Delivered via email: April 8, 2025
Oppose HB1358: Education Waivers
The Illinois General Assembly is planning a committee hearing April 9 at 8 a.m. on HB1358 (Rep. Chung), Amendment 2, which would significantly limit a district’s ability to use and renew physical education (PE) waivers. This bill started as a task force to review the waiver process but has evolved into an outright ban on long-term PE waivers, stripping local control from school boards.The legislation will directly impact districts that utilize waivers to create flexibility in scheduling, ensuring students have opportunities to take important courses like driver’s education, art, music, and career & technical education (CTE) will be negatively impacted. The bill removes that flexibility and forces a one-size-fits-all approach that does not consider individual district needs.
Please check to see if your legislator is on the House Education Policy Committee and contact them to voice your opposition.
If HB1358, Amendment 1, passes:
- Districts will only be allowed a single, non-renewable three-year PE waiver, severely limiting your ability to adapt to student needs.
- All other waiver renewal periods will be shortened, making long-term planning more difficult.
- Students will have fewer opportunities for essential courses like driver’s education, music, art, and CTE.
- Scheduling flexibility will be reduced, making it harder to accommodate graduation requirements and facility constraints.