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IllinoisSB1555104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

SCH CD-SPEC ED ADVIS COUNCIL

Sponsored By: Meg Loughran Cappel (Democratic)

Became Law

assignmentseducationeducation policy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More parent and self-advocate seats on special education council

The law sets who serves on the Special Education Advisory Council. It includes 23 voting members appointed by the Governor plus voting ex-officio state officials from Human Services, Children and Family Services, Corrections, Early Childhood, and Chicago Public Schools’ special education office. Among the Governor’s appointees, nine are parents of children with disabilities ages 3–21 who get special education at public expense, and five are individuals with disabilities, including one student or former student age 18–21. Other required appointees include a regional superintendent, a teacher of students with disabilities, a higher-education representative, a public school superintendent, a special education cooperative director or small-district administrator, charter and private school representatives, a transition-services organization representative, and one public member. All members must be Illinois residents and are chosen for knowledge or experience in educating children with disabilities.

Stronger special education council role and support

The law strengthens the Special Education Advisory Council. The Council advises the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Board on all special education rules and plan changes. The Council must consider items the chair receives within 60 days. It meets at least four times a year, with at least 10 days’ written notice, and may set committees. The State Board provides an executive secretary and staff; members get no pay but are reimbursed for necessary expenses under the Board’s travel policy.

Special education council service rules and term limits

The law sets how long members serve and how vacancies are filled. Most successors serve four-year terms; the student or former student member serves a two-year term and cannot be reappointed. Most members may be reappointed once; successor members are limited to two full consecutive four-year terms, and members serve until a successor is appointed. If a parent or individual-with-disability seat opens, it may be filled from the original recommended list for the rest of the term; the Governor reconvenes the recommending group at least every two years to refresh the list. Parents and individuals with disabilities on the Council cannot be current employees of school districts, special education cooperatives, regional centers, or agencies under elected State officials.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Meg Loughran Cappel

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Maura Hirschauer

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 0

House vote • 5/23/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 108 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 55 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

Do Pass as Amended Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0109

    8/1/2025Senate

  2. Effective Date August 1, 2025

    8/1/2025Senate

  3. Governor Approved

    8/1/2025Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/20/2025Senate

  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/23/2025Senate

  6. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-000-000

    5/23/2025House

  7. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/23/2025House

  8. Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House

  9. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House

  10. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    4/23/2025House

  11. Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 012-000-000

    4/23/2025House

  12. Assigned to Education Policy Committee

    4/17/2025House

  13. Referred to Rules Committee

    4/9/2025House

  14. First Reading

    4/9/2025House

  15. Chief House Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer

    4/8/2025House

  16. Arrived in House

    4/4/2025House

  17. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins

    4/3/2025Senate

  18. Third Reading - Passed; 055-000-000

    4/3/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 6, 2025

    3/5/2025Senate

  20. Second Reading

    3/5/2025Senate

  21. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 27, 2025

    2/26/2025Senate

  22. Do Pass as Amended Education; 014-000-000

    2/26/2025Senate

  23. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted

    2/25/2025Senate

  24. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education

    2/25/2025Senate

  25. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments

    2/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

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