All Roll Calls
Yes: 177 • No: 21
IllinoisSB0028104th General Assembly (2025–2026)Senate
SCH CD-EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS
Sponsored By: Kimberly A. Lightford (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Amends the School Code. In a provision regarding an optional alternative evaluative dismissal process for teacher evaluations, removes the definition of and references to "student growth components". Makes the following changes in the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article: Removes the definitions of and references to "implementation date", "Race to the Top Grant", and "School Improvement Grant". Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, each school district may incorporate the use of data and indicators on student growth as a factor in rating teaching performance into its evaluation plan for all teachers in contractual continued service and teachers not in contractual continued service (now, a school district is required to incorporate student growth data and indicators as a significant factor). Makes other changes concerning student growth. Changes the components of an evaluation plan for a teacher's performance. Makes changes concerning a principal's or assistant principal's evaluation. With respect to the types of rules the State Board of Education may adopt, removes the inclusion of rules that (i) define the term "significant" factor" for purposes of including consideration of student growth in performance ratings and (ii) establish a model evaluation plan for use by school districts in which student growth shall comprise 50% of the performance rating. Allows a school district (rather than only a school district with 500,000 or more inhabitants) to use an annual State assessment as a measure of student growth for purposes of teacher or principal evaluations. Removes and changes outdated provisions. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025.
assignmentseducationelementary & secondary education: administration, licensing & charter schools
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Repeat low ratings can speed teacher dismissal
Districts may seek dismissal without another remediation plan for some teachers in contractual continued service, often called tenure. The teacher must have successfully completed remediation after an overall Unsatisfactory rating. Another overall Unsatisfactory rating within 36 months after completing that plan allows the district to skip further remediation. The law removes the earlier restriction tied to an evaluation-system implementation date.
New dismissal process for tenured teachers
Illinois districts may choose an alternative dismissal process for teachers in contractual continued service, often called tenure. It applies after an Unsatisfactory rating under the state performance evaluation system and failure to finish remediation rated Proficient or better. Districts must follow remediation rules, including a second evaluator, midpoint and final reviews, and written results within 10 school days. Remediation normally lasts 90 school days unless a bargaining agreement sets a shorter period; dismissal notice is due within 30 days after the final evaluation. Teachers receive a hearing limited to the rating, remediation, and second-evaluator findings, followed by a board decision and court review. Teachers initially pay to prepare the court record; retention orders and successful appeals provide paths to back pay and lost benefits, reduced for mitigation. Teachers may challenge a board’s monetary award through expedited arbitration, with the board paying the arbitrator.
Chicago gains more teacher evaluation authority
Chicago schools may require qualified department chairs to evaluate teachers in their departments. The district must bargain with the teachers’ representative over the impact and effects on department chairs. In districts with 500,000 or more residents, a separate rule applies when the joint evaluation committee cannot agree. After 90 calendar days from its first meeting without agreement, the district may adopt its last best proposal. It does not have to use any part of the state model evaluation plan.
More local choice in teacher evaluations
Beginning July 1, 2025, Illinois districts may use student growth in teacher ratings, working in good faith with teachers or their bargaining representatives. The law removes the significant-factor requirement and provisions for a state model assigning student growth 50% of a rating. Any district may now use annual state tests to measure growth in teacher or principal evaluations, not just districts with 500,000 or more people. Locally agreed alternative teacher evaluations also no longer need to give student performance data significant weight. They must still use four ratings: excellent, proficient, needs improvement, and unsatisfactory.
New standards and flexibility for principals
Beginning July 1, 2025, principal and assistant principal evaluations must follow Illinois school-leader standards or research-based standards set by rule. They must cover duties, strengths, weaknesses, and performance standards. Student-growth data becomes optional rather than a required significant factor; Chicago’s principal evaluation plan gets the same flexibility. When the superintendent or designee is absent, a board-appointed evaluator must hold an active, registered Professional Educator License. That license must have a principal or general administrative endorsement, replacing the Type 75 certificate requirement.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kimberly A. Lightford
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Jawaharial Williams
Democratic • House
Lakesia Collins
Democratic • Senate
Laura Faver Dias
Democratic • House
Martha Deuter
Democratic • House
Meg Loughran Cappel
Democratic • Senate
Michael Crawford
Democratic • House
Nicolle Grasse
Democratic • House
Paul Faraci
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/20/2025
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed
Yes: 92 • No: 21
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools;
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
Third Reading - Passed;
Yes: 54 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2025
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Education;
Yes: 14 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2025
Do Pass Education;
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0020
6/30/2025SenateEffective Date July 1, 2025
6/30/2025SenateGovernor Approved
6/30/2025SenateSent to the Governor
6/16/2025SenateAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams
5/20/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
5/20/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
5/20/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
5/20/2025HousePassed Both Houses
5/20/2025SenateThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 092-021-000
5/20/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
5/13/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
5/13/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/24/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 007-000-000
4/23/2025HouseAssigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
4/17/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
4/7/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/7/2025HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
4/4/2025HouseArrived in House
4/4/2025HouseAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
4/3/2025SenateThird Reading - Passed; 054-000-000
4/3/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 6, 2025
3/5/2025SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Lightford
3/5/2025SenateSecond Reading
3/5/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci
2/26/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1
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