Education

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, by no later than the beginning of a student's third year of high school or by the student's 16th birthday, whichever occurs first, the transition planning process must include a consideration of whether the student is a candidate for graduation. Requires this process to involve discussions with the student's individualized education program team, including the parent and the student. Provides that the discussions must address the implications of graduating with a regular diploma, particularly how it affects the student's right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Effective immediately.

Creates the Historical Cost of Attendance Disclosure Act. Requires each public or private college or university to post its cost of attendance on its website for each of the 10 academic years immediately preceding the effective date of the Act and for every academic year thereafter. Requires the posted cost of attendance to delineate which expenses are included in the Internal Revenue Service's Form 1098-T and which expenses are not included in Form 1098-T.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that any person who has served at least one year in the Army Reserves and who possesses all necessary entrance requirements shall, upon application and proper proof, be awarded a grant to the State-controlled university or community college of his or her choice, consisting of exemption from tuition and fees for not more than the equivalent of 4 years of full-time enrollment in relation to his or her course of study at that State-controlled university or community college while he or she is a member of the Army Reserves. Renames the National Guard and Naval Militia Grant Fund to the National Guard, Naval Militia, and Army Reserves Grant Fund. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: Other State Funds $4,349,000.

Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. Provides that each school board may provide free transportation for any pupil residing within a one-half mile (rather than one and one-half miles) from the school attended where conditions are such that walking, either to or from the school to which a pupil is assigned for attendance or to or from a pick-up point or bus stop, constitutes a serious hazard to the safety of the pupil due to either vehicular traffic or rail crossings or a course or pattern of criminal activity.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $831,447,600; Other State Funds $30,180,000; Federal Funds $59,461,100; Total $921,088,700.

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a charter from being granted to an organization that operates a private, parochial, or non-public school or child care facility. Provides that a charter school shall spend no less than 90% of its budget on direct-service costs for students. Removes provisions regarding the closure of charter schools, the use of unspent public funds, and the procedures for disposition of property and assets. Requires the governing body of a charter school that is the subject of a school action to work collaboratively with local school educators and families of students attending the charter school to ensure successful integration of affected students into new learning environments. Requires, for a charter school closure, the governing body of the charter school to ensure that all students of the charter school at the time of the closure will be guaranteed a seat at a receiving school and that all teachers of the charter school at the time of the closure will be guaranteed a job at a receiving school. Sets forth requirements for school transition plans. Requires the governing body of the charter school to designate at least 3 opportunities for public comment at a hearing or meeting on the proposed school action.

Senate Bill 2512 appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Community College Board. This funding is designated for the Board's ordinary and contingent expenses for Fiscal Year 2026.

Appropriates $1,250,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for a grant to the Adler University Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice for costs associated with the Creating Healing Of Inside Community Educators (CHOICE) program and the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (IL-CHEP) program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Declares September 2025 as Spoken Word Month. Encourages collaboration among school districts, community organizations, cultural institutions, and youth development agencies to implement spoken word mentorship programs and events statewide during the month of September 2025. Urges the State of Illinois to promote awareness and support for the National Spoken Word Awards and Festival held in Chicago through marketing, public outreach, and partnership with local and statewide arts agencies. Recognizes the positive social impact of spoken word as an art form, educational tool, and cultural beacon and that September 2025 will be a time to celebrate and elevate spoken word artists and organizations throughout the Land of Lincoln.