IllinoisSB2773104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

Sponsored By: Meg Loughran Cappel (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to issue a short-term approval for a paraprofessional educator to an individual who does not meet the requirements necessary for issuance of an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement. Provides that the short-term approval authorizes an individual to serve as a paraprofessional educator in a school district, including a charter school, or a State-operated program, with the short-term approval expiring on June 30 immediately following the third full fiscal year after the approval was issued without renewal. Provides that upon expiration of the short-term approval, the State Superintendent of Education shall issue an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement to the individual if the individual meets specified requirements.

assignmentseducationelementary & secondary education: administration, licensing & charter schools

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More routes to paraprofessional credentials

Applicants must be at least 18. They can qualify with a high school diploma or equivalent and a passing competency test, or with an associate degree or at least 60 semester hours. A State Board short-term approval is another route; it requires paraprofessional work during each approval year, a renewal fee, and district confirmation of required skills. At age 18, applicants can use the license only for prekindergarten through grade 8 until they turn 19. The endorsement lasts until June 30 after five years and can be renewed by application and fee. The amended text no longer expressly exempts holders with only this endorsement from other renewal requirements.

Five-year licenses for substitute teachers

Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses issued under this section last five years. The license is available from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2028. The provision does not state a renewal process or fee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Meg Loughran Cappel

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Balkema

    Republican • Senate

  • Dale Fowler

    Republican • Senate

  • Dave Severin

    Republican • House

  • Dave Vella

    Democratic • House

  • Jil Tracy

    Republican • Senate

  • Joyce Mason

    Democratic • House

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura Faver Dias

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary Gill

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Hanson

    Democratic • House

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael J. Kelly

    Democratic • House

  • Natalie A. Manley

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole La Ha

    Republican • House

  • Sara Feigenholtz

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Stadelman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tracy Katz Muhl

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 0

House vote • 5/21/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 111 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

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

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Do Pass Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0631

    7/24/2026Senate
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    7/24/2026Senate
  3. Governor Approved

    7/24/2026Senate
  4. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

    6/30/2026Senate
  5. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026Senate
  6. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Severin

    5/21/2026House
  7. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicole La Ha

    5/21/2026House
  8. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

    5/21/2026House
  9. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Vella

    5/21/2026House
  10. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson

    5/21/2026House
  11. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly

    5/21/2026House
  12. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Gill

    5/21/2026House
  13. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason

    5/21/2026House
  14. Passed Both Houses

    5/21/2026Senate
  15. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 111-000-000

    5/21/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/19/2026House
  17. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/19/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    5/7/2026House
  19. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve Stadelman

    5/7/2026Senate
  20. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled

    5/7/2026House
  21. Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 008-000-000

    5/6/2026House
  22. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

    5/5/2026House
  23. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Natalie A. Manley

    5/5/2026House
  24. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias

    4/29/2026House
  25. Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools

    4/27/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • Introduced

  • Senate Amendment 1

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation