Education

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships may also be known as School Social Work scholarships. Includes, as a qualified applicant subject to meeting the other requirements, (i) a person who is pursuing a clinical social work license or social work license and (ii) a person who will obtain a master's degree in social work from an approved program before enrolling the academic program that the scholarship would support. Allows scholarships to be applied to the payment of tuition and mandatory fees at a private, not-for-profit institution of higher education in the State that prepares students to obtain an Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Social Work. Provides that a scholarship for a recipient attending a private, not-for-profit institution shall not exceed the maximum grant payable to a student enrolled in the most expensive comparable program of study at a public university in the State. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Requires each school district to provide transportation to all students with an Individualized Education Program, based solely on the student's eligibility for special education. Provides that the transportation shall be provided at no cost and is presumed necessary for a free appropriate public education. Provides that the type, method, route, and accommodations for transportation shall be individualized to the student's needs. Sets forth how mileage shall be determined and verified. Requires school districts to maintain mileage records, provide the mileage records to parents or guardians within 10 business days of request, and include the mileage records in the student's educational record. Establishes transportation restrictions for school districts. Allows parents or guardians to seek relief for the failure to provide transportation as a denial of a free appropriate public education. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Effective July 1, 2026.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Community College Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $343,131,200; Other State Funds $121,395,000; Federal Funds $51,000,000; Total $515,526,200.

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code with respect to the removal or dismissal of teachers in contractual continued service. In provisions specifying that if a decision of a hearing officer for dismissal or of a school board for dismissal for cause is adjudicated upon review or appeal in favor of a teacher, then the trial court shall order reinstatement and shall remand the matter to the school board with direction for entry of an order setting the amount of back pay, lost benefits, and costs, less mitigation, provides that, post reinstatement, the mutually selected hearing officer shall maintain jurisdiction over the back pay so that the teacher may challenge and the hearing officer may potentially amend the school board's order setting the amount of back pay, lost benefits, interest, and costs, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees, less mitigation, through an expedited arbitration procedure, with the costs of the arbitrator borne by the school board (rather than providing that the teacher may challenge the school board's order setting the amount of back pay, lost benefits, and costs, less mitigation, through an expedited arbitration procedure, with the costs of the arbitrator borne by the school board).

Creates the Educational Choice for Children Act. Requires the State Board of Education to submit to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and publish on the website of the State Board a list of all scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and that are located in the State. Provides that the State Board may establish rules governing the process and documentation necessary for an entity to demonstrate that it qualifies to be included as a scholarship granting organization on the list. Requires the State Board to comply with all federal regulations pertaining to the administration of the federal tax credit established under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that the State is eligible to participate in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. Provides that qualifying scholarship granting organizations on the list may provide scholarships for any qualified elementary or secondary education expense, to the extent allowed under federal law. Provides that the General Assembly voluntarily elects the State to: (1) participate in the federal tax credit for individuals who make qualified contributions to scholarship granting organizations within the State; and (2) identify scholarship granting organizations located in the State. Effective immediately.

Encourages all public school districts serving grades 6 through 12 to develop a plan to adopt school start times that reflect the biological sleep needs of adolescents.

SB 3793 reenacts and makes permanent the Invest in Kids Act, allowing Illinois taxpayers to claim a state income tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). These SGOs provide scholarships to eligible students from Illinois households with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (initially) and 400% after receiving a scholarship, covering necessary school costs and fees at qualified non-public schools. The scholarships are available for students attending non-public schools, including technical academies with approved career and technical education programs. The bill amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to reflect these changes and takes effect immediately.

Creates the Veterans' Dependents and Spouses College Tuition Waiver Act. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education if the applicant is a spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran, is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the public institution of higher education, and meets residency and enrollment requirements established by rule. Provides that the waiver applies only to tuition and mandatory fees and does not include room, board, books, supplies, or other nonmandatory expenses. Sets forth the length of the waiver. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall administer the waivers created by the Act. Provides that the Act's benefits shall be applied after federal educational benefits have been applied, unless otherwise provided by rule. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an applicant from receiving federal educational benefits, as long as there is no duplication of State-funded tuition assistance. Allows the Commission to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Southern Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $234,246,700; Other State Funds $1,266,000; Total $235,512,700.

Creates the Illinois Educational Choice for Children Act. Provides that on or before January 1, 2027 and annually thereafter, the Governor shall submit to the United States Secretary of the Treasury a list of scholarship granting organizations to opt-in to the federal school choice program under the federal Educational Choice for Children Act. Allows the Governor to develop the list of scholarship granting organizations in consultation with other appropriate State agencies. Requires the submission of the list of scholarship granting organizations to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Governor to send a copy of the list of scholarship granting organization to the General Assembly, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Revenue. Effective immediately.