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.
Urges full, sustainable funding for Mandated Categoricals (MCATs), as well as greater transparency and predictability in MCAT funding levels. Urges all future education funding discussions to account for the cumulative impact of underfunded categoricals, particularly transportation and special education costs borne disproportionately by districts. Encourages school districts to respectfully urge legislators to ensure Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) in conjunction with MCATs ensure an equitable approach to education funding.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. In provisions concerning the Prepare for Illinois' Future Program, requires the Program to offer students test preparation services for the Test of Essential Academic Skills. Provides that the other preparation programs for professional exams that the Program is required to offer students may include exams for insurance, allied health care, emergency medical services, firefighting, and fitness and wellness services. Provides that, in establishing the Program, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission may (rather than shall) consider, among other factors, whether a vendor can provide test preparation for multiple admission and professional exams (rather than whether the test and licensure exam preparation and credentialing programs can be provided by a single vendor). Provides that the Commission may not require a vendor to provide test preparation for all such admission and professional exams.
Recognizes the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence as an opportunity for reflection, inspiration, education, dialogue, and civic engagement. Encourages participation in and support of activities that examine our shared history, promote understanding of democratic principles, inspire the exchange of ideas, and strengthen civic life. Encourages and supports efforts to bolster the organizations that preserve and protect our State's archives, museums, libraries, historic sites, and community collections. Supports efforts to expand access to high-quality civics education that prepares individuals for thoughtful, constructive participation in our democracy with an understanding of the nation's founding ideals and the diverse people and communities in Illinois who have engaged, and continue to engage, in the work required to realize them.
This Senate resolution honors the life of Alice M. (Ondrla) Dunn, a teacher and community member from Oak Park who passed away in 2025. The bill formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to her family and friends while acknowledging her contributions to education and her role in her community. It directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to the Dunn family as a gesture of sympathy. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding implications.
Recognizes the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence as an opportunity for reflection, inspiration, education, dialogue, and civic engagement. Encourages participation in and support of activities that examine our shared history, promote understanding of democratic principles, inspire the exchange of ideas, and strengthen civic life. Encourages and supports efforts to bolster the organizations that preserve and protect our State's archives, museums, libraries, historic sites, and community collections. Supports efforts to expand access to high-quality civics education that prepares individuals for thoughtful, constructive participation in our democracy with an understanding of the nation's founding ideals and the diverse people and communities in Illinois who have engaged, and continue to engage, in the work required to realize them.
Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, in furtherance of postsecondary and career expectations, shall jointly develop a Senior Gap Semester Pilot Program. Provides that the Pilot Program shall only be offered to students eligible for grade 12 in school districts located within Regional Office of Education 35. Provides that the Pilot Program shall offer a semester-long program in which a grade 12 student may explore a profession or career within the health care industry, agriculture industry, manufacturing industry, and early childhood education industry. Requires the State Board of Education to consult with statewide organizations representing health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and early childhood education, and publish and maintain on its website a current database of employer champions for work-based learning and career readiness systems and programs in each industry.
Declares March 2026 as Illinois Whole Child Month to recognize the value of assuring that each student is challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged. Urges parents, educators, and community members to support a whole child approach to education for each student. Urges every school in Illinois to celebrate Whole Child Month by adopting at least one of the whole child tenets to promote and encourage throughout the month.
Creates the Engineering Students of Illinois Scholarship Act. Creates the Engineering Students of Illinois Scholarship Program, to be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to provide scholarship assistance until July 1, 2031 to eligible students for engineering-related study at a public university who agree to work as an engineer for the Department of Transportation for a period of not less than 3 years. Allows the Commission to award scholarships to pay the tuition and fees of a student enrolled in an approved program of professional engineering education for the equivalent of 8 semesters or 16 quarters of full-time enrollment. Provides for an additional stipend in an amount not to exceed $10,000. Establishes the total amount of scholarship assistance, the application process, eligibility requirements, and payments and repayments. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act to require the Board of Higher Education to establish and administer a competitive grant program for public institutions of higher education that award degrees in engineering. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2032.
Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if specified conditions are met. Requires the board of trustees to demonstrate that the community college district has the expertise, the resources, and sufficient student demand to offer a baccalaureate degree. Sets forth the application requirements. Prohibits a community college district from using semester credit hours generated in a baccalaureate degree program for certain grants. Sets forth limitations on community college districts for establishing baccalaureate programs. Requires a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program to submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Requires the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to conduct a statewide evaluation of all baccalaureate degree programs established under the amendatory Act and report the results of the evaluation on or before 5 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, in addition to being made publicly available online. Effective immediately.
