IllinoisHB2986104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

HOLOCAUST COMM-SCHOOLS-MISC

Sponsored By: Diane Blair-Sherlock (Democratic)

Became Law

education policyassignmentseducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

21 provisions identified: 15 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Automatic access to advanced classes

Each district must have an open, fair accelerated‑placement policy that uses several measures and includes parents. Starting in 2023–24, students who exceed State standards in English, math, or science are automatically placed in the next harder course the next term. Starting in 2027–28, students who meet State standards are automatically eligible for the next harder course. For grade 12, the next English or math course is dual credit, AP, or IB if offered; grade 9 placement may use State tests from grades 6–8, and other high school grades may use a recent nationally normed test. Districts must notify families and, if no choice is made, enroll the student; families can choose alternate courses that match goals. Districts may waive a required course if the student shows mastery and the district keeps written documentation. The State sets data rules, and districts had to plan by November 1, 2022 to expand access and staffing.

Stronger bilingual services for students

Each district must identify and classify English learners by March 1 every year. If 20 or more students at a school share a home language, the district must run a transitional bilingual program there. With fewer than 20, the district must give each student help based on an individual language test, including content taught in another language as needed. Students stay in the program for up to 3 years or until they reach English proficiency; they may continue longer if the district and parent agree. Schools give a yearly English test in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. If later evidence shows a student left too soon, the student can re‑enroll for the time that was left.

Big-city school block grant flexibility

Districts in cities over 500,000 people can spend State general education block grant dollars on any included program or any lawful board purpose. They still must provide all services required by the programs in the block grant. Special education money in the block grant is treated as payment for the prior fiscal year’s services. Historically through FY2017, grants were based on each district’s 1995 shares (Summer Bridges used 44%), and Article 1C block grants were counted as program appropriations with reimbursements continuing.

Big-city schools get block grants

For districts in cities over 500,000 people, the State gives two block grants each year instead of many separate program lines. The general education block grant covers listed academic and support programs; the educational services block grant covers transportation, meals, special education, summer school, and service centers. Preschool Education, Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative are included only through June 30, 2026. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, the Department of Early Childhood gives a separate preschool/parent/prevention block grant to those districts. Districts do not need to apply; the State schedules payments, excludes federal funds, and audits and records these grants.

Career-tech grants and school credit

The State can give grants, if funded, to districts that partner with companies to run Tech Prep career programs. Partner companies must provide facilities, make significant financial contributions, and offer career opportunities to trained students; the State may promote the program. The State Superintendent is encouraged to let students earn academic credit for approved work‑based Tech Prep, and districts may offer that credit.

Help center for deaf students with behavioral needs

Subject to funding, the State runs or contracts for a help center for children up to age 21 who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing and have emotional or behavioral disorders. The center serves as a first contact for families and professionals, coordinates services statewide, and provides case coordination, training, and technical help. It tracks funding and gaps, pilots services, and operates on a no‑reject basis for eligible referrals.

Holocaust Commission set through 2032

The law creates a State Holocaust Commission with 22 members. The Governor appoints 19 members, including one student; three state education and veterans officials serve as ex officio members. Legislative leaders name advisors. This section remains in effect until January 1, 2032.

One academic standard for all students

The State Board cannot set different performance standards by race or ethnicity. The state uses one set of standards for all students for testing and school improvement.

Preschool funds protected; more for ages 0-3

Beginning in FY2018, at least 25% of any increase for Preschool Education, Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative must fund programs for children ages 0–3. Money above the FY2017 level must supplement, not replace, other funding. Districts that get this block grant must report allocations, spending, who was served, service levels, and admin costs by program to the Department of Early Childhood, using the same reporting rules as other districts.

Statewide school climate surveys

The State pays for and runs a yearly climate survey for students in grades 4–12 and for teachers. Districts must give the survey in every school by the date the State sets, and give teacher surveys at times that do not disrupt classes. The State Superintendent publicly reports school, district, and State results and notes whether surveys were anonymous. Each year, the Superintendent approves 2–3 alternate survey tools that meet strict validity, reliability, and reporting standards and updates the list as needed.

Stronger oversight of charter authorizers

The State Board can remove a charter authorizer that does not use high‑quality practices. It can also revoke chronically low‑performing charters tied to that authorizer. The Board sets rules for what happens to schools when an authorizer loses its power.

Limits on district admin spending

For districts under 500,000 population, administrative spending cannot grow by more than 5% from the prior year. This rule starts in the 1998–99 school year and continues each year. If a district breaks the limit, it has 60 days after notice to provide assurances or fix it. The State Superintendent can use progressive penalties, up to withholding all general State aid or evidence-based funding until the district complies.

New rules for speech therapy assistants

To work as a speech‑language pathology assistant, you must hold a state license (effective January 1, 2002). Supervising SLPs need two extra years of experience and at least 10 hours of supervision training; the State Board sets rules and may allow exemptions. Assistants can follow written treatment plans and help with therapy, but cannot diagnose, change plans, or sign formal documents. During the first 90 days, supervisors directly observe at least 30% of student time; after that, at least 20%. A full‑time SLP can supervise up to 2 assistants (part‑time: 1), and parents get written notice if an assistant will serve their child.

District choice on school climate survey

A district may use a pre‑approved alternate climate survey at its own cost. It must notify the State Board by the set date and file a certificate signed by the union president and the school board president. The alternate must produce report‑card‑ready data and be given every school year.

School spending transparency and flexibility

Districts must post all contracts over $25,000 and any union contract on their website. Each year before December 1, districts must file and post a Statement of Affairs, with payments over $2,500 and staff pay totals; the State Board can stop processing Comptroller payments after December 15 until it is filed, and must post late statements by January 15. Districts must also send a contract report counting and totaling contracts over $25,000, including awards to minority-, women-, disability-, and local-owned businesses. Separately, a school board may reclassify some State aid or block grant funds to an entitled program by board resolution, up to that year’s entitlement; this does not change payment timing or program rules.

Tighter district audits and admin caps

Every district must get an independent audit as of June 30 and file it by October 15; the regional office forwards it by November 15 or orders and bills for a missed audit. Appointed treasurers must file a yearly financial statement by October 15; the State may withhold the district’s distributive funds until reports are filed. Districts subject to the 5% cap on administrative spending growth must file a one‑page report by November 15 showing last year’s actual and this year’s projected admin costs. Low‑spending districts (bottom 25% per pupil) may waive the 5% cap for one year after a public hearing and a two‑thirds board vote, and must notify the State Board within 45 days. Districts that exceed the cap due to factors beyond their control may seek an emergency waiver; sanctions pause while the General Assembly reviews it. Each year the State Superintendent publishes lists of districts that broke the cap and those that used a waiver. Districts that get block grants must also report how they allocate and spend those funds and the service levels by program; the State uses the same reporting rules for all districts.

Protects English learners from early exit

A district cannot move a student out of transitional bilingual education before year 3 unless two things happen: the parent gives written approval, and the student earns a test score the State Board says fits the grade.

Better coordination on bikeway spending

When spending bikeway funds, the state works with cities, counties, park districts, and others. Where practicable, it spreads spending among regions in line with bicycling population. The Transportation Secretary leads a bikeways council and meets at least quarterly with other state leaders to oversee the program.

Balanced school accountability committee

The law creates a Balanced Accountability Measure Committee with members named by statewide educator groups. It meets at least four times a year, gives feedback on the State Plan, and reviews how it is carried out by the end of 2019–20 and at least every three years after. Its work helps shape State Board rules.

Charter oversight reports posted online

Local boards that oversee at least one charter school must send a report to the State Board by September 30 of every odd‑numbered year. The State posts those reports online by November 1 of every odd‑numbered year. By the second Wednesday in January of every even‑numbered year, the State Board sends lawmakers a report on charter schools and authorizers covering the prior two school years.

Streamlines education agencies and repeals old programs

The law lists key departments inside the State Board of Education and lets the Board add more after consulting lawmakers. It repeals Article 1G and several School Code sections. It also repeals the Illinois Summer School for the Arts Act and the interagency board for children who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing with emotional or behavioral disorders.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Diane Blair-Sherlock
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Doris Turner
Democratic • Senate
Hoan Huynh
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 459 • No: 0

House vote • 5/30/2025

Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 House Concurs

Yes: 113 • No: 0

House vote • 5/30/2025

Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 House Concurs

Yes: 113 • No: 0

House vote • 5/29/2025

Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 5/29/2025

Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/22/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 58 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/7/2025

Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Do Pass as Amended Education;