Education

signed · Illinois · House Aug 7, 2026

HB 4304: HIGHER ED STUDENT BILL OF RTS

Creates the Higher Education Student Bill of Rights Act. Provides that a student attending a postsecondary education institution in the State is entitled to the following rights: the right to an inclusive and safe learning environment; the right to equal access; the right to safety and respect; the right to accessibility; the right to free expression; the right to organize; the right to peaceful protest; the right to academic transparency; the right to fair evaluation; the right to educational records; the right to educational programs safeguarded from political interference; the right to career preparation; the right to educational quality; the right to due process; the right to representation; the right to institutional accountability; the right to financial transparency; the right to fair lending and borrowing practices; the right to timely refunds and withdrawals; and the right to transfer.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly creates student rights protections in higher education, advancing access, safety, and academic transparency per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Illinois · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 2992: SCH CD-LICENS-PARAPROFESSIONAL

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that short-term approval of a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations shall be given to an individual who meets the requirements in the Illinois Administrative Code. Provides that the short-term approval expires on June 30 immediately following 5 full fiscal years after the approval was given. Effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables paraprofessionals to obtain temporary licenses, supporting school staffing needs and educator workforce stability per licensure provisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 4423: SCH CD-LICENSE ENDORSEMENT

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In a provision regarding endorsements on Professional Educator Licenses, provides for a special education endorsement in the area of deaf-hard of hearing with sign proficiency.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds sign proficiency requirement for special ed endorsements, enhancing teacher qualifications for deaf-hard of hearing students and improving educational access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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signed · Illinois · Senate Jul 10, 2026

SB 2909: SCH CD-TEACHER EVALUATION-AI

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Prohibits an evaluator from using an artificial intelligence tool to assign a numerical score or qualitative rating for any component of a teacher's evaluation or any evaluation task that requires professional judgment. However, allows an artificial intelligence tool to be used to support the evaluator in administrative tasks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits AI from assigning scores in teacher evaluations requiring professional judgment, protecting educator autonomy in assessments.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits AI from assigning scores in evaluations requiring professional judgment, protecting teacher assessment integrity as part of employment standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Tags Artificial Intelligence

signed · Illinois · Senate Jul 24, 2026

SB 2913: SCH CD-TEACHER EVALUATION PLAN

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, if a school district and its teachers cannot reach agreement over the decision on whether to incorporate the use of data and indicators on student growth as a factor in rating teaching performance into a teacher evaluation plan and there is no collective bargaining agreement that includes or incorporates by reference the teacher evaluation plan, then the student growth component shall be removed from the teacher evaluation plan. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of student growth data in teacher evaluations when agreement is unattainable, supporting standardized teacher accountability within education policy.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill mandates student growth data inclusion in teacher evaluations without collective bargaining agreement, overriding union negotiations on evaluation methods and restricting collective bargaining rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

in committee · Illinois · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 2937: PEN CD-CTPF-STATE CONTRIBUTION

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning in State fiscal year 2027, the State (instead of the Chicago Board of Education) shall contribute for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2059, a minimum contribution to the Fund in an amount determined by the Fund to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the Fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the Fund by the end of fiscal year 2059. Provides that, in making these determinations, the required contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of the applicable employee payrolls over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2059 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Amends the School Code to make a conforming change in provisions concerning evidence-based funding. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state contributions to pension fund, ensuring fiscal responsibility and funding essential public employee benefits.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates state pension contributions for Chicago teachers, strengthening educator benefits and financial security under Illinois Pension Code.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures state funding for teacher pensions, securing retirement benefits as part of employment compensation and preventing underfunding that could harm worker benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Teachers

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signed · Illinois · Senate Jul 24, 2026

SB 2761: SCH CD-TRAINING-SERVICE ANIMAL

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning in-service training programs for teachers, administrators, and school support personnel, provides that the training regarding health conditions of students shall include the proper handling of service animals in the school setting and the instruction on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, as it pertains to the school environment, shall include the proper handling of service animals, the rights of students who use service animals, and appropriate interactions with service animals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates teacher training on service animal handling and ADA compliance, directly enhancing support for students with disabilities in school environments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4360: BD HIGHER ED-SCH COUNSELOR

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Higher Education to create a school counselor stipend program. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating school counselors who qualify for the stipend program. Sets forth requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating school counselor who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requires appropriation for school counselor stipend program, funding an educational service under higher education budget.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates stipend program for school counselors, providing direct funding support to educators in K-12 settings through the Board of Higher Education Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Health Teachers

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Jul 2, 2026

SB 2928: $ISAC-VETERANS/NATIONAL GUARD

Appropriates $26,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to reimburse public universities and community colleges for costs associated with the Illinois Veteran grant program and the Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grant program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $26M from General Revenue Fund to reimburse schools for veteran/National Guard grant programs, directly funding essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses public universities for veteran/national guard grant programs, directly funding higher education access and support through ISAC.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAppropriates $26M to reimburse schools for veteran/National Guard educational grants, directly funding benefits and services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4322: IDOT-BONUS FOR STUDENT LOANS

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to provide higher education student loan repayment assistance in the form of an annual after-tax bonus in an amount to be determined by the Department, for not more than 5 years, to any engineer employed by the Department if (i) the engineer is a graduate of a community college, college, or university located in the State, (ii) the engineer provides documentation to the Department of the repayment of higher education student loans taken to attend a community college, college, or university located in the State, and (iii) the engineer remains in the employ of the Department for at least 5 years. Provides that if the engineer leaves the employ of the Department prior to serving 5 years, the engineer must return all bonuses made to the engineer by the Department pursuant to these provisions. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides student loan repayment assistance to in-state graduates employed by IDOT, supporting higher education access and reducing debt burden for graduates.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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