Education

The Student Cardiac Safety Act requires qualified health care professionals to include a cardiovascular prescreening in physical examinations for student athletes in grades kindergarten through 12 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. This requirement will expand to all students during their annual well-child visits beginning in the 2028-2029 school year. The prescreening involves collecting personal and family medical history data along with a focused physical exam, and any positive findings must result in a referral to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Public Health publish annual reports on screening outcomes and distribute educational materials about heart disease risks to families and schools.

Illinois House Bill 5808 amends state law to require interscholastic athletic associations to allow high school student-athletes in grades 9 through 12 to transfer schools and maintain full athletic eligibility, provided that both the sending and receiving principals submit written consent. This consent must confirm that staff at the new school did not recruit or improperly influence the student's decision to move. The bill prevents athletic associations from restricting a transferring student's eligibility based on their reason for changing schools, although students who transfer after a season has already begun are barred from participating in that specific sport for the rest of the year. Additionally, any existing ineligibility penalties imposed by the previous school must be enforced at the new school for the remaining duration of the penalty or 365 days, whichever is shorter.

This House resolution formally congratulates the P.E.O. Illinois Chapter CE on its 100th anniversary, which occurs on December 9, 2026. The bill recognizes the chapter's century-long history of providing scholarships, grants, and educational resources to women and acknowledges the specific contributions of its members, including retired teacher Jan Schoening. It directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to Jan Schoening while honoring all members of the chapter equally.

Amends the School Code. Requires a statewide athletic association governing interscholastic competition for public schools to conduct an equity impact review if the statewide athletic association has established or changed within one year before the effective date of the amendatory Act or on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act a policy that: (1) reduces the opportunities in a girls' sport without making an equivalent reduction in a comparable boys' sport; (2) causes the length of the regular sports season or the length of the full sports season to differ by more than one week for comparable sports offered to both sexes; or (3) causes the nature and extent of interscholastic sports offered by the statewide athletic association to not accommodate the interests and abilities of both sexes to a comparable degree. Sets forth the timeline for which an equity impact review must be conducted. Establishes the requirements for the equity impact review. Requires the statewide athletic association to make the equity impact review available to the public and allow for a public comment period of not less than 30 days before any changes are finalized. Requires the statewide athletic association to submit each equity impact review to the State Board of Education. Allows the State Board to issue nonbinding findings regarding whether the reduction or discrepancy in program comparability complies with gender equity and student opportunity principles. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $450,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Community College Board for competitive per capita grants for prison education programs that assist incarcerated students in attaining associate degrees. Appropriates $350,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education for competitive per capita grants for prison education programs that assist incarcerated students in attaining bachelor's degrees. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the University of Illinois for the purpose of increasing the extension service trust fund allocation for the University of Illinois Extension program to enable the University of Illinois Extension program to achieve the stated purpose of the Farmland Transition Commission under the Farmland Transition Commission Act, which includes examining current barriers individuals ages 25 through 40 years old face when trying to purchase or access farmland, reviewing current incentives and policies to encourage the transfer of farmland to current or prospective farmers ages 25 through 40 years old, and compiling resources about and assisting current and prospective farmers ages 25 through 40 years old with barriers in purchasing or otherwise accessing farmland for farm operations. Effective July 1, 2026.

Congratulates Lazaro Lopez, Ed.D. on the conclusion of his distinguished career with High School District 214, marked by his dedicated service to public education and the State of Illinois. Thanks him for helping shape the futures of thousands of students while strengthening pathways to the middle class.

Appropriates $15,000,000 to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees for the expansion of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to expand its research capabilities and to increase biomanufacturing workforce training. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Community College Board for the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH) Program. Effective July 1, 2026.

This bill is a House resolution that formally congratulates the Beethoven Elementary School Class of 2026 on their graduation. It recognizes the students' academic achievements and expresses good wishes for their future success. The resolution also directs that a copy of the document be given to the school as a symbol of appreciation. This measure is ceremonial and does not create any new laws or policy changes.