All Roll Calls
Yes: 216 • No: 96
IllinoisHB5552104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET
EDUCATION-VARIOUS
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Became Law
Summary
Amends the School Code. Makes changes to provisions regarding departments and functions of the State Board of Education, the teacher supply and demand report, waivers and modifications of mandates and administrative rules, audits of a school district's accounts, statements of affairs, the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board, evidence-based funding, the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, qualifications of educators, provisional educator endorsements on Educator Licenses with Stipulations, educator testing exemptions, the Teacher Performance Assessment Advisory Committee, teacher and principal model evaluation templates, children and students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence, the advisory committee under the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act, and charter school renewals. Changes the following terms: "Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund" to "Teacher Licensure Fee Revolving Fund"; "foreign countries" to "countries other than the United States"; "ethnic school" to "community-based heritage language school"; "foreign language" to "world language"; and "epinephrine injector" to "epinephrine delivery system". Repeals the Community Service Education Act, and makes changes in the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Makes other and conforming changes in the School Code, the State Finance Act, and various Acts relating to the governance of public universities. Effective immediately.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
29 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 2 costs, 11 mixed.
Help with high‑cost special education
When approved costs top $4,500, districts must pay and can get State reimbursement above set local thresholds. For public programs, the State reimburses what the district paid above its per‑student tuition charge. For private special‑ed schools, the State reimburses what the district paid above two times that charge. The law also creates a fund to support prioritized special‑needs programs at each school site.
Need‑based school funding across Illinois
The law applies an evidence‑based formula to every district. It sets staff ratios and per‑student costs to build each district’s Adequacy Target. Local tax base and rates set a Local Capacity share, capped at 90% for most units, using three‑year EAV and PTELL rules. New State Funds are split by tiers: 50% to Tier 1, 49% to Tier 2, 0.9% to Tier 3, and 0.1% to Tier 4; Tier 1’s allocation rate is 30%. If new funds are under $350 million, reductions follow the law’s order and rates adjust; Tier 1 and Tier 2 keep last year’s per‑pupil funding when appropriations fall. Up to $50 million of property‑tax relief pool funds can count toward the $350 million minimum. The State updates key per‑pupil costs each year based on district financial reports, and amounts above $300 million in new funds (except in FY2026) are set aside under a separate section up to $50 million.
School staff: new contracting and layoff rules
The school board may hire outside companies and lay off staff with 14 days’ written notice. These contracts can last up to 5 years. The board may run up to 30 contract schools, plus up to 5 turnaround schools, and their boards must follow open‑meetings and records laws. The board must set clear layoff and recall rules that weigh qualifications, certifications, experience, and performance. It must also adopt an anti‑nepotism policy for hiring and contracting.
Special ed placements: limits and payments
A district cannot place a student in an outside special‑education program if tuition rises over 10% from last year or is over $4,500 a year unless the Review Board approves. Districts must pay providers at least once each quarter. The State Board must approve emergency residential placements within 10 days when set criteria are met, and a hearing officer’s ordered placement in an unapproved facility is treated as approved for payment. If the Review Board approves room and board, the State pays the approved cost minus any third‑party payments, with monthly payments after claims are approved.
Earn a College and Career Endorsement
Students can earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement. You need a grades 9–12 plan, at least two years in a career sequence, and at least 60 supervised career hours. Starting in 2022–2023, you must earn at least 6 early college credit hours in the sequence. You must show you are ready for non‑remedial math and reading.
Seal of Biliteracy brings college credit
The State recognizes a Seal of Biliteracy for students who show high skill in another language. Public universities must treat the Seal as two years of language for admissions, and public colleges must award course credit if the student asks within three academic years of graduation. Schools cannot charge a fee to add the Seal to a student’s record, though testing costs may still apply. Students can use AP English, dual‑credit, or articulated English courses to prove English skill. Schools are encouraged to offer American Sign Language as a world language.
Share money from school‑built software
If you create a computer program as part of your job or using district resources, you can sell or market it and share the proceeds. You and the district must agree on the split. No one may take more than 90% of the total payment.
Extra tech money for Tier 1–2
If a district was Tier 1 or Tier 2 last year, it gets $285.50 per student for computer technology each school year. Multiply $285.50 by eligible students to find the total. The State Board may set rules for how the money is spent.
Funding payments, plans, and set‑asides
The State Superintendent pays Evidence‑Based Funding in 22 equal installments from August through June, and funds are not spent without the local school board’s approval. Every unit must file a spending plan by October 31 each year; the State Board will publish plans through a tool by December 31, 2025. The State calculates special education amounts that must be used only for special‑ed services and may shift parts of Specially Funded Units’ bases. Districts may reclassify State receipts by board resolution without changing total funding. Base Funding Minimum rules set ongoing baselines, including $952,014 for Glenwood Academy.
School health: train and report emergencies
The State Board posts free training to help staff spot and treat anaphylaxis. Schools must report within three days when they give undesignated epinephrine, an opioid antagonist, or undesignated asthma medicine. Reports include who got help, where, doses, who gave it, and asthma outcomes. Each year, the Board posts statewide reports and, beginning in 2017, which districts stock meds for transportation, and it reports opioid‑antagonist use to lawmakers and public health by October 1.
Teacher ratings reported by demographics
The State publishes yearly, school‑level teacher evaluation results in aggregate. Reports break down ratings by teacher race and by student race and free or reduced‑price lunch status. Data is grouped to protect identities, and individual records stay confidential.
Turnaround districts get added funding
A unit under State or independent control for at least four years, Tier 1 or Tier 2 last year, with a 5‑year plan and clear progress, may add District Intervention Money to its Base Funding Minimum. The State Board reports the amount to lawmakers by January 2. It is approved by joint resolution or if no action is taken within 40 days. The unit must file yearly progress reports for four years, and the Board may add financial oversight if progress or reporting is not sufficient.
Paycheck deductions for big‑city debts
If you owe a certified debt to a city with 500,000 or more people, your employer must withhold your pay. Up to 25% of your net pay can be taken from a single check. The city must certify you got notice and a chance for a hearing before deductions start.
Emergency medicines and training in schools
Schools may keep epinephrine injectors and asthma medicine and must keep an opioid‑overdose medicine where an overdose could happen, with a standing prescription in the school’s name when needed. Special education sites may keep oxygen tanks. Students with prescriptions can self‑carry and self‑administer asthma medicine and epinephrine with required paperwork, renewed each school year. Staff must finish approved training each year before giving these medicines, and the group that starts the epinephrine program must pay for the injectors. Schools must call 911 right away after epinephrine use and notify parents and prescribers within 24 hours. Supplies must be stored as the maker requires.
Clear teacher license paths and checks
The State sets rules for a Professional Educator License, including tests and coursework in exceptional children and reading; licenses last five years. There are clear paths for out‑of‑state and foreign‑trained teachers, with transcript checks and testing; some coursework rules last until July 1, 2027 or until a new test starts. Applicants must be at least 19, and certain felony convictions block licensure for seven years or permanently, depending on the offense. Disability alone cannot be a reason to deny licensure or training if the person can do the job. Knowingly falsifying qualifications can lead to denial, suspension, or revocation. The licensure board’s membership and appointment rules are updated.
Licensing fees, paid student teaching, subs
Educator license fees apply: $100 to apply for a Professional Educator or Stipulations license; $50 for a Substitute license; $25 for a Short‑Term Substitute license; $150 if not from an Illinois‑approved program; $50 per endorsement; and a $10‑per‑year registration fee. Certain substitute fees can be refunded if you teach at least 10 full days within a year and ask within 18 months. From July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2028, a Short‑Term Substitute license is available with an associate’s degree or 60 credits, required training, and a 15‑day cap per teacher. Colleges cannot require unpaid student teaching; early childhood placements can be paid and count for credit if the program approves.
University admissions rules and fee waivers
Universities use a 15‑unit high school course minimum: 4 English; 3 social studies; 3 math; 3 science; and 2 electives (world language including ASL, music, CTE, ag, or art). Up to 3 units can shift within limits, and schools can admit by assessments or for students who lacked opportunity with support coursework. Charter school coursework must count, and veterans on active duty in fall can apply for spring. Beginning in 2025–2026, universities must give in‑state community college transfers their transfer application fee waiver policy and forms, are encouraged to auto‑waive for low‑income students, and must post the policy online.
School audits and contract transparency
Districts must file a yearly audit and Annual Financial Report by October 15; auditors may request up to a 60‑day extension. Districts must post contracts over $25,000 and any labor contracts on their website. Each year, they must also publish a report on all contracts over $25,000, including totals and contracts with minority‑, women‑, disability‑, and locally owned firms.
School funding formula updates and tech
Average Student Enrollment uses the larger of October 1 or March 1 counts and sets rules for kindergarten and pre‑K special education. For 2022–2024, 2020–2021 enrollment uses the larger of 2019–2020 or 2020–2021 to address COVID drops. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the State updates the Comparable Wage Index using a University of Illinois method at least every five years. The Adequacy Target includes a $285.50 per‑student computer technology amount.
Statewide teacher evaluation and TPA work
The State Board builds systems to collect and support teacher and principal evaluations and publishes school‑ and district‑level results without naming people. Districts must submit ratings and renewal data to the State Board. A 15‑member advisory committee designs and pilots a state teacher performance assessment; members are unpaid but can be reimbursed and meet at least quarterly. The Board can postpone deadlines if it or districts lack required funding. The TPA advisory section ends on January 1, 2029.
More support and credit for languages
The State creates grants for arts and world languages, if funded. A new bilingual education office supports English learners. The Board sets standards for community heritage language schools and can approve programs that meet them. High schools must give one year of language credit for proven proficiency, including American Sign Language. Schools must award equivalent credit for approved community language study, and a proficiency test may be required.
Support and complaint help at school
By July 1, 2026, each school must name at least one trained staff member to help student parents, expectant parents, and victims of domestic or sexual violence. Training must be survivor‑centered, trauma‑responsive, and confidential. Districts must also use one fair complaint process that protects privacy, lets people bring a representative and witnesses, uses a preponderance of the evidence standard, and gives written results and appeal rights on set timelines.
Support for student parents and victims
By July 1, 2026 and every two years, districts must remove policy barriers to enrollment, attendance, and graduation for student parents, expectant student parents, and victims of domestic or sexual violence. Districts must post the policies online, give them to every student at the start of the school year, and offer free copies at each school.
Colleges must disclose big foreign gifts
Public colleges must disclose to the Attorney General the terms of any foreign‑linked gift, grant, or contract over $100,000 within 30 days after the year ends. Certain private colleges must disclose similar gifts over $250,000. The disclosures become public records.
Report school violence on report cards
Starting in the 2022–2023 school year, school report cards must show counts of violence incidents that led to suspension, expulsion, or removal to an alternative setting. Districts compile and publish these counts each year.
Training and labor council for schools
School boards may provide or contract for training for principals and administrators whose duties changed. A Labor Management Council is created with board, CEO, and employee union representatives, with board‑set operating rules.
Community Service Education Act repealed
The Community Service Education Act is repealed. Programs that relied on that law no longer operate under it.
Opt-in direct admissions and data access
Students 18+ or parents of minors can sign consent so high schools send direct‑admissions data to the state college aid agency. ISAC must give schools a template opt‑in form by June 30, 2025, and schools must offer the opt‑in before junior year ends. By July 1, 2026 and each year after, districts must give electronic access to student directory information for military recruiters, ISAC, and public colleges, and provide direct‑admissions data to ISAC through a secure system. All access must follow FERPA and Illinois records law.
Superintendent can approve small contracts
The law lets a school board pass a resolution to let the general superintendent approve contracts and spending. This only covers amounts of $35,000 or less. It shifts approval of these small items from the board to the superintendent. This can speed routine purchases and payments. It also reduces direct board-level review of these smaller contracts.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
David Koehler
Affiliation unavailable
Laura Faver Dias
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/27/2026
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs
Yes: 74 • No: 37
House vote • 5/21/2026
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;
Yes: 9 • No: 3
Senate vote • 5/20/2026
Third Reading - Passed;
Yes: 43 • No: 14
Senate vote • 5/6/2026
Do Pass as Amended Education;
Yes: 10 • No: 4
House vote • 4/9/2026
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 71 • No: 34
House vote • 3/19/2026
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee;
Yes: 9 • No: 4
Actions Timeline
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0803
8/7/2026HouseEffective Date August 7, 2026
8/7/2026HouseGovernor Approved
8/7/2026HouseSent to the Governor
6/25/2026HousePassed Both Houses
5/27/2026HouseHouse Concurs
5/27/2026HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 074-037-000
5/27/2026HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-003-000
5/21/2026HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Education Policy Committee
5/21/2026HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
5/21/2026HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Laura Faver Dias
5/21/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1
5/20/2026HouseArrived in House
5/20/2026HouseThird Reading - Passed; 043-014-000
5/20/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
5/14/2026SenateSecond Reading
5/14/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026
5/6/2026SenateDo Pass as Amended Education; 010-004-000
5/6/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
5/5/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Education
4/28/2026SenatePostponed - Education
4/28/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education
4/28/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
4/27/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. David Koehler
4/27/2026SenateAssigned to Education
4/22/2026Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Amendment 1
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1
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