Delivered via email: April 4, 2025
An amendment to SB1943 (Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel) was also heard in the Senate Education Committee. This bill is an initiative of the Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE) and would amend a 2021 law that limits the use of restraints and seclusion of students in the classroom. The law stemmed from Chicago Tribune and ProPublica articles highlighting the overuse of these practices. While the sponsor emphasized that she was supportive of the original bill, there have been concerns with the implementation that led her to file SB1943. SB1943 highlights incidents that should not be considered as physical restraints such as breaking up fights and the use of physical touch in a manner that is recommended by an occupational therapist, school psychologist, or social worker in order to assist a student in regulation of a student’s body. The opponents of the legislation expressed concern that it will roll back protections and allow schools to use restraint and seclusion practices that cause emotional trauma or physical injury. However, the sponsor clarified that the purpose of the legislation is to provide more clarity in classrooms on keeping students safe.
In addition to committees, Senate floor action began this week as legislation was passed over to the House. The Illinois House and Senate Floor deadline is Friday, April 11. The IASB Governmental Relations team anticipates a busy week of session in committees to finalize amendments and on both the House and Senate floor.
SFA3 to SB1519 (Sen. Karina Villa) clarifies issues around student ticketing and provides additional time for districts to enter into an MOU with local law enforcement if the district utilizes a School Resource Officer (SRO).
SFA1 to SB1616 (Sen. Ram Villivalam) requires the State Board of Education to publish, on their website, and distribute to districts, a list of all days affected by cultural, religious, or other observances by February 1 of each year.
SFA1 to SB2057 (Sen. Michael Hastings) requires ISBE to provide school districts with guidance for threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans.
SR125 (Sen. Bill Cunningham) encourages districts to provide age-appropriate water safety education.
SCA1 to SB212 (Sen. Laura Fine) states that employers must pay employees their regular wage during nursing breaks and cannot deduct pay or require use of paid leave.
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 April webinar by visiting the IASB Events Calendar.
In an effort to ensure that IASB members can monitor all bills the Governmental Relations team is tracking, legislation has been broken down into ten different topics.
This Week in Springfield
All the attention was focused on the Senate this week as the House was not in session. The Senate Education Committee passed several bills on Wednesday, April 2, including SB2423, an initiative of the State Board of Education sponsored by Senator Lightford. SB2423 would prohibit expulsions for K-2 students and require superintendents to approve K-2 suspensions of three days or more. The sponsor believes that expulsions for children of this age group are unnecessary and expressed concern with the number of suspensions issued. Opponents of the bill testified that schools are reporting a troubling rise in student behavior that is impacting students and teachers. Placing further limits on disciplinary options will affect the school’s ability to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. Opponents also emphasized the shortage of school behavior professionals. The sponsor committed to continuing to work with school management groups, including IASB, to try and find a balance between keeping students in school and student and staff safety. IASB will continue to engage with the sponsor on this bill.An amendment to SB1943 (Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel) was also heard in the Senate Education Committee. This bill is an initiative of the Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE) and would amend a 2021 law that limits the use of restraints and seclusion of students in the classroom. The law stemmed from Chicago Tribune and ProPublica articles highlighting the overuse of these practices. While the sponsor emphasized that she was supportive of the original bill, there have been concerns with the implementation that led her to file SB1943. SB1943 highlights incidents that should not be considered as physical restraints such as breaking up fights and the use of physical touch in a manner that is recommended by an occupational therapist, school psychologist, or social worker in order to assist a student in regulation of a student’s body. The opponents of the legislation expressed concern that it will roll back protections and allow schools to use restraint and seclusion practices that cause emotional trauma or physical injury. However, the sponsor clarified that the purpose of the legislation is to provide more clarity in classrooms on keeping students safe.
In addition to committees, Senate floor action began this week as legislation was passed over to the House. The Illinois House and Senate Floor deadline is Friday, April 11. The IASB Governmental Relations team anticipates a busy week of session in committees to finalize amendments and on both the House and Senate floor.
Update on HB1237 – Prohibition on Native American Mascots
The IASB Governmental Relations staff recently sent an informative email to districts identified as being impacted by legislation that would prohibit the use of Native American mascots, HB1237 (Rep. Maurice West, II). Given that this only impacts a portion of our members, we plan to send targeted emails to this group as this legislation progresses. If your board president did not receive this email and your district is affected, please reach out to the Governmental Relations staff for assistance.Other Legislation Passed out of Committee
SCA3 to SB71 (Sen. Laura Murphy) provides that beginning July 1, 2026, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Office Homeland Security shall provide school districts with guidance for implementing a response plan for the release or explosion of hazardous substances being transported.SFA3 to SB1519 (Sen. Karina Villa) clarifies issues around student ticketing and provides additional time for districts to enter into an MOU with local law enforcement if the district utilizes a School Resource Officer (SRO).
SFA1 to SB1616 (Sen. Ram Villivalam) requires the State Board of Education to publish, on their website, and distribute to districts, a list of all days affected by cultural, religious, or other observances by February 1 of each year.
SFA1 to SB2057 (Sen. Michael Hastings) requires ISBE to provide school districts with guidance for threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans.
SR125 (Sen. Bill Cunningham) encourages districts to provide age-appropriate water safety education.
SCA1 to SB212 (Sen. Laura Fine) states that employers must pay employees their regular wage during nursing breaks and cannot deduct pay or require use of paid leave.
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 April webinar. The meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about what is happening at the State Capitol, bills that are being monitored, and give members a chance 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 April webinar by visiting the IASB Events Calendar.
Legislative Tracking Lists
The IASB Governmental Relations team tracks all legislation that may impact K-12 public education and makes regular updates to those lists. As a reminder, although a bill may be filed, many factors influence whether it makes its way through the legislative process. Some of those factors include whether the bill gets assigned by leadership to a committee, the extent of any opposition, and the priorities of the sponsor.In an effort to ensure that IASB members can monitor all bills the Governmental Relations team is tracking, legislation has been broken down into ten different topics.
- Boards of Education(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- Insurance(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- Open Meetings Act(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- Personnel(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- Regional Office of Education(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- School Finance(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- School Safety and Health(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- Students(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)(Opens in a new window)
- Taxation