Delivered via email: March 21, 2025
The House Education Policy Committee met twice this week, with the first meeting dominated by a large turnout opposing HB2827 (Rep. Terra Costa Howard), a bill that impacts families that homeschool their children. This legislation has minimal impact on K-12 public schools but does seek to create a formal framework for homeschooling by requiring homeschool administrators to submit a Homeschool Declaration Form, set curriculum standards, and maintain educational portfolios. The turnout by the opposition to the bill was immense with an estimated 8,000 people coming to the Capitol. Despite over 49,000 witness slips in opposition, the bill passed out of committee on a partisan vote.
The second Education Policy Committee meeting was highlighted by a discussion on HB1237 (Rep. Maurice West III), which would prohibit the use of Native American mascots, with limited exceptions. IASB testified on the concerns with the bill as drafted, including the proposed timeline for retiring a mascot, minimizing fiscal impact on local districts, and the clarifying the process for obtaining an exemption. The bill passed out of committee with a commitment to continue discussions in the coming weeks. HB3772 (Rep. William “Will” Davis), an initiative of ISBE, was heard in the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Committee. This legislation bans the use of expulsion in grades K-2 and requires the district superintendent to approve all suspensions for grades K-2 for 3 or more days. This bill passed out of committee on partisan vote despite school management opposition. The bill will be held while negotiations continue.
Both the Senate Education Committee and the House Higher Education Committee passed identical direct admissions bills, SB2448 (Sen. Christopher Belt) and HB3522 (Rep. Katie Stuart), this week. These bills are an initiative of Governor Pritzker and establish a direct admissions program to automatically admit qualifying students into Illinois public institutions of Higher Education (excluding the University of Illinois Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago). While this is an exciting initiative, IASB is working to ensure the bill’s implementation timeline is manageable for school districts and that any transfer of student data is compliant with state and federal student privacy laws. IASB will continue working with the sponsors to resolve those issues.
The Senate Education Committee voted on several bills, including SB1519 (Sen. Karina Villa), which prohibits the use of municipal ticketing to students in schools. The legislation originated two years ago, after an investigative series from ProPublica and the Chicago tribune highlighting the negative impact of this practice on students and their families. After years of negotiating this bill, a future amendment will be forthcoming and should bring IASB to neutral on the legislation. The Senate Education Committee also advanced legislation to limit cell phone usage in schools. SCA1 to SB2427 (Sen. Cristina Castro) requires school districts to adopt a policy that prohibits student use of cellphones during instructional time, with some exceptions such as emergencies and for technology used by students with disabilities.
Excluding shell bills (bills that make no substantive change to law), there were 382 bills that moved out of House committees this week and 137 bills that moved out of Senate committees. The House will return on March 18, and the Senate will return on April 1.
HB1596 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) requires certified pesticide applicators to give notice 72 hours prior to application to schools. The legislation passed out of Energy & Environment Committee 16-6-0.
HB2461 (Rep. Jaime Andrade, Jr.) sets aside 10% of the net proceeds of automated speed enforcement systems to schools or parks. The bill passed out of Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee 12-0-0.
HB2502 (Rep. La Shawn K. Ford) prohibits student ticketing in schools and requires an MOU for School Resource Officers. Passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0.
HB2521 (Rep. Joyce Mason) requires schools to administer fingerprint-based criminal background checks for game officials and referees. HB2521 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0. IASB is working with the sponsor on an amendment that would be less burdensome on school districts.
HB2651 (Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl) requires the State Board of Education to publish, on their website, a list of all days affected by cultural, religious, or other observances by February 1 of each year. HB2651 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB2801 (Rep. Tony M. McCombie) states the State Board of Education shall create a list of Illinois organizations offering externships, internships, and volunteer opportunities in STEAM. HB2801 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0 and is being held on 2nd Reading for an amendment.
HB2827 (Rep. Terra Costa Howard) is discussed above. HB2827 passed out of Education Policy Committee 8-4-1.
HB2950 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) creates a Provisional In-State Educator endorsement. HB2950 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 6-3-0.
HB2960 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) provides that middle and high schools provide instruction on mental health in health education courses. Passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0. This bill is being held on 2nd reading for a clarifying amendment which would incorporate this into an existing statute.
HB2962 (Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl) creates a third division for certain motor vehicles, including Multifunction School Activity Buses (MFSABs) and creates a training course for those vehicles. The legislation passed out of Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee 12-0-0.
HB2970 (Rep. Anna Moeller) allows for teachers to grieve a notice to remedy as well as require specificity on the notice, as well as requires the notice to remedy be removed after 3 years. IASB testified in opposition. The bill passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 6-3-0.
HB2997 (Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid) provides that schools shall include Arab American history as a unit of instruction in its curriculum. The bill passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0.
HB3026 (Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid) requires the State Board of Education to adopt comprehensive guidance for school districts on starting new dual language education programs and expanding existing programs. HB3026 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0. IASB was opposed to the original bill as it mandated an online bilingual platform and marketing campaign but are neutral with the recently filed amendment as it removed all mandates.
HB3170 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) adds five administrative or faculty members of community colleges to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. HB3170 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3247 (Rep. Jillian Jimenez) would codify Plyler v Doe into Illinois law. This would guarantee a free education for all students regardless of citizenship status. Additionally, the bill would require administrators to choose between complying with this state law or potentially obstructing justice by denying a federal warrant. IASB is opposed to the bill as it could and is working with the sponsor to identify a solution. This bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on partisan leave 9-4-0.
HB3250 (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr) updates to the State Global Scholar Certification Program within the School Code. HB3250 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3275 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) requires coaches to obtain and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). The sponsor agreed to hold it on 2nd while compromise language is negotiated. The bill passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0.
HB3289 (Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr.) requires the Secretary of State to compile proof of insurance forms for school buses and first division vehicles. HB3289 passed out of Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee 12-0-0.
HB3376 (Rep. Michelle Mussman) requires the State Board of Education to provide regulatory guidance on IEP guidance. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on leave 13-0-0. The sponsor agreed to hold the bill while language is negotiated.
HB3377 (Rep. Michelle Mussman) requires school districts to report data to ISBE on homeless students, including specific expenditures made, activities funded, and any additional auxiliary funding they may have received. The bill passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3440 (Rep. Lyndsey LaPointe) is the next step in mandating mental health screening in all K-12 students by the 2027-2028 school year. IASB opposed this bill because of the vagueness of the phase-in plan. The bill passed Mental Health & Addiction Committee 15-8-0 with the sponsor agreeing to hold the bill until there is opportunity to review the phase-in approach which should be released by ISBE on April 1.
HB3500 (Rep. Suzanne M. Ness) state that starting with the 2026-2027 school year, schools must provide informational materials about the Illinois ABLE program during annual IEP reviews and to students with Section 504 plans. The bill passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3503 (Rep. Curtis Tarver) requires the State Board of Education to conduct a comprehensive review of all mandated units of study every five years. IASB filed a witness slip in support and the bill passed out of the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0 despite ISBE opposition.
HB3527 (Rep. Maurice West III) prohibits the use of discriminatory disability mascots. This bill would likely impact only one district in the state. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on partisan leave, 9-4-0.
HB3528 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) states that no higher education institution may require a student teaching program to be unpaid. The bill passed House Higher Education 11-0-0.
HB3522 (Rep. Katie Stuart) is discussed above. Passed the House Higher Education Committee 11-0-0 with the sponsor agreeing to working with IASB on a solution.
HB3743 (Rep. Matt Hanson) includes railroad safety in the student handbook for grades K-12, unless the board opts out of including it. HB3743 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 6-3-0 and is being held on 2nd Reading for an amendment.
HB3772 (Rep. Will Davis) is discussed above. Passed out of Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Committee 10-5-0.
HB3805 (Rep. Amy L. Grant) provides that students can miss school for five days for illnesses without requiring a doctor’s note. HB3805 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
SFA2 to SB58 (Sen. Belt) expands upon the Open for Business: Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan by requiring DCEO to develop a program of technical assistance to support regional manufacturing partnerships with public institutions and high schools. The legislation is subject to state appropriation. SFA2 passed the Senate State Government committee 9-0-0.
SCA2 to SB71 (Sen. Laura Murphy) requires each school to coordinate the development of a hazardous substance release plan with local emergency management services. SCA2 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 11-3-0, with IASB working with the sponsor on an amendment to the legislation.
SB191 (Sen. Julie Morrison) requires beginning January 1, 2027, each designated seating position in any newly purchased or leased school bus to be equipped with a seat safety belt system. SB191 passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee 14-3-0. IASB is working with the sponsor on an amendment to the legislation.
SB220 (Sen. Mike Porfirio) allows employees to use up to eight hours per calendar month to participate in a funeral honors detail. SB220 passed out of the Senate Labor Committee 16-0-0.
SFA1 to SB1231 (Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel) increases the minimum number of days to seven (currently five) that a school district has to initiate a formal hearing to resolve disputes between a parent and a school about special education services. SFA1 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 14-0-0.
SFA2 to SB1329 (Sen. Murphy) allows the state superintendent or designee to notify a license holder’s current or most recent education employer that the license holder is being investigated for an alleged act. SFA2 passed the Senate Education committee 14-0-0.
SCA1 to SB1672 (Sen. Christopher Belt) requires on or before July 1, 2026, all K-3 school districts must report information on early literacy screeners to ISBE. SCA1 passed out of the Education Committee 11-0-0.
SB1692 (Sen. Robert Martwick) requires retirement plans offered by municipalities and school districts to comply with Article 1 of the Illinois Pension Code, including provisions concerning fiduciary duties. The bill passed out of Pensions Committee 7-3-0. IASB is opposed to this bill and working with the sponsor on an amendment.
SCA2 to SB1920 (Sen. Doris Turner) provides that, no later than July 1, 2026, ISBE shall encourage districts to collect teaching resources to support American Sign Language programs. SCA2 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 14-0-0.
SB1947 (Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel) establishes a Teacher Performance Assessment Advisory Committee to aid in operationalizing and creating a pilot, state-developed, Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA). It also establishes a Teacher Pathway Program for paraprofessionals to earn an educator license in areas such as elementary education or special education. SB1947 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 12-0-0.
SB2016 (Sen. Karina Villa) limits the 403(b) plans that school districts can offer to specific plans. The bill passed out of the Pension Committee 7-3-0. IASB is opposed to the bill.
SB2149 (Sen. Adriane Johnson) excludes depreciation of assets paid from federal or donated funds in the determination on the Per Capita Tuition Calculation (PCTC) used to calculate the tuition of children from orphanages and children's homes but only applies to limited school districts. SB2149 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 14-0-0.
SB2438 (Sen. Laura Ellman) requires public school buildings to test for radon by Jan. 1, 2029, and at least once every five years afterwards and sets forth requirements for remediation. Additionally, all new public schools must use radon-resistant construction techniques. SB2438 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 8-2-0, with the commitment to continue to work on the legislation and address funding concerns.
To register to become an Advocacy Ambassador, visit the Advocacy Tab on the IASB website. If you are already registered as an Advocacy Ambassador, you will be able to register to attend the March webinar by visiting the IASB Events Calendar.
This Week at the Capitol
Both the House and Senate were in session this week for Committee deadline at the Capitol. The IASB Governmental Relations staff was busy providing testimony and meeting with legislators on various bills affecting Illinois schools. Committee deadlines are critical dates because, with some exceptions, bills that do not pass out of committee by today’s date, will not proceed this session.The House Education Policy Committee met twice this week, with the first meeting dominated by a large turnout opposing HB2827 (Rep. Terra Costa Howard), a bill that impacts families that homeschool their children. This legislation has minimal impact on K-12 public schools but does seek to create a formal framework for homeschooling by requiring homeschool administrators to submit a Homeschool Declaration Form, set curriculum standards, and maintain educational portfolios. The turnout by the opposition to the bill was immense with an estimated 8,000 people coming to the Capitol. Despite over 49,000 witness slips in opposition, the bill passed out of committee on a partisan vote.
The second Education Policy Committee meeting was highlighted by a discussion on HB1237 (Rep. Maurice West III), which would prohibit the use of Native American mascots, with limited exceptions. IASB testified on the concerns with the bill as drafted, including the proposed timeline for retiring a mascot, minimizing fiscal impact on local districts, and the clarifying the process for obtaining an exemption. The bill passed out of committee with a commitment to continue discussions in the coming weeks. HB3772 (Rep. William “Will” Davis), an initiative of ISBE, was heard in the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Committee. This legislation bans the use of expulsion in grades K-2 and requires the district superintendent to approve all suspensions for grades K-2 for 3 or more days. This bill passed out of committee on partisan vote despite school management opposition. The bill will be held while negotiations continue.
Both the Senate Education Committee and the House Higher Education Committee passed identical direct admissions bills, SB2448 (Sen. Christopher Belt) and HB3522 (Rep. Katie Stuart), this week. These bills are an initiative of Governor Pritzker and establish a direct admissions program to automatically admit qualifying students into Illinois public institutions of Higher Education (excluding the University of Illinois Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago). While this is an exciting initiative, IASB is working to ensure the bill’s implementation timeline is manageable for school districts and that any transfer of student data is compliant with state and federal student privacy laws. IASB will continue working with the sponsors to resolve those issues.
The Senate Education Committee voted on several bills, including SB1519 (Sen. Karina Villa), which prohibits the use of municipal ticketing to students in schools. The legislation originated two years ago, after an investigative series from ProPublica and the Chicago tribune highlighting the negative impact of this practice on students and their families. After years of negotiating this bill, a future amendment will be forthcoming and should bring IASB to neutral on the legislation. The Senate Education Committee also advanced legislation to limit cell phone usage in schools. SCA1 to SB2427 (Sen. Cristina Castro) requires school districts to adopt a policy that prohibits student use of cellphones during instructional time, with some exceptions such as emergencies and for technology used by students with disabilities.
Excluding shell bills (bills that make no substantive change to law), there were 382 bills that moved out of House committees this week and 137 bills that moved out of Senate committees. The House will return on March 18, and the Senate will return on April 1.
Legislation Passed out of House Committees
HB1237 (Rep. Maurice West III) is discussed above. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on partisan leave, 9-4-0. IASB opposed the bill, but is working with the sponsor on an amendment.HB1596 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) requires certified pesticide applicators to give notice 72 hours prior to application to schools. The legislation passed out of Energy & Environment Committee 16-6-0.
HB2461 (Rep. Jaime Andrade, Jr.) sets aside 10% of the net proceeds of automated speed enforcement systems to schools or parks. The bill passed out of Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee 12-0-0.
HB2502 (Rep. La Shawn K. Ford) prohibits student ticketing in schools and requires an MOU for School Resource Officers. Passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0.
HB2521 (Rep. Joyce Mason) requires schools to administer fingerprint-based criminal background checks for game officials and referees. HB2521 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0. IASB is working with the sponsor on an amendment that would be less burdensome on school districts.
HB2651 (Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl) requires the State Board of Education to publish, on their website, a list of all days affected by cultural, religious, or other observances by February 1 of each year. HB2651 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB2801 (Rep. Tony M. McCombie) states the State Board of Education shall create a list of Illinois organizations offering externships, internships, and volunteer opportunities in STEAM. HB2801 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0 and is being held on 2nd Reading for an amendment.
HB2827 (Rep. Terra Costa Howard) is discussed above. HB2827 passed out of Education Policy Committee 8-4-1.
HB2950 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) creates a Provisional In-State Educator endorsement. HB2950 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 6-3-0.
HB2960 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) provides that middle and high schools provide instruction on mental health in health education courses. Passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0. This bill is being held on 2nd reading for a clarifying amendment which would incorporate this into an existing statute.
HB2962 (Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl) creates a third division for certain motor vehicles, including Multifunction School Activity Buses (MFSABs) and creates a training course for those vehicles. The legislation passed out of Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee 12-0-0.
HB2970 (Rep. Anna Moeller) allows for teachers to grieve a notice to remedy as well as require specificity on the notice, as well as requires the notice to remedy be removed after 3 years. IASB testified in opposition. The bill passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 6-3-0.
HB2997 (Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid) provides that schools shall include Arab American history as a unit of instruction in its curriculum. The bill passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0.
HB3026 (Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid) requires the State Board of Education to adopt comprehensive guidance for school districts on starting new dual language education programs and expanding existing programs. HB3026 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0. IASB was opposed to the original bill as it mandated an online bilingual platform and marketing campaign but are neutral with the recently filed amendment as it removed all mandates.
HB3170 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) adds five administrative or faculty members of community colleges to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. HB3170 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3247 (Rep. Jillian Jimenez) would codify Plyler v Doe into Illinois law. This would guarantee a free education for all students regardless of citizenship status. Additionally, the bill would require administrators to choose between complying with this state law or potentially obstructing justice by denying a federal warrant. IASB is opposed to the bill as it could and is working with the sponsor to identify a solution. This bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on partisan leave 9-4-0.
HB3250 (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr) updates to the State Global Scholar Certification Program within the School Code. HB3250 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3275 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) requires coaches to obtain and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). The sponsor agreed to hold it on 2nd while compromise language is negotiated. The bill passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0.
HB3289 (Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr.) requires the Secretary of State to compile proof of insurance forms for school buses and first division vehicles. HB3289 passed out of Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee 12-0-0.
HB3376 (Rep. Michelle Mussman) requires the State Board of Education to provide regulatory guidance on IEP guidance. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on leave 13-0-0. The sponsor agreed to hold the bill while language is negotiated.
HB3377 (Rep. Michelle Mussman) requires school districts to report data to ISBE on homeless students, including specific expenditures made, activities funded, and any additional auxiliary funding they may have received. The bill passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3440 (Rep. Lyndsey LaPointe) is the next step in mandating mental health screening in all K-12 students by the 2027-2028 school year. IASB opposed this bill because of the vagueness of the phase-in plan. The bill passed Mental Health & Addiction Committee 15-8-0 with the sponsor agreeing to hold the bill until there is opportunity to review the phase-in approach which should be released by ISBE on April 1.
HB3500 (Rep. Suzanne M. Ness) state that starting with the 2026-2027 school year, schools must provide informational materials about the Illinois ABLE program during annual IEP reviews and to students with Section 504 plans. The bill passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
HB3503 (Rep. Curtis Tarver) requires the State Board of Education to conduct a comprehensive review of all mandated units of study every five years. IASB filed a witness slip in support and the bill passed out of the Education Policy Committee 9-4-0 despite ISBE opposition.
HB3527 (Rep. Maurice West III) prohibits the use of discriminatory disability mascots. This bill would likely impact only one district in the state. The bill passed the House Education Policy Committee on partisan leave, 9-4-0.
HB3528 (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) states that no higher education institution may require a student teaching program to be unpaid. The bill passed House Higher Education 11-0-0.
HB3522 (Rep. Katie Stuart) is discussed above. Passed the House Higher Education Committee 11-0-0 with the sponsor agreeing to working with IASB on a solution.
HB3743 (Rep. Matt Hanson) includes railroad safety in the student handbook for grades K-12, unless the board opts out of including it. HB3743 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 6-3-0 and is being held on 2nd Reading for an amendment.
HB3772 (Rep. Will Davis) is discussed above. Passed out of Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Committee 10-5-0.
HB3805 (Rep. Amy L. Grant) provides that students can miss school for five days for illnesses without requiring a doctor’s note. HB3805 passed out of Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee 9-0-0.
Legislation Passed out of Senate Committees
SB40 (Sen. Preston) amends the School Code and several other Acts to require health insurers to cover habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering for those covered by private or public insurance plans. SB40 passed the Senate Insurance Committee 14-0-0.SFA2 to SB58 (Sen. Belt) expands upon the Open for Business: Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan by requiring DCEO to develop a program of technical assistance to support regional manufacturing partnerships with public institutions and high schools. The legislation is subject to state appropriation. SFA2 passed the Senate State Government committee 9-0-0.
SCA2 to SB71 (Sen. Laura Murphy) requires each school to coordinate the development of a hazardous substance release plan with local emergency management services. SCA2 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 11-3-0, with IASB working with the sponsor on an amendment to the legislation.
SB191 (Sen. Julie Morrison) requires beginning January 1, 2027, each designated seating position in any newly purchased or leased school bus to be equipped with a seat safety belt system. SB191 passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee 14-3-0. IASB is working with the sponsor on an amendment to the legislation.
SB220 (Sen. Mike Porfirio) allows employees to use up to eight hours per calendar month to participate in a funeral honors detail. SB220 passed out of the Senate Labor Committee 16-0-0.
SFA1 to SB1231 (Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel) increases the minimum number of days to seven (currently five) that a school district has to initiate a formal hearing to resolve disputes between a parent and a school about special education services. SFA1 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 14-0-0.
SFA2 to SB1329 (Sen. Murphy) allows the state superintendent or designee to notify a license holder’s current or most recent education employer that the license holder is being investigated for an alleged act. SFA2 passed the Senate Education committee 14-0-0.
SCA1 to SB1672 (Sen. Christopher Belt) requires on or before July 1, 2026, all K-3 school districts must report information on early literacy screeners to ISBE. SCA1 passed out of the Education Committee 11-0-0.
SB1692 (Sen. Robert Martwick) requires retirement plans offered by municipalities and school districts to comply with Article 1 of the Illinois Pension Code, including provisions concerning fiduciary duties. The bill passed out of Pensions Committee 7-3-0. IASB is opposed to this bill and working with the sponsor on an amendment.
SCA2 to SB1920 (Sen. Doris Turner) provides that, no later than July 1, 2026, ISBE shall encourage districts to collect teaching resources to support American Sign Language programs. SCA2 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 14-0-0.
SB1947 (Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel) establishes a Teacher Performance Assessment Advisory Committee to aid in operationalizing and creating a pilot, state-developed, Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA). It also establishes a Teacher Pathway Program for paraprofessionals to earn an educator license in areas such as elementary education or special education. SB1947 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 12-0-0.
SB2016 (Sen. Karina Villa) limits the 403(b) plans that school districts can offer to specific plans. The bill passed out of the Pension Committee 7-3-0. IASB is opposed to the bill.
SB2149 (Sen. Adriane Johnson) excludes depreciation of assets paid from federal or donated funds in the determination on the Per Capita Tuition Calculation (PCTC) used to calculate the tuition of children from orphanages and children's homes but only applies to limited school districts. SB2149 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 14-0-0.
SB2438 (Sen. Laura Ellman) requires public school buildings to test for radon by Jan. 1, 2029, and at least once every five years afterwards and sets forth requirements for remediation. Additionally, all new public schools must use radon-resistant construction techniques. SB2438 passed out of the Senate Education Committee 8-2-0, with the commitment to continue to work on the legislation and address funding concerns.
Advocacy Ambassador
The IASB Governmental Relations team would like to invite registered Advocacy Ambassadors to join us virtually on April 25 from noon until 1 p.m. for the Advocacy Ambassador March webinar. The meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about what is happening at the State Capitol, bills that are being monitored, and an opportunity for members to ask questions and provide feedback to the IASB Governmental Relations team.To register to become an Advocacy Ambassador, visit the Advocacy Tab on the IASB website. If you are already registered as an Advocacy Ambassador, you will be able to register to attend the March webinar by visiting the IASB Events Calendar.