IllinoisHB5551104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

SCH CD-VARIOUS FUNDING

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the School Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning the recomputation and adjustment of a school district claim for general State aid or evidence-based funding shall end with Fiscal Year 2026. Provides that when a child from an orphanage, foster family home, other State agency, children's home, or State residential unit eligible for special education services is placed in a separate public day school, that school shall meet the programmatic requirements and regulations for separate public day schools. Provides that any funds appropriated for the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program must be used, among other purposes, for indirect costs necessary for Program operation. Provides that an annual retention bonus of up to $4,000 (rather than $4,000) per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools and such funds must be disbursed equally on an annual basis among all qualified educators (rather than on a first-come, first-served basis). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

education policyassignmentseducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Teachers get longer retention bonuses

An eligible teacher can receive $4,000 per school year for 5 consecutive years, up from 2 years. The teacher must work full time for the entire school term, hold an active National Board certificate, and be assigned to a hard-to-staff school. The teacher must keep working full time at that school or another hard-to-staff school. Bonuses are first-come, first-served; eligible applicants who are not funded get priority the next fiscal year in their original application order.

Teachers lose extra certification incentives

The law removes a one-time $3,000 payment for certain rural or remote teachers. It also removes annual payments of $3,200 for cohort facilitators and $2,500 for liaisons. The law does not provide replacement payments or state a new end date for these incentives.

Teachers get certification support options

Eligible current or retired educators can receive National Board certification fee help and other incentives, subject to available funds. The state can provide up to $2,000 for application or retake fees, up to $1,000 for renewal fees, and up to $2,250 a year for mentoring; application and retake fees go directly to the certification board. Education offices can form candidate cohorts of up to 20 people; a district or school can form one with at least 3 candidates. Districts may give salary-schedule credit for related professional development, but do not have to. Program funds can cover operating costs, but no longer cover the National Board Resource Center or instructional-leadership training.

New school rules for some disabled children

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, a separate public day school serving a child eligible for services under Section 14-7.03 must meet the required definition and program rules. The child’s educational services must be funded only under Section 14-7.03.

School aid recalculations face new limits

Illinois school districts can seek recalculation of certain aid claims received after June 30, 2003, and before July 1, 2026. Claims tied to an adverse court or agency decision must affect district tax revenue, and an equalized assessed valuation change must exceed $250,000 or 2%. The State Board of Education must include reported property assessment adjustments in its initial State aid calculation through Fiscal Year 2026. These adjustments and certain recalculations share a $25 million yearly cap; approved but unpaid prorated amounts can be claimed again the next fiscal year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Christopher Belt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Diane Blair-Sherlock

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stuart

    Democratic • House

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Loughran Cappel

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael Crawford

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 284 • No: 30

House vote • 5/28/2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs

Yes: 81 • No: 30

House vote • 5/27/2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/21/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 54 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/19/2026

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

Do Pass Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0524

    6/26/2026House
  2. Effective Date June 26, 2026

    6/26/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/26/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/23/2026House
  5. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis

    5/28/2026House
  6. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford

    5/28/2026House
  7. Passed Both Houses

    5/28/2026House
  8. House Concurs

    5/28/2026House
  9. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 081-030-000

    5/28/2026House
  10. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart

    5/28/2026House
  11. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 011-000-000

    5/27/2026House
  12. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Education Policy Committee

    5/25/2026House
  13. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee

    5/22/2026House
  14. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock

    5/22/2026House
  15. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

    5/21/2026House
  16. Arrived in House

    5/21/2026House
  17. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins

    5/21/2026Senate
  18. Third Reading - Passed; 054-000-000

    5/21/2026Senate
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading

    5/21/2026Senate
  20. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Loughran-Cappel

    5/21/2026Senate
  21. Recalled to Second Reading

    5/21/2026Senate
  22. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt

    5/20/2026Senate
  23. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education; 012-000-000

    5/19/2026Senate
  24. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education

    5/19/2026Senate
  25. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

    5/15/2026Senate

Bill Text

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