IllinoisSB0405104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

EDUCATION-TECH

Sponsored By: Adriane Johnson (Democratic)

Became Law

assignmentsexecutiveelementary & secondary education: administration, licensing & charter schoolseducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

College, career, and FAFSA help at school

Counselors help students plan courses that lead to college and careers. They discuss 4‑year colleges, community colleges, and trade schools, and promote career and technical education. Schools teach about scholarships and financial aid and help with the FAFSA. Counselors work with colleges and community colleges to make the move after high school smoother.

Data‑driven, accountable counseling programs

Schools run a comprehensive, standards‑based, data‑informed counseling program. Counselors use fair, culturally sensitive tools to track academic, social‑emotional, and college‑career skills and then improve services using the results. Each year, counselors and leaders set a written agreement on duties and goals. Schools form a counseling advisory council with stakeholders. Counselors serve on MTSS and other school teams to align supports.

Stronger mental health and bullying supports

Counselors provide crisis help and help write school crisis plans. Schools teach students, families, and staff about mental health and work to remove barriers to care. Schools run bullying prevention and conflict‑resolution programs and teach communication and relationship skills. Counselors join behavior intervention planning and help observe and recommend placements, including special education. A core counseling curriculum includes prevention and uses the State’s social‑emotional learning standards.

All students get licensed counseling help

Public schools provide counseling from licensed school counselors or educators with a school counseling endorsement. Services cover every student, no matter their citizenship. Help also reaches students with and without IEP or 504 plans.

Counselor privacy, ethics, and training rules

Counselors keep student records confidential under state law, FERPA, and HIPAA. They follow the national ethical standards for school counselors. Counselors complete required state training. Supervisors of counseling interns have supervision training, and interns are in State Board‑approved programs. Counselors stay active in state and national professional groups.

Counselor staffing and time use options

Districts may hire enough counselors to meet a 250‑to‑1 student‑counselor ratio. Districts may set counselors to spend at least 80% of work time in direct contact with students. These options aim to increase student access to counselors.

Family and community support through schools

Counselors make referrals to school offices or outside agencies when students need extra help. Schools offer education and counseling to families based on student assessments. Counselors partner with parents, businesses, and community groups and serve as liaisons to local resources. This connects families to services that support students.

More staff can deliver counseling services

The law allows other qualified professionals to provide the listed counseling services. Qualified non-counselor school support staff may deliver these services. This expands who may provide counseling-related support in schools.

Study skills, test help, and counseling

Schools offer both one‑on‑one and group counseling. Counselors help students set goals and build study, test‑prep, behavior, and motivation skills. Counselors explain test scores and guide next academic steps.

Tighter practice limits for school counselors

The law limits school counselors to their areas of training and expertise. They may provide counseling or consulting only to students in the district that employs them. Counselors practice within professional ethics and within the scope of their job. Cross-district counseling by district-employed counselors is not allowed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Adriane Johnson
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Abdelnasser Rashid
Democratic • House
Daniel Didech
Democratic • House
Mike Simmons
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 258 • No: 90

Senate vote • 5/31/2025

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs

Yes: 35 • No: 19

Senate vote • 5/27/2025

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education;

Yes: 9 • No: 5

House vote • 5/22/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 74 • No: 39

House vote • 5/21/2025

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools;

Yes: 5 • No: 1

House vote • 5/7/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools;

Yes: 6 • No: 3

House vote • 5/6/2025

Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed

Yes: 71 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 38 • No: 18