Urges the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to identify and publish a list of evidence-based, decision-making, and impulse-control curricula that have been demonstrated to reduce violence involvement, make at least one free or low-cost curriculum available statewide for optional integration into existing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) instruction, encourage districts to implement these programs using existing resources and staff development, and develop, pilot, and rigorously test new school-based decision-making and violence-prevention curricula that can be easily adopted by ISBE and schools statewide if proven effective in reducing violence. Urges the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and county probation and diversion programs to identify and approve evidence-based, decision-making curricula appropriate for minors under supervision, diversion, or detention, to encourage their integration as standard early interventions, and to implement these initiatives within existing budgets and structures. Urges the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to coordinate with ISBE, AOIC, DJJ, and local partners to align violence-prevention curricula and community-based interventions across settings. Recognizes Professor Jens Ludwig for his groundbreaking research, leadership, and publication of Unforgiving Places. Acknowledges the contributions of other scholars and organizations advancing behavioral approaches to violence prevention.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the General Assembly voluntarily elects the State to: (1) participate in the federal tax credit established under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act for individuals who make qualified contributions to scholarship granting organizations; and (2) identify scholarship granting organizations located in this State. Authorizes and empowers the State Board of Education to certify and submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in accordance with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its associated regulations. Provides that by January 1, 2027 and by every January 1 thereafter, the State Board shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and publish on the State Board's Internet website a list of all scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and are located in this State.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the General Assembly voluntarily elects the State to: (1) participate in the federal tax credit established under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act for individuals who make qualified contributions to scholarship granting organizations; and (2) identify scholarship granting organizations located in this State. Authorizes and empowers the State Board of Education to certify and submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in accordance with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its associated regulations. Provides that by January 1, 2027 and by every January 1 thereafter, the State Board shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and publish on the State Board's Internet website a list of scholarship granting organizations that meet the requirements of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and are located in this State. Provides that the State Board and the Department of Revenue may adopt only those rules necessary to implement the provisions in a manner consistent with federal law and may not impose additional criteria, restrictions, or limitations beyond those required under federal statute or regulation. Requires the State Board and the Department of Revenue to publish annual reports on the use and impact of the list of scholarship granting organizations.
Amends the School Code. Provides that each required civics class shall guide students through the voter registration process, and if the student is of eligible age, allow students to preregister to vote. Allows a student or the student's parent or legal guardian to opt the student out of preregistration.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. In the provisions requiring the State Board of Education to develop and make available training opportunities for educators, provides that the training may include the creation of an online portal to train educators in teaching Black English language learners and Black English as a second language. Provides that the portal shall aid educators in teaching students accustomed to using the African American English vernacular, teach about the history and development of African American English vernacular, and include evidence-based methods in teaching literacy to these students accustomed to African American English vernacular. Effective immediately.
Appropriates $4,000,000 to the State Board of Education for costs associated with the implementation of inclusive curriculum mandates under the School Code. Effective July 1, 2025.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the education expense credit shall be 50% of the qualified education expenses incurred by a custodian on behalf of a qualifying pupil. Provides that, for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2025, the education expense credit shall be no more than $2,000 per child for a maximum of $6,000 per family. Provides that no taxpayer may claim an education expense credit if the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds 400% of the federal poverty level. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified education expense". Effective immediately.
Recognizes the work of organizations such as the Illinois Judges Association in educating our youth, parents, and schools about remaining safe and vigilant in the rapidly changing online environment of today and seeks to expand this essential online safety education to all students, parents, and schools in our State. Recognizes the value of collaboration between elementary and secondary schools in Illinois and the Illinois Judges Association, community organizations, and similar entities to provide comprehensive online safety education to all students, parents, and educators. Supports school districts and organizations in efforts to provide online safety to students, parents, and educators of elementary and secondary schools in Illinois.
Creates the Student Bill of Rights Act. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall jointly establish, no later than January 1, 2026, a student bill of rights to outline that students in public schools and public institutions of higher education have a right to educational equity and to be free from discrimination based on race, sex, gender, socioeconomic status, and mental or physical ability. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall publish the student bill of rights on their Internet websites and make a handout available. Provides that each public institution of higher education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall have on their Internet websites a link to the student bill of rights published on the Board of Higher Education's Internet website. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall pay one-half of the salary of an employee that is employed by a manufacturing company and working within a school district at a high school as a licensed career and technical education teacher.
