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BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, ARE IN COMMITTEE, OR CROSSED OVER
Amends the School Code. Sets forth a list of nonfiction, fiction, and children’s books about racism that shall be required reading for students in every public elementary and secondary school beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Requires that the instruction in the material presented by each book be age appropriate and taught at the appropriate grade level. Effectively immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, requires each school board to post on its district’s Internet website, if one is maintained, or in the district’s main administrative office, if the district does not maintain an Internet website, all curricula to be taught in each school during the next school year for parents and guardians of students to review. Provides that, as part of the posting, the school board shall identify how each school’s curricula align with the Illinois Learning Standards. Provides that if the curricula are updated at any time during the school year, the posted curricula shall be revised to reflect the updated curricula. Effective July 1, 2021.
LINK TO FILL OUT WITNESS SLIP:
LINK TO ADDITIONAL BILL INFO:
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a committee to review educational standards and policies and to create suggestions to help address bias, discrimination, and inequity by including curriculum that represents diverse and historically underrepresented people.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
04/20/2021
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires course content in civics education to include a comparative study and discussion of certain political ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to the founding of the United States. Sets forth requirements concerning the content. Effective immediately.
LINK TO FILL OUT WITNESS SLIP:
LINK TO ADDITIONAL BILL INFO:
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 2/25/2022
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to administer an annual survey, which shall be named the Healthy Illinois Survey. Provides that the Healthy Illinois Survey shall: (1) include interviews of a sample of State residents such that statistically reliable data for specified areas can be developed, as well as statistically reliable data on racial, ethnic, gender, age, and other demographic groups of State residents important to inform health equity goals; (2) be collected at the zip code level; and (3) include questions on a range of topics designed to establish an initial baseline public health data set and annual updates. Provides that, in developing the annual Healthy Illinois Survey, the Department shall consult with specified persons and entities with the goal of a comprehensive survey that will assist the State and other partners in developing the data to measure public health and health equity. Requires the Department to provide the results of the Healthy Illinois Survey in forms useful to cities, communities, local health departments, hospitals, and other potential users, including annually publishing on its website data at the most granular geographic and demographic levels possible while protecting identifying information. Requires the Department to produce periodic special reports and analyses relevant to ongoing and emerging health and social issues in communities and the State.
House Committee Amendment No. 1
| Adds reference to: | ||
| 30 ILCS 500/1-10 | ||
Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the identity, or any group of facts that tends to lead to the identity, of any person whose condition or treatment is submitted to the Healthy Illinois Survey is confidential and shall not be open to public inspection or dissemination and is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that information for specific research purposes may be released in accordance with procedures established by the Department. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Code shall apply regardless of the source of funds with which contracts are paid, including federal assistance moneys. Provides that, except as specifically provided in the Code, the Code shall not apply to procurement expenditures necessary for the Department of Public Health to conduct the Healthy Illinois Survey.
SUMMARY:
Amends the School Code. Sets forth a list of nonfiction, fiction, and children’s books about racism that shall be required reading for students in every public elementary and secondary school beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Requires that the instruction in the material presented by each book be age appropriate and taught at the appropriate grade level. Effectively immediately. BILL PROGRESS: In Committee LAST ACTION: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee ACTION DATE: 03/27/2021
Specifically, EO 13950, among other things, prohibited Federal agencies from teaching, advocating, acting upon, or promoting in any training to agency employees certain divisive concepts, such as concepts that include a teaching or belief that “(1) one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; (2) the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist; (3) an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; (4) an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex; (5) members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex; (6) an individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex; (7) an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; (8) any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex; or (9) meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race”.
This bill gives local health decisions and rulings to the Illinois State Board of Education rather than local school boards. 16,000 witness slips were signed in May/June 2021 and then the bill was tabled. The name of the bill has been changed along with a few other adjustments to the bill. All 16,000 witness slips were voided. House Sponsors
Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. filed this bill on 8/27/2021.
Referred to Rules Committee 10/19/2021
HB4151 will make it a crime to orally protest, pass out flyers or handbills, carry a sign, or protest within 300 feet of a school zone (this bill attacks first amendment rights).
Illinois State Representative Terra Costa Howard introduced House Bill 4151, with the following Representatives as Co-Sponsors: Daniel Didech, Ann M. Williams, Bob Morgan, Margaret Croke, Sam Yingling, Kathleen Willis and Anne Stava-Murray
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 2/18/2022
Prohibits School Mandates On Students:
Illinois State Representative David A. Welter filed HB4149, with Rep. Amy Grant and Andrew Chesney as co-sponsors.
Requires school boards to report, on their school district’s website, a list of the learning materials and activities to be used for student instruction during the school year.
Referred to House Rules Committee
Requires school districts post all instructional material to the district website
Pending Senate Assignments Committee
Requires a school board to ensure curriculum and learning materials are posted on the school district’s Internet website.
Referred to House Rules Committee
Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning sex education, including changing the name to sexual health and changing course requirements. Makes changes concerning family life course requirements. Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act to make changes concerning the educational areas a comprehensive health education program must include. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
04/20/2021
Requires a school board to adopt a policy to ensure that the parent or guardian of a student is provided with an opportunity to review the curricula and learning material used in the student’s classroom.
Pending Senate Assignments Committee
Amends the School Code. Provides that prior to approving a contract for any district-administered assessment, except those assessments developed by district teachers or administrators, that will be used to measure student progress at an attendance center within the school district, a school board must hold a public hearing at a regular or special meeting of the school board, in which the terms of the proposal must be substantially presented and an opportunity for allowing public comments must be provided. Provides that notice of such public hearing must be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing by specified methods. Effective immediately.
Introduced
Referred to Assignments
01/26/2022
Amends the School Code. Requires school districts to make reasonable efforts to provide ongoing professional development to teachers, administrators, school board members, school resource officers, and staff on non-exclusionary discipline practices. Effective July 1, 2023.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
03/25/2022
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code with respect to high school course requirements. Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, provides that foreign language courses may include courses in machine control language. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
02/10/2022
Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Supporting Special Needs Students Act. Amends the School Code. When computing certain completion rates, requires the State Superintendent of Education to exclude students who: are at least 18 years of age as of September 1 of the school year as reported for the fall semester and have satisfied the credit requirements for high school graduation; have not completed their individualized education program; and are enrolled and receiving individualized education program services. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, in high school districts in counties with populations greater than 800,000 but less than 4,000,000 where there are 2 high schools individually serving grades 9 through 12 and where enrollment is less than 2,500 at any school, enrollment shall be balanced across high schools within the district equally, not to exceed a 15% enrollment difference when averaged over the previous 3 consecutive years.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
03/25/2022
Amends the School Code. Removes provisions preventing a charter from not being renewed for a term if an authorizer fails to establish standards and goals. Provides that prior to submitting a renewal proposal a charter school must submit its renewal proposal via certified mail or electronic mail to the local school board, which may, no later than 30 days following the receipt of the renewal proposal, choose to either: (i) take no action on the renewal, which can thereafter be submitted to the State Board as the chartering entity, or (ii) renew the charter school as the chartering entity. Removes provisions requiring that when a charter school is revoked or not renewed, a school board must place all enrolled students in schools that are higher performing than the charter school. Provides that when a State Board reverses a local board’s decision to revoke or not renew a charter based on the State Board approving a lesser amount of funding, then the State Board must remand the appeal to allow the local school board to determine if they will renew the charter at the lesser amount. Provides that the State Board shall biannually (currently, no listed reporting timetable) report the number of charter school participants in a school district which shall be disaggregated by race and ethnicity, household income, students who are English learners, students who have an individualized education program, gender, and students who are homeless. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Introduced
Referred to Assignments
01/21/2022
Amends the School Construction Law. Provides that for school districts that have consolidated or approved a cooperative high school within a prior fiscal year, the grant index shall be calculated for each of those school districts that form the new school district or cooperative high school. Provides that whichever grant index is the highest shall be used as the grant index for the newly consolidated school district or approved cooperative high school. Amends the priority of school construction projects by adding 2 additional categories of capital needs and reordering the priority of the remaining categories of capital needs. Makes a related change. Effective immediately.
Introduced
Referred to Assignments
01/21/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2022.
Introduced
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick
01/26/2022
Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the adoption of rules by the State Board of Education governing time out and physical restraint in the public schools. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board to create a grant program for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices. Allows the State Board to contract with a third party to provide assistance with oversight and monitoring, and requires the State Board to establish reduction goals and a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring. Makes changes in provisions concerning a school board’s use of time out and physical restraint, including providing that isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint may be used only under certain circumstances, prohibiting the deprivation of necessities and prone, mechanical, and chemical restraint, and requiring a meeting with school personnel if requested by the parent or guardian, the provision of information to parents and guardians, and written procedures. Effective immediately.
In Committee
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/23/2021
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a program in which the State Board shall issue a voucher to the parent or guardian of a student, upon request of the parent or guardian, if: (1) the student was enrolled in a school district for a particular school year; (2) during that school year, the school board decided not to provide an option for full-time, in-person instruction at school as the primary method of instruction to students; and (3) the parent or guardian withdrew the student from enrollment in the district because the school board decided not to provide an option for full-time, in-person instruction. Sets forth provisions concerning the voucher amount and its use. Effective immediately
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/16/2021
Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Provides that funds received by the Chicago school district for low-income, English learner, and special education resources must be distributed to every school of the district in the appropriate amount specified under the Essential Elements component of the funding formula. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/16/2021
Amends the School Code. With regard to the State Board of Education’s student discipline report, provides that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, the State Board must annually collect data on all of the data elements pertaining to school discipline, student seclusion, and student restraint collected by the U.S. Department of Education as part of its Civil Rights Data Collection. Provides that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, the State Board must collect data on all disciplinary incidents that result in office referrals but do not result in out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, disciplinary transfers to alternative schools, referrals to law enforcement, or school-based arrests. Sets forth the categories of data that must be collected by the State Board and included in the school discipline report. Sets forth provisions regarding a school discipline improvement plan. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to convene an Equitable and Restorative School Discipline Advisory Council to advise the State Board on the ongoing implementation of school discipline policies in this State. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
In committee
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
05/21/2021
Amends the School Code. Creates the School District Efficiency Commission. Provides for the membership, meetings, and support of the Commission. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on the number of school districts in this State, the optimal amount of enrollment for a school district, and where reorganization and realignment of school districts would be beneficial in this State; specifies the areas on which the recommendations must focus. Provides that, on or before May 1, 2022, the Commission must vote on its recommended propositions and file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that if the Commission adopts the report by an affirmative vote of at least 11 of its members, then the Commission’s specific propositions for reorganization of school districts into unit school districts shall be filed with the appropriate regional superintendent of schools; sets forth the regional superintendent’s duties with respect to a proposition. Repeals these provisions on January 31, 2023. Makes a change in the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article concerning financial incentives. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Don Harmon
02/23/2022
Amends the Article of the School Code concerning special charter districts. With respect to the election of a board of education in a special charter district having a population of over 35,000, provides that the nomination of a candidate for a member of the board of education shall be made by petitions signed by at least 50 voters or 10% of voters, whichever is less, residing in the school district (rather than signed in the aggregate by not less than 200 qualified voters residing in the school district). Amends the Article of the Code concerning school districts from 100,000 to 500,000 inhabitants. Provides that a board of education member shall be elected for a term of 4 years (rather than 5 years) and shall serve until his or her successor is elected and has qualified. Provides that the term of a board of education member commences after (i) the election authority has canvassed the votes and proclaimed the results and (ii) the member-elect has taken the oath of office (rather than on July 1). Specifies that a board of education shall have all of the rights, powers, and duties as are provided for other school boards under the School Boards Article of the Code. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/16/2021
Amends the Evaluation of Employees Article of the School Code. In a provision concerning the development of evaluation plans, provides that each school district shall determine research-based and proven evaluation practices (instead of incorporating the use of data and indicators on student growth). Provides that the practices may include incorporating the use of data and indicators on student growth, student surveys, teacher self-evaluation, goal-setting practices, peer-to-peer feedback, practices developed and approved by a specified joint committee, or practices recommended by the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council. Makes conforming changes. Provides that if a joint committee does not reach agreement on an evaluation plan, then the evaluation rating shall be based on professional practice as established by the district’s evaluation plan (instead of implementing a model evaluation plan). Provides that the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council may develop non-regulatory guidance on research-based and proven evaluation practices.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/23/2021
Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
05/07/2021
Amends the School Code. Creates the School District Efficiency Commission. Provides for the membership and support of the Commission. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on the number of school districts in this State, the optimal amount of enrollment for a school district, and where reorganization and realignment of school districts would be beneficial in this State; specifies the topics on which the recommendations must focus. Provides that, on or before May 1, 2023, the Commission must vote on its recommendations and submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that if the Commission adopts the report recommendations by an affirmative vote of at least 11 of its members, then the Commission’s recommendations for reorganization of school districts into unit school districts must be placed on the ballots of the designated school districts in the next general election in the same manner as petitions approved by a regional superintendent of schools, except without financial incentives. Provides that the Commission is dissolved the day after the report is filed with the Governor and the General Assembly. Repeals the provision on February 1, 2024. Makes a conforming change in the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/1
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may award a contract to a bidder who is not the lowest responsible bidder if the school board has considered factors of social responsibility in its decision to award the contract to the bidder. Provides that factors of social responsibility include, but are not limited to, businesses owned by women, minorities, persons with disabilities, or veterans and bidders who have programs or relationships that benefit such businesses. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/16/2021
Amends the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article of the School Code. Provides that, upon dissolution of an elementary district, each individual parcel of that elementary district must be annexed by the school district closest geographically to that parcel.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/16/2021
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history; contains provisions governing this instruction. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States shall include the study of the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the heroic service of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army during World War II.
In Committee
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
04/20/2021
Amends the School Code. Makes changes to the provisions of the Code relating to policies addressing sexual abuse. In the Courses of Study Article, repeals the sex education, family life, and instruction on diseases provisions. Instead, creates an age-appropriate comprehensive sex education program that shall be taught to students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. Provides that the sex education curricula shall, among other provisions, provide information regarding sexual health, consent, personal safety, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. Provides that the instruction, among other provisions, shall incorporate discussion about diversity in cultures, families, gender identity, economic status, and the roles that these factors play in the development of sexual health and human relationships. Contains provisions that allow a parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from receiving the instruction. Provides for the formation of a committee to assist in the implementation of these provisions. Makes changes in the Chicago School District Article concerning AIDS training. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman
04/21/2021
Amends the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article of the School Code. Within 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, requires elementary school districts to form new school districts but only with other elementary school districts and high school districts to form new school districts but only with other high school districts, notwithstanding any referendum requirements or any other laws to the contrary. Provides that the State Board of Education shall facilitate the creation of the new school districts by providing recommendations on which districts must consolidate. Sets forth the factors that the State Board must take into consideration. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
04/16/2021
Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires a school district to provide to students enrolled in grades 10 through 12 the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and consult with a military recruiter during regular school hours and in a location situated on school grounds.
In Committee
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
02/10/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district may offer a firearm safety training course to students in grades 9 through 12, which may include instruction on hunting safety. Provides that if a school district offers the course, a student may not be required to take the course. Provides that if a school board intends to offer a firearm safety training course, it must develop a policy to implement the course and must publish that policy on the district’s website.
In Committee
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Patrick J. Joyce
02/10/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that, in an elementary district that is located entirely within a municipality with less than 50,000 inhabitants, a proposition to require members of the board of education to be appointed by the mayor or president of the municipality, rather than being elected, shall be certified by the secretary of the board of education to the proper election authority if a petition requesting the proposition is signed by electors of the school district numbering not less than 10% of the total vote cast at the last election for mayor or president of the municipality and the petition is filed with the secretary of the board of education. Requires the election authority to submit the proposition at an election in accordance with the Election Code. Specifies the requirement for the form of such a proposition. Provides that if a majority of those voting on the proposition vote in favor of it, all existing terms of the board or education members shall expire on the date of the next regular election of board of education members or when a successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later, and their successors shall be appointed by the mayor of the municipality for terms of 2 years.
Introduced
Referred to Rules Committee
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district operating one or more high schools, a charter school, or a private secondary school shall not make or enforce a rule subjecting a high school student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that, when engaged in outside of the campus, is protected from governmental restriction by the United States Constitution or the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a student who is enrolled in a school at the time that the school has made or enforced a rule that the student would be protected from may commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by the court. Provides that the new provisions do not apply to a private secondary school that is controlled by a religious organization to the extent that the application would not be consistent with the religious tenets of the organization. Provides that an employee shall not be dismissed, suspended, disciplined, reassigned, transferred, or otherwise retaliated against solely for acting to protect a student engaged in conduct authorized under the new provisions, or refusing to infringe upon conduct that is protected.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that if the parent or guardian of a student wants the student to receive comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education, the student’s parent or guardian must opt the student in to receive that education (rather than allowing a student’s parent or guardian to opt the student out of comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education). Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. David A. Welter
03/16/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that any child from a public school, subject to guidelines established by the State Board of Education, shall be permitted by a school board at least one school day-long excused absence per school year for any middle school or high school student for a child that is absent from school to engage in a civic event. A school board may require that the student provide advance notice of the intended absence and require that the student provide documentation of participation in a civic event.
Crossed Over
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As April 8, 2022
04/01/2022
Creates the Efficient School District Commission. Provides for the membership and support of the Commission. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the electorate on the number of school districts in this State and where reorganization and realignment of school districts into unit districts would be beneficial. Sets forth what areas the recommendations must focus on, including drafting recommendations to reduce the statewide total number of school districts through the reorganization of school districts into unit districts. Provides that, on or before May 1, 2024, the Commission must vote on its recommendations and file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that if the Commission adopts the recommendations by an affirmative vote of at least 13 of its members, then the Commission’s specific recommendations for reorganization of school districts into unit districts shall be filed with the appropriate regional superintendent of schools. Sets forth the regional superintendent’s and State Superintendent of Education’s duties with respect to the recommendations. Repeals these provisions on January 31, 2025. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/3
Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires each school board to post on its district’s Internet website, if one is maintained, or in the district’s main administrative office, if the district does not maintain an Internet website, all curricula to be taught in each school during the next school year for parents and guardians of students to review. Provides that, as part of the posting, the school board shall identify how each school’s curricula align with the Illinois Learning Standards. Provides that if the curricula is updated at any time during the school year, the posted curricula shall be revised to reflect the updated curricula. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/31/2022
Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to adopt a policy to (i) allow the parent or legal guardian of a child to notify the school principal or a designee in writing that the parent or legal guardian objects to the use of specific course material and (ii) allow the child to use alternative course material. Requires the alternative course material to be provided at the expense of the parent or legal guardian. Requires the content of the alternative course material to be sufficiently equivalent to the specific course material to enable the child to meet State standards in a particular subject area. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. David A. Welter
03/16/202
Amends the School Code. Allows a school board to discontinue, by publicly adopted resolution, any instructional mandate in the Courses of Study Article of the School Code unless a separate State appropriation is made for the school district that provides full funding for the specific instructional mandate (with exceptions). Provides that if a student requests information on any instructional mandate that has been discontinued, then the school district shall provide the student with the requested information. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from revising its teaching standards or learning standards without the approval of the General Assembly through adoption of a joint resolution outlining the State Board’s specific revisions and granting the State Board the authority to revise those standards. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/1
Amends the School Code. Changes base funding minimum calculation for evidence-based funding. Provides that, for the 2022-2023 and subsequent school years, the Base Funding Minimum of Organizational Units with a Final Percent of Adequacy at or below 80% and Specially Funded Units shall be the sum of (i) the amount of Evidence-Based Funding for the prior school year, (ii) the Base Funding Minimum for the prior school year, and (iii) any amount received by a school district pursuant to Public Act 100-21. Provides that, for the 2022-2023 and subsequent school years, the Base Funding Minimum of Organizational Units with a Final Percent of Adequacy above 80% shall be the sum of (i) the amount of Evidence-Based Funding for the prior school year and (ii) the Base Funding Minimum for the prior school year divided by the Organizational Unit’s Average Student Enrollment for the prior school year and multiplied by the Organizational Unit’s Average Student Enrollment for the current school year. Makes corresponding changes. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/31/2022
Amends the School Code. By December 31, 2022, requires the State Board of Education to create a Parent Advisory Committee for the purpose of reviewing and making recommendations to the State Board with respect to the State Board’s process of adopting new teaching or learning standards. Requires the State Board to review and consider the recommendations made by the committee prior to adopting a proposed teaching or learning standard, but does not require the State Board to accept any of the recommendations. Sets forth the membership of the committee; requires all committee members to be the parent of a student enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in this State. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Sets forth provisions concerning vacancies on the committee and committee meetings. Requires the State Board to provide administrative support to the committee. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/31/202
Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to ensure parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school district are free to petition the school board and provide public comment at all public and regularly scheduled meetings, have access to certain information, are well-informed on specified subject matters, and have the right to meet with a pupil’s teacher at least twice per school year. Requires a school board to ensure curriculum and learning materials are posted on the school district’s Internet website. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning sex education, including changing the name to sexual health and changing course requirements. Makes changes concerning family life course requirements. Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act to make changes concerning the educational areas a comprehensive health education program must include. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
04/23/2021
Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from developing, purchasing, or requiring a school district to administer, develop, or purchase a standardized assessment for students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2, other than for diagnostic purposes. Prohibits the State Board of Education from providing funding for any standardized assessment of students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2. Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Referred to Assignments
03/07/2022
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the State Board of Education’s school report card, makes changes concerning students participating in a gifted education program, accelerated placement, or another advanced academic program. Sets forth what practices may be incorporated into a school district’s plan to expand access to its accelerated placement program. Makes changes concerning the evidence-based funding formula with respect to gifted and advanced academic program investments, the utilization of gifted and advanced academic program resources, gifted education representation on the Professional Review Panel, and the Panel’s review of gifted and advanced academic programming.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/25/2022
Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to adopt a policy to ensure that the parent or guardian of a student is provided with an opportunity to review the curricula and learning material used in the student’s classroom at any point during the school year if the parent or guardian requests to review the curricula and learning material. Requires the policy to be published in the student handbook and on the school district’s Internet website if one is maintained. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that each school board shall adopt a policy to allow pupils, parents, guardians, and members of the public to review each textbook that the superintendent or school board is considering approving for use in the schools of the district for a period of no less than 30 days prior to the textbook being approved for use by the superintendent or the school board. Provides that the policy must be published in the student handbook and on the district’s Internet website if one is maintained. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/31/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district shall develop a plan for electronic learning by January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that every school district shall include safe gun storage information in schools’ student handbooks. Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As April 8, 2022
03/28/2022
Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from taking any action that requires students enrolled in grades 3 through 8 to take the annual assessment or any part of the annual assessment in English language arts and mathematics more than once per school year. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Defines terms. Provides that no school district is obligated to comply with any mandate in any school year in which the school district is designated as a Tier 3 or Tier 4 organizational unit with specified exceptions. Provides that before discontinuing or modifying a mandate, the school district shall conduct a public hearing separate of a regular school board meeting. Provides notice requirements for the public hearing. Provides that the discontinuation and modification of a mandate shall not be more than 5 years and while the school district is still designated as either Tier 3 or Tier 4. Provides that the voters of a school district may submit a petition to place a question on the ballot at the next regularly scheduled election to discontinue or modify a mandate. Provides that no school district that discontinues or modifies a mandate shall be limited in their authority to participate in interscholastic athletics or activities or any other extracurricular events. Effective July 1, 2022.
Introduced
Referred to Rules Committee
01/27/2022
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. With respect to safety education instruction for students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 6, adds education in water safety that incorporates the water safety instructional materials and resources developed by the American Red Cross and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that alternative learning opportunities programs may include high school completion programs that allow certain students eligible for remote learning to complete their education while incarcerated in a Department of Corrections facility. Provides that the Chicago Board of Education may offer a remote learning option to a student who is in the custody of the Department of Corrections if the student (i) is enrolled at Consuella B. York Alternative High School at the time the student is transferred to a Department of Corrections facility or had been enrolled in the school within the 6 months prior to being transferred to a Department of Corrections facility and (ii) is within 2 school years of completing all of the course requirements necessary for high school graduation. Allows the school district to continue to offer the option of remote learning to the student to complete any remaining course requirements necessary for high school graduation for up to one school year following the student’s release from the custody of the Department of Corrections. Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
04/01/2022
Amends the School Code. If the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency related to COVID-19 pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, prohibits the State Board of Education from (i) revoking or removing a school district’s recognition status, (ii) revoking a person’s educator license, or (iii) prohibiting a school district or student from participating in interscholastic athletics or other activities or events for failing to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts, policies, rules, and guidance adopted by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health. In provisions concerning the use of isolated time out and time out, makes changes to the definitions of “isolated time out” and “time out”. Sets forth procedures concerning the use of isolated time out and time out if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency related to COVID-19 pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Adds provisions related to disciplinary actions imposed on students who refuse to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts in policies, rules, and guidance adopted by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires course content in civics education to include a comparative study and discussion of certain political ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to the founding of the United States. Sets forth requirements concerning the content. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires students in grades 9 through 12 to study and successfully complete (rather than just study) courses that include instruction in the area of consumer education. Requires the instruction in consumer education to include planning and paying for postsecondary education and studying economics. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, provides that the State Board of Education shall require at least one full school year of instruction in consumer education. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/21/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a school board or local school council shall not prohibit the right of a student to wear or accessorize graduation attire with items associated with the student’s cultural or ethnic identity or any protected characteristic or category identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the items used to accessorize graduation attire may include, but are not limited to, flags, pins, or any other relevant item. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
01/05/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall employ a ratio of no less than one school counselor to 150 students (rather than allowing a school district to employ a ratio of no less than one school counselor to 250 students). Requires school counselors to meet with their assigned students at least once each month.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II
04/01/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders to provide technical assistance and training. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second (and in higher grades under certain circumstances) for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if a student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
02/24/2022
Amends the School Code. Specifies that menstrual hygiene products shall be made available in all bathrooms (rather than in bathrooms) of every school building that are open for student use in grades 4 through 12 during the regular school day. Provides that the school employee or third-party contractor who is responsible for ordering, stocking, and replenishing the supply of toilet tissue and paper towels in school bathrooms shall be responsible for ordering, stocking, and replenishing the supply of menstrual hygiene products in the bathrooms. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart
02/17/2022
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the health examinations and immunizations that school children are required to receive, provides that a child may not be required to submit proof of having received an immunization against COVID-19 upon enrolling in school nor may a child already enrolled in school be required to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Amends the Communicable Disease Prevention Act. Pursuant to the School Code provisions, prohibits the Department of Public Health from adopting any rules that require children to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board or the governing board of a nonpublic school has the authority to determine, in consultation with the local health department, whether to implement mask-wearing requirements for school staff, students, and visitors when the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency related to COVID-19. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Grant
12/29/2021
Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education, school districts, and elementary and secondary schools from requiring the teachers, other staff, or students of a school to wear a face mask due to the COVID-19 public health emergency disaster declared by the Governor pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. With regard to the student discipline report, provides that the report must include data on the total number of school days missed by a student due to an out-of-school suspension or expulsion and data on the number of arrests made by law enforcement officers of students on school grounds, in school vehicles, at school activities or school-sanctioned events, or as a result of referrals by school officials. Provides that the report must be disaggregated by whether a student qualifies for services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the total number of school days missed by the student, and the incident type that caused the suspension, expulsion, or removal to an alternative setting. Provides that, in compiling the report, the State Board of Education must use the same disclosure avoidance standards used by the United States Department of Education in its public reporting of data submitted by each school district as part of the Civil Rights Data Collection and must also ensure that cross-tabulation by the various categories of disaggregation is possible. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to convene an Equitable and Restorative School Discipline Advisory Council to advise the State Board of Education on the ongoing implementation of school discipline policies in this State. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
03/04/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require that a school construction project commenced on or after January 1, 2022 include the installation of a solar energy system or other renewable energy system. Provides that the project may also include the installation of a supplemental conventional energy system. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to undertake a study to determine whether silent panic alarms should be installed in all public elementary and secondary schools in this State. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning October 1, 2021, culturally responsive teaching standards shall apply to the issuance of all professional educator licenses endorsed in teaching, school support personnel, and administrative fields. Provides that the culturally responsive teaching standards shall apply both to candidates for licensure and to educator preparation programs. Provides that the standards shall include (i) self-awareness and relationships to others, (ii) systems of oppression, (iii) students as individuals, (iv) students as co-creators, (v) leveraging student advocacy, (vi) family and community collaboration, (vii) content selections in all curricula, and (viii) student representation in the learning environment. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Allows a school district to utilize a remote learning day instead of an emergency day provided for in the school calendar. Provides that the number of remote learning days used in a school year may not exceed the number of emergency days provided for in the school calendar and the district superintendent must approve a remote learning plan for the district before the district may utilize a remote learning day. Sets forth what the plan must address, the term of approval, and how the plan must be posted. Sets forth district requirements. Allows statutory and regulatory curricular mandates and offerings to be administered via remote learning, allows for electronic communication for instruction and interaction between educators and students, and provides for rulemaking. Makes related changes. Effective July 1, 2021.
Crossed Over
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
03/31/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that no student attending a public school in any of grades kindergarten through 12 may be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board of Education to establish and implement a statewide, online curricula program that allows public schools the option to access school curricula, coursework, course material, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools or materials required for the successful completion of a course of study through an online portal. Provides that the program may be used to support in-person instruction and remote and blended remote learning and to supplement course curricula or may be used as a stand-alone resource available to educators and students. Provides that the program shall be made accessible to schools and students through a platform available through the State Board. Allows a school board to adopt a policy for the use and implementation of this program. Provides for funding and rulemaking.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. In provisions prohibiting students who do not take the State’s final accountability assessment or its approved alternate assessment from receiving a regular high school diploma, exempts a high school student from taking the assessment if: (1) the assessment is administered during the pendency of a disaster proclamation issued by the Governor as a result of a public health emergency or epidemic;(2) the student resides in a county that is subject to the gubernatorial disaster proclamation; (3) the student’s high school has implemented remote learning or blended remote learning procedures as a result of the public health emergency or epidemic; and (4) the parent or guardian of the student certifies to the high school that the student is immunocompromised, resides with an individual who is immunocompromised, or is a caretaker for an individual who is immunocompromised. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the Boundary Change Article of the School Code. With respect to a petition to change school district boundaries by detachment, annexation, division, or dissolution, provides that the length of time that signatures on the petition remain valid before the filing of the petition shall not exceed one year (rather than shall not exceed 6 months). Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
05/21/2021
Amends the School Code. Requires a school district to offer a program to prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 for a career and technical education pathway by introducing students to career exploration opportunities that allow students to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand career fields. Sets forth what a school district shall provide in its career and technical education pathway program. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1
03/31/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall require that schools provide daily time for supervised, unstructured, child-directed play for all students in kindergarten through grade 8. Provides that the time allotted for play must be at least 60 minutes and play periods shall be at least 15 consecutive minutes in length. Provides that play time must allow for unstructured play, may include organized games, and shall not include the use of computers, tablets, phones, or videos. Prohibits the withholding of play time as a disciplinary or punitive action. Provides that play time does not count as a course of physical education and that a course of physical education does not count towards the daily time for play. Provides that play time shall be considered clock hours. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the Instructional Materials Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district (including a charter school) shall require that books that are included as a part of any course, material, instruction, reading assignment, or other school curricula related to literature during the school year or that appear on summer reading lists must include books that are written by diverse authors, including, but not limited to, authors who are African American, women, Native American, LatinX, and Asian. Provides that reading material may not perpetuate bias against persons based on specified categories. Provides that for any school district utilizing federal funds under Title I, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the selection of each book to be included in a reading assignment, course material and instruction, or other school curricula related to literature must first receive prior approval from the school board before the book may be included. Provides that the criteria for the approval or denial of a book shall be determined by school board policy, but the minimum requirement is that the book may not be approved by the school board if the book contains language or material that is derogatory or racist or incites hate against any persons. Provides for rulemaking and guidelines. Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Referred to Assignments
03/16/2022
Amends the School Code. Requires instruction, study, and discussion in grades kindergarten through 8 on effective methods for the prevention and avoidance of drugs and the dangers of opioid and substance abuse (rather than effective methods for the prevention and avoidance of drug and substance abuse). Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the Article of the School Code concerning courses of study. In provisions relating to sex education, requires that course material and instruction include an age-appropriate discussion about the importance of establishing physical boundaries in relationships and interactions with others. Requires that the instruction must include a discussion about (i) how to set appropriate boundaries with others, (ii) how to respond to unwanted physical contact or advances, (iii) the importance of saying “no” in uncomfortable situations, and (iv) how to help a peer deal with an uncomfortable situation. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district may offer its students a course on gun safety as part of its curriculum during the school day or as part of an after-school program. Provides that the State Board of Education may prepare and make available to school boards resources on gun safety that may be used as guidelines for the development of a course. Effective immediately.
Crossed Over
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
02/09/2022
Amends the School Code. Provides that neither the Governor nor the Department of Public Health has any authority to suspend public and nonpublic school participation in extracurricular activities and programs for any duration even if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency. Provides that for the mental and physical health of students, school districts and nonpublic schools have the exclusive power and authority to allow students to continue to participate in extracurricular activities and programs even if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency. Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that neither the Governor nor the Department of Public Health has any authority to suspend public and nonpublic school participation in interscholastic athletics or athletic competition for any duration even if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency. Provides that an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State has the exclusive power and authority to set interscholastic athletic schedules even if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. If any payments from this State to a school district are delayed for at least one payment cycle, then allows the school board to discontinue, by publicly adopted resolution, any instructional mandate in the Courses of Study Article of the School Code during that time (with exceptions). Provides that if a student requests information on any instructional mandate that has been discontinued, then the school district shall provide the student with the requested information. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Removes portions of a school board member’s oath of office taken before taking seat on the board.
Crossed Over
Referred to Assignments
04/23/2021
HB2652
Amends the School Code. With regard to the Emotional Intelligence and Social and Emotional Learning Task Force, requires the Task Force to complete guidelines and recommendations on or before March 1, 2022 (rather than March 1, 2020). Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(b) / Motion Referred to Rules Committee
11/29/2021
Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from revising its teaching standards or learning standards without the approval of the General Assembly through adoption of a joint resolution outlining the State Board’s specific revisions and granting the State Board the authority to revise those standards. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, requires each school board to post on its district’s Internet website, if one is maintained, or in the district’s main administrative office, if the district does not maintain an Internet website, all curricula to be taught in each school during the next school year for parents and guardians of students to review. Provides that, as part of the posting, the school board shall identify how each school’s curricula aligns with the Illinois Learning Standards. Provides that if the curricula is updated at any time during the school year, the posted curricula shall be revised to reflect the updated curricula. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the School Code. Makes changes in the School Boards Article relating to policies addressing sexual abuse. In the Courses of Study Article, repeals the sex education, family life, and instruction on diseases provisions. Instead, sets forth comprehensive sex education requirements for course materials and instruction, requires the State Board of Education to post on its website comprehensive sex education resources for use in pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade, provides for school disclosure, parental requests, and notice, allows a school district to collaborate with a local public health department to identify and designate a qualified employee of the local public health department as the school district’s point of contact for the purposes of responding to inquiries and comments about course instruction and materials, requires the State Board to develop, maintain, and make publicly available State standards, and provides for rulemaking. Makes changes in the Chicago School District Article concerning AIDS training. Effective immediately.
In Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
04/23/2021
Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support.
In Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
04/23/2021
Amends the School Code. Allows a board of education to enter into a contract, of no longer than 3 months in duration, with a third party for non-instructional services currently performed by an employee or bargaining unit member in an emergency situation that threatens the safety or health of the school district’s students or staff or in the event of a disaster as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act (instead of for the purpose of augmenting the current workforce in an emergency situation that threatens the safety or health of the school district’s students). Provides that if, at the end of the contract, the Governor or the Director of Public Health has declared a disaster and all or part of the territory of the school district is covered by such a declaration, then the school board may renew the contract for a term of no longer than 3 months. Provides that changes made by Public Act 95-241 do not apply to a school board if the school district’s most recent final percent of adequacy under the evidence-based funding formula provisions is less than 85%. Allows a school board whose most recent final percent of adequacy is less than 85% to enter into a third-party contract for non-instructional services currently performed by an employee or bargaining unit member or lay off an educational support personnel employee, provided that the affected employee receives written notice of the removal or dismissal at least 30 days before the employee is removed or dismissed.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. By no later than December 31, 2021, requires the State Board of Education to establish learning standards for mathematics that do not incorporate the mathematics standards of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Requires these learning standards for mathematics to be implemented in all public schools beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Requires each school district to maintain records that are related to the utilization of remote and blended remote learning days. Sets forth what teacher information the records must include. Requires the school district to make the records available to the public in the district’s administrative office and on the district’s Internet website. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/20
HB0217
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may allow the motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in a conspicuous location inside or outside each school building.
Crossed Over
Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Dan McConchie
02/17/2022
HB1906
Amends the School Code. Until July 1, 2031, provides that a school district is relieved from the requirement to establish and implement certain unfunded mandates for a period of up to 5 years if specified conditions are met. In a provision that prohibits certain unfunded mandates, provides that the provision does not allow a school district or private school to discontinue or modify any law, rule, or regulation pertaining to special education, teacher educator licensure, teacher tenure and seniority, or voter eligibility; to fail to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act; or to discontinue or modify any requirement for student performance data to be a significant factor in teacher or principal evaluations or teachers and principals to be rated using specified categories. Requires a public hearing before discontinuing or modifying a mandate. Sets forth notice procedures and a review process. Provides that if the provisions prohibiting certain unfunded mandates conflict with the State Mandates Act, the provisions prohibiting certain unfunded mandates (instead of the State Mandates Act) shall prevail. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, each school district must provide a parent or guardian of an at-risk student information about appropriate and available community-based or in-school academic support services; defines “at-risk student” and specifies what those services may include. Provides that a school district shall not be responsible for any costs or transportation associated with a student’s participation in community-based academic support services. Effective July 1, 2022.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall employ a ratio of no less than one counselor to 150 students (rather than allowing a school district to employ a ratio of no less than one counselor to 250 students).
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
Creates the Education Prioritization Act. Beginning with fiscal year 2022, requires the General Assembly to appropriate for the evidence-based funding formula under the School Code an amount that is equal to or exceeds the sum of: (i) the total amount appropriated for the evidence-based funding formula during the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which the appropriation is being made; and (ii) 51% of total new general funds available for spending from estimated growth in revenues and funds available because of budgeted program growth and decline in the fiscal year for which the appropriation is being made; but in no event shall the sum be less than a certain percentage required under the Act. Requires a continuing appropriation if the General Assembly fails to make sufficient appropriations to fund the evidence-based funding formula. Amends the School Code to make changes concerning a system for accounting for revenues and expenditures and evidence-based funding. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/18/2022
Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Provides that funds received by the Chicago school district for low-income, English learner, and special education resources must be distributed to every school of the district in the appropriate amount specified under the Essential Elements component of the funding formula. Effective July 1, 2021.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
02/25/2022
Amends the State Finance Act to create the Trauma Response Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the School Code. Requires school boards to develop a trauma response protocol that shall be implemented in response to a traumatic event at a school, including, but not limited to, a shooting at the school. Sets forth various requirements for the protocol, including response by hospitals, trauma intervention services, and community engagement. Provides that all moneys in the Trauma Response Fund shall be paid as grants to school districts to implement the trauma response protocol. Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. Imposes a 1% surcharge on firearm ammunition, which shall be deposited into the Trauma Response Fund. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
HB0224
Amends the School Code. With regard to the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program, provides that for Fiscal Year 2022 only, the State Board of Education must award grants to eligible applicants under the Program to establish 50 after-school programs in 50 disadvantaged communities where the household income is greater than 95% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/202
Amends the School Code. Requires school districts with a population of 3,000 or more students to interview a minimum percentage of minority candidates for teaching positions. Exempts teaching positions within an English as a Second Language program from the requirement. Sets forth the formula for the school district to use to calculate the minimum percentage required. Provides that if the school district is unable to interview the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years, the school district must implement a program for school district employees interested in obtaining a Professional Educator License. Effective immediately.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/2021
HB0008
Amends the School Code. Provides that the school board of a school district that maintains grades 9 through 12 shall offer home economics as an elective high school course not required for graduation.
In Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
03/27/202
ILLINOIS BILLS THAT HAVE PASSED
Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from developing, purchasing, or requiring a school district to administer, develop, or purchase a standardized assessment for students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2, other than for diagnostic purposes. Prohibits the State Board of Education from providing funding for any standardized assessment of students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2. Effective immediately.
Passed
04/01/2022
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
Amends the School Code. Provides that school counseling services may include the promotion of career and technical education by assisting each student to determine an appropriate postsecondary plan based upon the student’s skills, strengths, and goals and assisting the student to implement the best practices that improve career or workforce readiness after high school.
Passed
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick
04/01/2022
Amends the School Code. Requires the school board of each school district to grant full-time employees of the district 5 mental health days each school year at full pay. Provides that the employee is not required to provide a medical note or other documentation to use the mental health day. Provides that used and uncompensated mental health days are not eligible for pensionable service credit under the Illinois Pension Code. Effective immediately.
Passed
Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley
04/01/2022
Amends the School Code. In regard to the Whole Child Task Force, requires that the goals of the Task Force must also include (i) ensuring that historically disadvantaged males, including African American students and other students of color, receive academic equity and achieve academic excellence by considering whether to require that every school district’s strategic plan focus on historically disadvantaged male students, including African American students and other students of color, as a specific student group to ensure educational equity and (ii) considering whether to establish a dedicated office within the State Board of Education to focus on the achievement of academic excellence and equity for historically disadvantaged males, including African American students and other students of color. Effective immediately.
Passed
Passed Both Houses
04/01/2022
Amends the Illinois School Student Records Act. Provides that school student records or information may be shared under an intergovernmental agreement, if the elementary school district and the high school district have attendance boundaries that overlap and are parties to an intergovernmental agreement that allows the sharing of student records and information between the districts. Requires the sharing of student information under an intergovernmental agreement to be voluntary, to apply only to students who have been enrolled in both districts or would be enrolled in both districts based on district attendance boundaries, and does not exceed the scope of information that is shared among schools in a unit school district. Allows the terms of an intergovernmental agreement to place further limitations on the information that is allowed to be shared. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0557
08/20/2021
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. With respect to the exceptions to the compulsory attendance requirement, provides that absence for cause by illness shall include the mental or behavioral health of a student for up to 5 days for which the child need not provide a medical note, in which case the child shall be given the opportunity to make up any school work missed during the mental or behavioral health absence.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0321
08/06/2021
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the term “restorative measures” includes alternatives to exclusionary discipline that increase student accountability if the incident of bullying is based on religion, race, ethnicity, or any other category that is identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Requires the State Board of Education to provide funding for counselors to support mediation with regard to incidents of bullying that are based on religion, race, ethnicity, or any other category that is identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0241
08/03/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that all public schools shall provide daily time for supervised, unstructured, child-directed play for all students in kindergarten through grade 8. Specifies further requirements concerning play time. Provides that play time shall not count as a course of physical education. Provides that play time shall be considered clock hours for purposes of the Code. Provides for the inclusion of students with disabilities in play time. Provides that public schools shall prohibit the withholding of play time as a disciplinary or punitive action, except when a student’s participation in play time poses an immediate threat to the safety of the student or others. Effective July 1, 2021.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0357
08/13/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that, upon knowledge of an incident of sexual assault by a student against another student, a school district shall report the incident to the State Board of Education; defines “sexual assault”. Provides that the State Board shall post on its website for each school year the total number of reported incidents statewide and in each school district. Provides that the State Board shall also report the data annually to the General Assembly no later than September 1 of each year.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0294
Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Makes changes concerning how an organizational unit’s adjusted equalized assessed valuation is calculated.
Passed
Passed Both Houses
03/30/2022
Amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act. As a part of the school lunch program, requires a school district to provide a plant-based school lunch option to those students who submit a prior request to the school district requesting a plant-based school lunch option. Effective immediately.
Passed
Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Diane Pappas
03/29/2022
Amends the School Code. Makes changes to provisions relating to a school district’s policy addressing the sexual abuse of children. Provides that the policy must be adopted and implemented by no later than July 1, 2022. Provides that the policy shall (rather than may) include an age-appropriate and evidence-based curriculum (rather than age-appropriate curriculum) for students in pre-K through 12th (rather than 5th) grade. Requires a school district to include in its policy and all training materials and instruction a definition of prohibited grooming behaviors and boundary violations for school personnel and how to report these behaviors to school authorities. Sets forth what the policy must address. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0610
08/27/2021
Amends the School Code to create the State Education Equity Committee within the State Board of Education. Provides that the purpose of the committee is to strive to ensure equity in education for all children from birth through grade 12. Sets forth the membership of the task force. Contains provisions concerning meetings, duties, and reporting. Repeals a Section concerning the Advisory Council on At-Risk Students. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0458
08/20/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, every public high school may include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on media literacy; defines “media literacy”. Provides requirements for the unit of instruction. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials that may be used as guidelines for the unit of instruction. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0055
07/09/2021
Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the adoption of rules by the State Board of Education governing time out and physical restraint in the public schools. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board to create a grant program for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices. Allows the State Board to contract with a third party to provide assistance with oversight and monitoring, and requires the State Board to establish reduction goals and a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring. Makes changes in provisions concerning a school board’s use of time out and physical restraint, including providing that isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint may be used only under certain circumstances, prohibiting the deprivation of necessities and prone, mechanical, and chemical restraint, and requiring a meeting with school personnel if requested by the parent or guardian, the provision of information to parents and guardians, and written procedures. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0339
08/13/2021
Amends the School Code. To ensure that the content available on any third party online curriculum that is made available to enrolled students or the public by a school district through the Internet is readily accessible to persons with disabilities, provides that the State Board of Education shall require that the third party online curriculum comply with Level AA of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0238
08/02/2021
Amends the School Code. Provides that sex education course material and instruction in grades 6 through 12 must include an age-appropriate discussion on sexting; defines “sexting”. Provides that the discussion on sexting must include an exploration of: (i) the possible consequences of sexting, (ii) the identification of situations in which bullying or harassment result from sexting, (iii) the possible long-term consequences of sexting, (iv) the importance of using the Internet safely, (v) the identification of individuals in the school or community that may be contacted for assistance with issues, concerns, or problems, and (vi) the development of strategies for resisting peer pressure and for communicating in a positive manner. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0412
08/20/2021
Amends the School Code. With respect to school districts with more than 275,000 inhabitants, requires a school to provide written notification to (i) the parent or guardian of any student who commits an act or acts of misconduct and (ii) the parent or guardian of any student who is the victim of that act of misconduct and requires a copy of any statement made by the student who committed the act of misconduct to be provided to the student’s or guardian within 24 hours after the statement has been made. Sets forth the information that must be included in the disciplinary report. Requires that a copy of the disciplinary report be provided to the parent or guardian of the disciplined student. Effective immediately.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0251
08/06/2021
Amends the School Code. Permits student instruction to be received electronically under a school district’s program for e-learning days while students are not physically present because a school was selected to be a polling place under the Election Code.
Signed/Enacted
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0584
08/27/2021
VETOED BILLS/NO ACTION TAKEN
Amends the School Code. With respect to the daily pupil attendance calculation, provides that instead of school improvement days with students in attendance a minimum of 3 clock hours, a school district may opt to have a school improvement day without students in attendance for up to 4 times in a given school year. Provides that each such day may be counted as a day of attendance, provided that a sufficient number of clock hours have been accumulated beyond the 5 clock hours per day that students would have been in session. Effective immediately.
Vetoed
Total Veto Stands – No Positive Action Taken
03/04/2022
Congress
Short Titles
Short Titles as Enacted
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.
TITLE II–COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS
Subtitle A–Education Matters
Part 1–Department of Education
$122.8 billion more for K-12 schools through the CARES Act’s elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund. The bill includes “maintenance of effort” and “maintenance of equity” funding requirements.
IDPH Emergency Rule
IDPH changed the law, through an emergency rule, to eliminate “Quarantine, Modified” as part of the definition of “Quarantine” – see page 16.
Also, on page 21, IDPH repeatedly uses the term “Exclude” to keep children out of school.
Where to Find bills
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