Delivered via email: April 11, 2025
IASB provided testimony in opposition to House Bill 2970(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Anne Moeller) in the House Elementary and Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing, and Charter Schools Committee. This bill makes changes to the requirements for a notice to remedy, including requiring specificity in the notice and limiting the effectiveness of those notices after four years. HFA1(Opens in a new window) to House Bill 3772(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Will Davis) passed out of the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education Committee. This bill is an initiative of ISBE. It prohibits expulsions for K-2 students and requires superintendents to approve K-2 suspensions of three days or more. IASB has concerns with the bill and has been engaged in negotiations with the House and Senate sponsors to address those concerns.
In the Senate Education Committee, IASB testified in opposition to SFA1(Opens in a new window) to Senate Bill 1799(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Ram Villivalam), which would severely limit a district’s ability to use third party contractors in emergency situations. The Senate Education Committee also heard SFA1(Opens in a new window) to Senate Bill 2438(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Laura Ellman). The legislation would require public school buildings to test for radon by January 1, 2029, and at least once every five years afterwards and sets requirements for remediation. IASB and other school management organizations opposed SB2438 because of the unfunded costs it imposed on schools, a concern also expressed by several legislators. The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee 10-4, but the sponsor committed to continue to work on the legislation.
SCA3(Opens in a new window) to Senate Bill 1560(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Sara Figenholtz) was also heard in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The final amendment brought IASB to neutral and provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, ISBE shall provide a mental health screener for districts to offer them annually to students enrolled in grades 3 through 12. Importantly, the legislation will not go into effect unless the state has successfully procured a screener and made it available to school districts at no cost.
SFA1(Opens in a new window) to SB407(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Kimberly Lightford) creates a task force to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the student chronic absenteeism rate. SFA1 passed the Senate Education Committee 15-0.
SFA1(Opens in a new window) to SB408(Opens in a new window) (Sen. David Koehler) amends the Illinois School Student Records Act to allow schools to keep a summary of performance for students that received special education services as a permanent record, but does allow parents to opt out. SFA1 passed the Education Committee 15-0.
SB2062(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Cristina Castro) requires state authorized charter schools to provide a copy of their charter renewal proposal to local school boards. SB2062 also gives school boards the opportunity to negotiate with the charter school for a transfer of authorization prior to ISBE voting on the renewal proposal. SB2062 passed the Senate Executive Committee 9-4.
SFA1(Opens in a new window) to SB2149(Opens in a new window) (Sen. 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. SFA1 passed the Senate Education Committee 15-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2337(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) puts parameters around prospective mediation agreements. HFA2 was negotiated by IASB and other special education groups to remove opposition. HFA2 passed the Education Policy committee 13-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2390(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl) addresses the process for member districts withdrawing from a special education joint agreement, including requiring that the district hold a public hearing and a develop a comprehensive plan, among other stipulations. HFA2 was negotiated by stakeholders to remove all opposition. HFA2 passed the Education Policy Committee 13-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2418(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Joyce Mason) creates the Commission on Youth Sports. HFA1 passed the Human Services Committee, 12-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2502(Opens in a new window) (Rep. La Shawn Ford) clarifies in what instances a student can receive a municipal ticket while in a school setting. IASB was neutral with the amendment. HFA2 passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2522(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Katie Stuart) amends the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act to clarify that a nursing mother shall not be required to use paid leave or reduce the employee compensation. HFA1 passed the Labor & Commerce Committee, 19-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2802(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Regan Deering) concerns the daily pupil attendance calculation and allows for participation in a supervised career development experience to be an excused exemption. HFA1 passed the Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee, 8-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2927(Opens in a new window) (Rep. La Shawn Ford) directs ISBE to conduct research to understand the experience of educators teaching history to students to determine how to implement inclusive-history-mandated units of study and to report recommendations by December 15, 2026. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2960(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) provides that if a district offers health education, those classes must include instruction on mental health. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2962(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Michael Crawford) provides that the Secretary of State (SOS) shall issue a school bus driver permit with a restriction which will be valid for the operation of a school bus or a multifunction school active bus. SOS shall develop rules. HFA1 passed the Transportation Vehicles & Safety Committee, 12-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2976(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Nicholas Smith) provides that a student may be excused for a civic event sponsored by a nonprofit organization or governmental entity, including but not limited to, an inauguration or an artistic or cultural performance or educational gathering that supports the mission of the sponsoring nonprofit organization. HFA2 passed the Education Policy Committee, 13-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2997(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid) requires a unit of instruction for Arab American history. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3252(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Rick Ryan) provides that if a district offers workplace experience courses, those courses shall include instruction on legal protections in the workplace and legal protections against sexual harassment and racial and other forms of discrimination. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3275(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Lisa Davis) requires coaches to obtain and maintain a certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA3(Opens in a new window) to HB3446(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Mary Beth Canty) requires the Department of Early Education to post on their website college courses that are required for an Early Childhood Education teacher. HFA3 passed the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education Committee, 13-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3851(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr) expands the definition of “cyber bullying” to include posting or distributing of a digital replica by electronic means. HFA1 passed the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT Committee, 12-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3037(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr) allows for a student to receive up to two waivers per year from a principle or athletic director to participate in non-school athletic event that is the same sport the student plays in school. The waiver applies to “All-Star Games.” HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
This Week in Springfield
It was Third Reading Deadline week at the State Capitol, which means that all bills need to pass out of their originating chamber by today (April 11) in order to move to the opposite chamber. The Third Reading Deadline significantly reduces the number of bills that will continue in the legislative process. Bills being negotiated needed to pass out of committee and off the floor, resulting in numerous amendments filed and heard in House and Senate committees this week. Bills can be amended in the second chamber, so negotiations are ongoing.Committee Action
The House Education Policy Committee met to discuss 19 proposed amendments. IASB testified on House Bill 3247(Opens in a new window), sponsored by Representative Jillian Jimenez, which addresses education access for immigrant students. IASB worked with the bill’s sponsors and proponents on House Floor Amendment 3 to remove many of the provisions that caused concern. Despite progress, IASB was unable to withdraw its opposition due to ongoing concerns about liability provisions. House Bill 1237(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Maurice West, II), prohibiting schools from using Native American names, mascots, and logos, was also heard. While the sponsor made some important changes to the timeline to retire a prohibited mascot to minimize fiscal and operational impact, concerns remained with how the bill addresses exemptions. House Bill 2827(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Terra Costa Howard), which addresses homeschooling, received robust debate and was advanced from committee on a partisan vote.IASB provided testimony in opposition to House Bill 2970(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Anne Moeller) in the House Elementary and Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing, and Charter Schools Committee. This bill makes changes to the requirements for a notice to remedy, including requiring specificity in the notice and limiting the effectiveness of those notices after four years. HFA1(Opens in a new window) to House Bill 3772(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Will Davis) passed out of the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education Committee. This bill is an initiative of ISBE. It prohibits expulsions for K-2 students and requires superintendents to approve K-2 suspensions of three days or more. IASB has concerns with the bill and has been engaged in negotiations with the House and Senate sponsors to address those concerns.
In the Senate Education Committee, IASB testified in opposition to SFA1(Opens in a new window) to Senate Bill 1799(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Ram Villivalam), which would severely limit a district’s ability to use third party contractors in emergency situations. The Senate Education Committee also heard SFA1(Opens in a new window) to Senate Bill 2438(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Laura Ellman). The legislation would require public school buildings to test for radon by January 1, 2029, and at least once every five years afterwards and sets requirements for remediation. IASB and other school management organizations opposed SB2438 because of the unfunded costs it imposed on schools, a concern also expressed by several legislators. The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee 10-4, but the sponsor committed to continue to work on the legislation.
SCA3(Opens in a new window) to Senate Bill 1560(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Sara Figenholtz) was also heard in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The final amendment brought IASB to neutral and provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, ISBE shall provide a mental health screener for districts to offer them annually to students enrolled in grades 3 through 12. Importantly, the legislation will not go into effect unless the state has successfully procured a screener and made it available to school districts at no cost.
Bills that Passed out of their Respective Chamber
Next week, the Governmental Relations team will provide a comprehensive list of bills that passed out of their respective chamber, also known as the 3rd reading deadline. Both the House and Senate are on spring break next week which will give our staff time to begin working with the new bill sponsors to address outstanding concerns.Other Legislation Passed out of Senate Committees
SFA1(Opens in a new window) and SFA2(Opens in a new window) to SB406(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Omar Aquino) requires the Department of Early Childhood Education to establish an Early Childhood Integrated System to make equity driven, inclusive, and data-informed decisions that create a simpler, better, and fairer system for all Illinois children and families.SFA1(Opens in a new window) to SB407(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Kimberly Lightford) creates a task force to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the student chronic absenteeism rate. SFA1 passed the Senate Education Committee 15-0.
SFA1(Opens in a new window) to SB408(Opens in a new window) (Sen. David Koehler) amends the Illinois School Student Records Act to allow schools to keep a summary of performance for students that received special education services as a permanent record, but does allow parents to opt out. SFA1 passed the Education Committee 15-0.
SB2062(Opens in a new window) (Sen. Cristina Castro) requires state authorized charter schools to provide a copy of their charter renewal proposal to local school boards. SB2062 also gives school boards the opportunity to negotiate with the charter school for a transfer of authorization prior to ISBE voting on the renewal proposal. SB2062 passed the Senate Executive Committee 9-4.
SFA1(Opens in a new window) to SB2149(Opens in a new window) (Sen. 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. SFA1 passed the Senate Education Committee 15-0.
Other Legislation Passed out of House Committees
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB1787(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Maura Hirschauer) provides that a school district provide training to substitute teachers. HFA1 was negotiated with IASB and other management groups to remove opposition. HFA1 passed the Education Policy committee 13-0.HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2337(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) puts parameters around prospective mediation agreements. HFA2 was negotiated by IASB and other special education groups to remove opposition. HFA2 passed the Education Policy committee 13-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2390(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl) addresses the process for member districts withdrawing from a special education joint agreement, including requiring that the district hold a public hearing and a develop a comprehensive plan, among other stipulations. HFA2 was negotiated by stakeholders to remove all opposition. HFA2 passed the Education Policy Committee 13-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2418(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Joyce Mason) creates the Commission on Youth Sports. HFA1 passed the Human Services Committee, 12-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2502(Opens in a new window) (Rep. La Shawn Ford) clarifies in what instances a student can receive a municipal ticket while in a school setting. IASB was neutral with the amendment. HFA2 passed the Education Policy Committee 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2522(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Katie Stuart) amends the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act to clarify that a nursing mother shall not be required to use paid leave or reduce the employee compensation. HFA1 passed the Labor & Commerce Committee, 19-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2802(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Regan Deering) concerns the daily pupil attendance calculation and allows for participation in a supervised career development experience to be an excused exemption. HFA1 passed the Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee, 8-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2927(Opens in a new window) (Rep. La Shawn Ford) directs ISBE to conduct research to understand the experience of educators teaching history to students to determine how to implement inclusive-history-mandated units of study and to report recommendations by December 15, 2026. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2960(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Laura Faver Dias) provides that if a district offers health education, those classes must include instruction on mental health. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2962(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Michael Crawford) provides that the Secretary of State (SOS) shall issue a school bus driver permit with a restriction which will be valid for the operation of a school bus or a multifunction school active bus. SOS shall develop rules. HFA1 passed the Transportation Vehicles & Safety Committee, 12-0.
HFA2(Opens in a new window) to HB2976(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Nicholas Smith) provides that a student may be excused for a civic event sponsored by a nonprofit organization or governmental entity, including but not limited to, an inauguration or an artistic or cultural performance or educational gathering that supports the mission of the sponsoring nonprofit organization. HFA2 passed the Education Policy Committee, 13-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB2997(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid) requires a unit of instruction for Arab American history. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3252(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Rick Ryan) provides that if a district offers workplace experience courses, those courses shall include instruction on legal protections in the workplace and legal protections against sexual harassment and racial and other forms of discrimination. HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3275(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Lisa Davis) requires coaches to obtain and maintain a certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.
HFA3(Opens in a new window) to HB3446(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Mary Beth Canty) requires the Department of Early Education to post on their website college courses that are required for an Early Childhood Education teacher. HFA3 passed the Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education Committee, 13-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3851(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr) expands the definition of “cyber bullying” to include posting or distributing of a digital replica by electronic means. HFA1 passed the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT Committee, 12-0.
HFA1(Opens in a new window) to HB3037(Opens in a new window) (Rep. Janet Yang Rohr) allows for a student to receive up to two waivers per year from a principle or athletic director to participate in non-school athletic event that is the same sport the student plays in school. The waiver applies to “All-Star Games.” HFA1 passed the Education Policy Committee, 9-4.