HB 2521 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

SCH CD-CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK

Summary

Amends the School Code. Includes game officials in provisions requiring applicants for employment with a school district to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history records check and check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database and Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Jul 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Governor

Introduced Apr 14, 2025 Last action Jul 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

This bill shifts the requirement for criminal background checks from school districts to interscholastic athletic organizations. It mandates that game officials now undergo fingerprint-based checks and database screenings, replacing the previous rule that applied these requirements to school employees like substitute teachers.

Scope change

The bill changes the scope from school district employees to game officials and athletic associations, while removing provisions related to substitute teachers and educational support personnel.

SCOPE

Replaced the requirement for school district employees (like substitute teachers) with a requirement for game officials and athletic associations.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate for athletic associations to perform fingerprint-based criminal history checks and checks of sex offender and violent offender databases for game officials.

Added a requirement that prospective game officials be supervised by a fully cleared individual until their background checks are complete.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act to July 1, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate May 21, 2025 · House Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

57–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 58

May 21, 2025

D Democratic39

38 Yea 1

97% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 1, 2025

Committee

Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

lower

May 21, 2025

Introduced

Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

lower

May 21, 2025

Introduced

Arrived in House

lower

May 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000

upper

May 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Do Pass as Amended Criminal Law; 009-000-000

upper

May 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted

upper

May 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 23, 2025

upper

May 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Criminal Law

upper

May 6, 2025

Committee

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

upper

May 6, 2025

Introduced

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

upper

May 6, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Criminal Law

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Introduced

Arrive in Senate

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-000-000

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 008-000-000

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Joyce Mason

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 009-000-000

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

2 primary · 9 co-sponsors