IllinoisHB5551104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

SCH CD-VARIOUS FUNDING

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

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

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Bonuses and fee help for National Board teachers

The law funds cash incentives and fee help tied to National Board certification. Teachers and school counselors can get up to $2,000 for application or re‑take fees, and up to $1,000 for renewal. National Board Certified Teachers in hard‑to‑staff schools get $4,000 each year for five years. Mentors with a current National Board certificate earn $50 per hour, up to $2,250 a year. When funds allow, rural and remote incentives include a one‑time $3,000 for teachers, $3,200 a year for facilitators, $2,500 a year for liaisons, and an added $4,000 a year for two years for retention. Cohorts are limited to 20 candidates (minimum of 3 to form), and the State Board can provide facilitators, including virtual. Districts may grant salary lane credit for National Board work, and the State Board must report on the program by October 15, 2027.

Limits and fixes to school aid recalculations

The State Board lets districts recompute general State aid claims within 3 years. After an adverse court or agency decision that cuts tax revenue, adjustments are allowed within 6 years. These policies apply through Fiscal Year 2026. EAV changes must be more than $250,000 or more than 2% to trigger a recomputation. The Board must subtract assessment‑appeal reductions from the EAV used, for adjustments reported through FY2026. Statewide payments from recomputations are capped at $25 million each year; if approvals exceed the cap, payments are prorated and unpaid parts carry to the next year. Past‑year recomputations for 2016–2017 and earlier feed into evidence‑based funding starting in 2017–2018.

Stronger payments for special education placements

The state reimburses districts for special education tuition for students served in orphanages, foster homes, children’s homes, State agencies, or State residential units. Costs are pre‑approved, based on per‑student cost, and may include summer school for severe and profound disabilities. Private facilities must provide free classroom space on request. Districts file initial claims by November 1; estimated payments are vouchered on September 30, December 31, and March 31; final claims are due June 15, can be amended until August 1, and are vouchered by August 31. If funding is short, prior‑year shortfalls are paid on August 31 before current‑year claims. For non‑Illinois children, the placing agent must assure payment. When State agencies or courts place a student with a disability, the district of residence pays and can be reimbursed, and districts can appeal residence disputes to the State Superintendent. If a resident district fails to pay tuition, the State Board withholds 125% of the remaining annual cost from its state aid and sends it to the serving district. Nonpublic programs must meet state rules, and beginning July 1, 2026, separate public day schools must meet the state definition and rules to receive funding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Christopher Belt

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Diane Blair-Sherlock

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Katie Stuart

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lakesia Collins

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lisa Davis

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Meg Loughran Cappel

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michael Crawford

    Affiliation unavailable

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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