term substitute teacher licenses. Removes the licensing fees for short-term substitute teacher, substitute teaching, and professional teaching licenses.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district must employ a sufficient number of school psychologists and school nurses to address the needs of the school district's students and schools, but no less than a student-to-social worker and student-to-nurse ratio of 750 to 1. For school nurses, provides that consideration for school nurse staffing should include the complex health needs of students, needs for continuous professional nursing services, the number of free and reduced lunch students in a school building, and the average number of medical emergencies at a school per year. Effective June 30, 2023.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/10/2023 - Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a teacher recruitment and retention program, which shall encourage both new and experienced teachers to seek employment with qualifying public schools by providing for a refundable income tax credit to each participating teacher in the amount of $3,000 per school year for no more than 5 consecutive school years. Contains requirements for participating school districts and participating teachers. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act establishing the $3,000 tax credit for individuals designated by the State Board of Education as a participating teacher in the teacher recruitment and retention program. Effective July 1, 2023.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the school board of a school district of a public elementary or secondary school or a non-public elementary or secondary school may develop a policy to permit the carrying of a firearm by an employee of the school, licensed under the Act, in any building or on any real property or parking area under the control of the public or non-public elementary or secondary school. Provides that the policy must contain safe storage provisions for the firearm. Those provisions must include securing the firearm in a locked box or container that cannot be accessed by students. Changes "private" elementary or secondary school references in the Act to "non-public" elementary or secondary school.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/23/2023 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney

Amends the School Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, provides that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all teachers shall be paid based on the federal General Schedule classification at the GS-9 level. Provides that if the teacher's base salary does not exceed $45,000, then the teacher shall be paid starting at $45,000. Provides that if the increase in the salary from the federal GS-9 level has not exceeded the starting salary for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to one-half of the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year, the teacher's salary shall increase by a percentage equal to one-half of the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items. Provides that public school teachers shall be paid for any time spent taking a continuing education course.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/10/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may permit any full-time employee who primarily performs his or her duties on school grounds to carry a firearm while on school grounds if the employee has received written permission to carry a firearm by the school district. Provides that the person must have undergone a psychiatric evaluation and a drug test as determined by the school board and possess a valid license to carry a concealed firearm in the State under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the employee must undergo periodic psychiatric evaluations and drug tests to continue to carry a firearm on school grounds. Provides that notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a school district may not require any educator, as a condition of employment, to carry a firearm on school grounds. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Exempts these employees from violations of the unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon statutes for carrying a firearm in a school under the provisions added to the School Code. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/10/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district that offers to the school district's employees a retirement savings plan under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may enter into a contract with only one vendor to administer the plan. Provides that a vendor shall be selected, with the approval of the employees' exclusive bargaining representative, if any, or a committee of the employees' exclusive bargaining representatives, through a competitive bidding process. Limits contracts with vendors to no more than 7 years. Provides that school districts that, on the effective date of the amendatory Act, have a contract with a vendor shall, by no later than July 1, 2026, begin the competitive bidding process. Provides that the renewal or extension of a contract with a vendor that is in effect on the effective date of the amendatory Act is subject to the competitive bidding process.

  CURRENT STATUS

6/26/2024 - Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments

Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of Illinois Pension Code. Specifies that the provision that requires an employer to make an additional contribution to the System for certain salary increases greater than 6% excludes salary increases necessary to bring a school board in compliance with the changes to the minimum salary provisions of the School Code under the amendatory Act. Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the minimum salary, provides that the minimum salary shall be $50,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, $55,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, and $60,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall certify and publish the minimum salary rate to be used for the 2027-2028 school year (rather than for the 2024-2025 school year) no later than September 30, 2026 (rather than September 30, 2023); makes conforming changes.

  CURRENT STATUS

10/25/2023 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. With regard to the Section concerning contractual continued service, removes provisions specifying that the probationary periods are only for service in which a teacher holds a Professional Educator License. Effective July 1, 2024.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/10/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. By June 1, 2025, requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, to establish, by rule, a Montessori education endorsement to be added to a Professional Educator License. Requires the rules adopted by the State Board of Education to outline the requirements for obtaining the endorsement. Provides that these provisions are inoperative on and after January 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Amends the School Code. Provides that school boards shall allow all educators to have daily continuous uninterrupted individual classroom planning time. Provides that the planning period shall be equal to one class period but no less than 45 minutes in duration. Provides that this time requirement applies to educators who are in contact with students for 50% or more of their contracted workday. Provides that, during this planning period, educators may not be forced to substitute in other areas of the building or district when another educator is absent or a vacancy exists and may not be forced to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences of any kind. Provides that if an educator chooses to substitute or attend a meeting, training, or conference during their guaranteed planning period of their own free will, the educator shall be compensated at a rate of pay that is negotiated between the local board of education and local association of a state teacher association.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/23/2024 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall provide stipends for teachers who participate in externships with a manufacturing company in this State.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall pay one-half of the salary of an employee that is employed by a manufacturing company and working within a school district at a high school as a licensed career and technical education teacher. Provides that the school board of a school district that intends to hire a manufacturing employee shall first notify any labor organization that has entered into a collective bargaining agreement with the school district of the school board's intent to hire such an employee. Provides that if there are eligible employees in the applicable bargaining unit, then the school board shall offer to hire an employee who is a member of the applicable bargaining unit. Provides that if there are no eligible employees in the applicable bargaining unit, then the labor organization shall notify the school district and affirm that the position is unable to be filled by any members of the applicable bargaining unit.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish and administer a student teaching stipend program. Subject to appropriation, requires the Commission to receive and consider applications for additional funds from recipients of scholarships who are student teaching. Provides that the Commission shall select stipend recipients from among applicants who are in financial need. Provides that certain recipients may receive an additional payment for other expenses during the year in which the recipient is engaged in student teaching. Provides for rulemaking.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

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 Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to a student in a school, the student is at least 18 years of age, the person is at least 4 years older than the student, 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 is a Class 3 felony for the first offense and a Class 2 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. Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Includes abuse by an educator or authority figure under the definitions of "sex offense" and "sexual predator".

  CURRENT STATUS

4/9/2024 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that scholarships awarded under the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program may be granted to individuals employed as teachers who agree to pursue a master's degree at a qualified institution of higher learning in order to teach dual credit courses at a secondary school. Provides that for any individual receiving a scholarship to teach dual credit courses, following the completion of the program of study, the individual must teach at least one dual credit course per school year in a secondary school in this State for a period of at least 5 years. Provides that individuals who fail to comply shall refund all of the awarded scholarships to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, whether payments were made directly to the institutions of higher learning or to the individuals, and this condition shall be agreed to in writing by the scholarship recipients at the time the scholarship is awarded. Provides that no individual may be required to refund tuition payments if his or her failure to teach a dual credit course in a secondary school is the result of financial conditions within school districts. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Makes stylistic changes in provisions concerning institutes or inservice training workshops. In provisions concerning inservice training programs, removes the requirement that the training regarding health conditions of students include the chronic health conditions of students and provides that school district employees who are trained to respond to trauma under the provisions shall be immune from civil liability in the use of a trauma kit unless the action constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that training regarding the implementation of trauma-informed practices under the provisions concerning institutes or inservice training workshops satisfies the requirements under the provisions concerning inservice training programs. Removes certain provisions that require a school board to conduct inservice training for all school district employees on the methods to respond to trauma. Makes technical changes having a revisory function. Effective January 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/15/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to alleviate the financial burden of student teaching, to encourage students to pursue teaching careers to alleviate this State's teacher shortage, and to encourage teachers to be matched with student teachers. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $2,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters per academic year, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of funds to eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible cooperating teacher from participating in the stipend program or receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning cooperating teacher training. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, shall submit a report evaluating the impact of the stipend program on educator preparation programs to the General Assembly and Governor on or before June 30, 2028. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, at least once every 2 years, a school board shall conduct in-service training for all school district employees on how to identify trafficking in persons under the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes technical changes having a revisory function. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/15/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning holidays, provides that no deduction shall be made from the time or compensation of a school employee, including an educational support personnel employee, on account of any legal or special holiday during which time the employee is contractually employed (instead of on account of any legal or special holiday in which that employee would have otherwise been scheduled to work but for the legal or special holiday).

  CURRENT STATUS

2/7/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that on July 1, 2024, the State Superintendent of Education shall convene a Performance Evaluation Advisory Committee for the purpose of maintaining and improving the State evaluator training and pre-qualification program in this State. Provides that the Committee shall be staffed by the State Board of Education. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Provides that members of the Committee shall be nominated by program providers and appointed by the State Superintendent. Provides that the Committee shall meet initially at the call of the State Superintendent and shall select one member as chairperson at its initial meeting. Provides that the Committee shall meet at least quarterly and may also meet at the call of the chairperson of the Committee. Provides that the Committee shall advise the State Board of Education on the continued implementation of the evaluator training and pre-qualification program in this State, which may include the development and delivery of the program's existing and new administrators' academies, gathering feedback from program instructors and participants, sharing best practices, consulting with the State Board on any proposed rule changes regarding evaluator training, and other subjects as determined by the chairperson of the Committee. Effective June 15, 2024.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/8/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning Substitute Teaching Licenses, requires an applicant who is enrolled in an approved educator preparation program to have either earned at least 75 credit hours or completed 3 semesters in an educator preparation program (rather than requiring the applicant to have earned at least 90 credit hours). Provides that a school district may not require an individual who retired within the last 5 years while holding a valid Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher if substitute teaching for no more than one year. Provides that a retired educator may not be charged an application fee for a Substitute Teaching License if certain conditions are met.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/9/2024 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. In the provisions requiring State Board of Education develop and make available training opportunities for educators in teaching reading, provides that the materials may include the creation of an online portal to train educators in teaching Black English language learners and Black English as a second language. Provides that the portal shall aid educators in teaching students accustomed to using the African American English vernacular, teach about the history and development of African American English vernacular, and include evidence-based methods in teaching literacy to these students accustomed to African American English vernacular. Effective immediately.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/9/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that if the State Board declares a teacher shortage, then an applicant shall be deemed to have passed a test of content area knowledge. Provides that the State Board shall adopt rules to define a teacher shortage, and shall post and publicly display this definition on the State Board's Internet website.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/9/2024 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a librarian recruitment and retention program, which shall encourage both new and experienced librarians to seek employment with qualifying public schools by providing for a refundable income tax credit to each participating librarian in the amount of $3,000 per school year for no more than 5 consecutive school years. Contains requirements for participating school districts and participating librarians. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act establishing the $3,000 tax credit for individuals designated by the State Board of Education as a participating librarian in the librarian recruitment and retention program. Effective July 1, 2024.

  CURRENT STATUS

5/3/2024 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments