Education (Career & Technical Education)

Amends the School Code. With respect to prerequisites to receiving a high school diploma, provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, agricultural education, agricultural business, or any other course that relates to agriculture satisfies the vocational education requirement. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Allows a METT Educator District License for teaching a course in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a trade (METT) to be issued to an applicant who has at least 10,000 working hours in a trade. Provides that a METT Educator District License may be issued to qualified individuals who have not obtained a bachelor's degree or an equivalent number of hours in an educational program at an institution of higher education. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license being issued and may be renewed. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid only for the teaching of a course that the State Board of Education has identified as related to the work experience of the licensee. Sets forth other provisions regarding the license. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Department of Labor, shall expand a database to identify METT labor shortages. Provides that by July 1, 2028, school districts in identified regions shall be notified by the State Board and shall participate in a College and Career Pathway Endorsement program and offer a METT endorsement. Makes other changes.

Creates the Reinvest in Future Technical Careers Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall award income tax credits to taxpayers who make authorized contributions to scholarship granting organizations for the purpose of awarding scholarships to eligible students who attend technical academies. Sets forth limitations with respect to the aggregate amount of credits awarded by the Department of Revenue under the program in a calendar year and the amount of credits awarded to an individual taxpayer. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

HB 2649 reenacts and makes permanent Illinois' "Invest in Kids Act," allowing taxpayers to make tax-deductible contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. These contributions fund scholarships covering "necessary costs and fees" for eligible students from low-income households (initial income ≤ 300% of federal poverty level, rising to 400% after receiving a scholarship) to attend qualified non-public schools in Illinois. The bill establishes requirements for technical academies offering career-focused CTE programs aligned with industry needs and wage standards. It amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to permanently integrate this scholarship program, effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Career and Technical Education Task Force to review career and technical education programming and policy and make recommendations to ensure all students have access to high quality, globally competitive career and technical educational programs. Sets forth members, compensation, meetings, and administrative staff. Requires the Task Force to prepare and deliver to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly a report covering the Task Force's findings. Dissolves the Task Force on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. In provisions concerning postsecondary and career expectations, provides that, beginning in grade 6, students should be introduced to the importance of developing and applying a work ethic in a variety of contexts; sets forth what this introduction may include.