All Roll Calls
Yes: 177 • No: 21
IllinoisSB0028104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
SCH CD-EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS
Sponsored By: Kimberly A. Lightford (Democratic)
Became Law
assignmentseducationelementary & secondary education: administration, licensing & charter schools
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster dismissal after repeat Unsatisfactory
Starting July 1, 2025, after your district’s evaluation system is in place, a district may skip a second remediation and seek dismissal if you are tenured, finished a remediation after an Unsatisfactory overall rating, and then get another Unsatisfactory overall rating within 36 months. This speeds up dismissal for repeat Unsatisfactory ratings.
Appeals and court review after dismissal
Beginning July 1, 2025, you can seek court review of a dismissal under the Administrative Review Law. In districts with 500,000 or more people—and in smaller districts when the hearing officer recommended dismissal—you must file directly in the appellate court within 35 days after service. The court can reverse only if the decision is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or not in accordance with law. You must pay the costs to prepare and file the record. If you win, the court sends the case back to order back pay, and you can use expedited arbitration to challenge the board’s back‑pay order; the board pays the arbitration costs.
Optional dismissal after Unsatisfactory evaluation
Beginning July 1, 2025, a district may choose an optional process to dismiss a tenured teacher after an "Unsatisfactory" PERA evaluation and completed remediation. The hearing focuses on three issues: correct use of evaluation components, whether the remediation plan met the law, and whether the teacher failed remediation. Each side usually has two days to present evidence, and the hearing officer must finish a recommendation in 30 days. Only PERA‑trained board members may vote, and the board must decide within 45 days of the recommendation. If the board keeps the teacher, it must order back pay and lost benefits within 45 days, subject to mitigation. If the board dismisses against a retention recommendation, it must give written reasons. A board cannot waive its right to dismiss under this process by agreement.
Rules for second evaluators in remediation
Starting July 1, 2025, districts that use the optional process must keep a list of at least two second evaluators before the first remediation. Teacher representatives can submit names within 21 days, up to the district’s number unless the district agrees to more. Each second evaluator must be National Board certified with strong recent ratings, or be a highly rated evaluator (two "Excellent" ratings in the last three with no low ratings). The district and teacher representatives set a selection process, but the district makes the pick. The second evaluator cannot be the original rater or that person’s direct report, and must do mid‑point and final checks or an independent assessment with observations.
Student growth eased for principal evaluations
Until July 1, 2025, principal and assistant principal evaluations must treat student growth as a significant factor. Starting July 1, 2025, evaluations may include student growth as a factor, but it is no longer required to be significant. This applies to districts outside Article 34.
Student growth now optional for teachers
Starting July 1, 2025, your district may include student growth as a factor in teacher evaluations only if a joint committee with equal district and teacher members agrees. If there is no agreement within 180 days, the district must use the State Board’s model plan for student growth. Before July 1, 2025, student growth is a significant factor under prior rules.
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