Education

passed · Illinois · House May 31, 2025

HR 137: EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE

States that the new Department of Early Childhood and its planning process should prioritize appropriate attention to the facilities needs of our State's mixed-delivery system of early care and education. Additionally states that the State should move expeditiously to award its remaining Early Childhood Construction Grant monies to qualified applicants, to assist providers of critical birth-to-five programs in meeting their growing building-and-repair demands. Finally states that the State should also move as quickly as feasible to replenish Early Childhood Construction Grant resources to help Illinois achieve the long-term vision of the bipartisan Funding Commission for making services "simpler, better, fairer" for young children, their families, and communities statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates construction grants for early childhood facility repairs, directly funding infrastructure to support birth-to-five educational programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds facilities for birth-to-five programs, advancing access to early childhood healthcare services through construction grants for critical health-focused providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Children's Health

Track

passed both · Illinois · Senate May 31, 2025

SJR 13: LIBRARY ACCESS TASK FORCE

Creates the University Library & Professional Librarian Access & Transparency Task Force to examine the current state of libraries and professional librarianship on Illinois public university campuses and present a recommendation to the General Assembly to ensure that public academic libraries and the educational services provided by professional librarian faculty remains a viable and healthy benefit to Illinois students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to examine and recommend preserving university library services and professional librarian roles, directly protecting educational resources for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

in committee · Illinois · House Feb 18, 2025

HB 3151: SCH CD-TEACHER-FOREIGN LANGUAG

Amends the School Code. Provides that a foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets specified requirements. Provides that the foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 following the fifth anniversary of the endorsement's issuance. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may teach a course on the foreign language for which the foreign language endorsement is issued. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree and who is 25 years of age or older may substitute teach in foreign language classrooms. Effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables foreign language teacher credentials, expanding curriculum options and teacher qualifications in K-12 education without restrictions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · Illinois · Senate Jun 2, 2025

SB 1353: HIGHER ED-IL VETERAN GRANT

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran grant program. Provides that a grant recipient is not required to pay any tuition or mandatory fees while attending a State-controlled university or public community college in this State for a period that is based on the length of his or her active duty service, as verified on his or her U.S. Department of Defense form DD-214, calculated at specified credit hour rates (rather than for a period that is equivalent to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms). Provides that a grant may be transferred to a qualified dependent beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. Amends the School Code to make a related change. Effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition/fee waivers for veterans at public colleges, expanding higher education access and funding for a specific student group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition-free education at public colleges for veterans based on active duty service, expanding educational benefits and financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

passed · Illinois · House May 31, 2025

HR 247: FIRST ROBOTICS DAY

Declares the third Friday in March 2025 and March 2026 as FIRST Robotics Day in the State of Illinois. Recognizes the continuing importance of the National Science Foundation's math and science education programs and encourages local school districts and other educational agencies to fund afterschool robotics programs. Encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about robotics and engage them about the study of mathematics and science.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill encourages schools to fund robotics programs and recognize STEM education, directly advancing student engagement in math/science curricula through afterschool activities.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEncourages school funding for robotics programs and STEM education, directly promoting technology-focused learning initiatives.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 218: CRIM CD-AGG ASSAULT-TEACHER

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that aggravated assault of a teacher upon school grounds or grounds adjacent to a school or in any part of a building used for school purposes is a Class 4 felony (rather than a Class A misdemeanor).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalty from Class A misdemeanor to Class 4 felony for assaulting teachers, strengthening sentencing severity per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases penalties for assaulting teachers on school grounds, enhancing educator safety and protection within K-12 education context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime School Safety Teachers

Track

passed · Illinois · Senate May 7, 2025

SR 61: WHOLE CHILD MONTH

Declares March 2025 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes holistic student development by urging schools to adopt whole child tenets, aligning with indicators to strengthen educational approaches and student support.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Illinois · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1106: ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL ED

Creates the Local Advisory Committees on Special Education Act. Allows each school district or regional cooperative program providing special education services to establish and appoint a local advisory committee on special education if a local advisory committee is requested by more than 3 parents or guardians of the students receiving the services. Establishes the membership and responsibilities of a local advisory committee and the duties of the school district or regional cooperative program. Provides that members of a local advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates advisory committees for special education to enhance oversight and parent involvement, strengthening student program access for special needs students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

in committee · Illinois · Senate May 1, 2025

SR 213: CHILD VACCINATIONS-SUPPORT

Urges the implementation of interventions to support vaccine uptake and reduce disparities in vaccine coverage among children. Urges the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to work with pediatricians, clinicians, families, and other stakeholders to ensure infants and children are vaccinated on time and students begin school fully vaccinated. Urges the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to continue to invest in immunization initiatives and infrastructure to ensure timely reporting of vaccine coverage to ensure children are protected from vaccine-preventable illness in public and private schools, child care facilities, and pre-kindergarten programs and beyond.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates school vaccination requirements via Illinois State Board of Education, ensuring student health and access to K-12 education through timely immunization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges interventions to support vaccine uptake and reduce disparities, advancing public health initiatives for children's healthcare coverage and school vaccination requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

Track

signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 1605: SCH CD-REQ HIGH SCHOOL COURSE

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands curriculum options by allowing agricultural courses to satisfy vocational requirements, strengthening educational pathways for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education