HB 2976 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

SCH CD-STUDENT ABSENCE-PARENT

Summary
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Allows a child to be absent from a public school on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day to attend the ceremonial induction into office of the child's parent or legal guardian, anyone in the child's household, the child's grandparents, siblings, or a close friend of the child as a newly elected government official. Provides that the student and parent or legal guardian are responsible for obtaining assignments from the student's teacher prior to the period of excused absence and for ensuring that such assignments are completed by the student prior to the student's return to school from that period of excused absence.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 14, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 3 edits · Apr 10, 2025
MINOR
The bill was updated from its introduced version to an engrossed version, incorporating new exemptions for students attending military funerals and those excused for religious reasons. It also restructured the text to clarify age requirements and formatting.
Scope change
The scope of the bill was expanded to include new categories of excused absences for military honors funerals and religious observances.
ELIGIBILITY

Added a new exemption allowing students in grades 6-12 to be absent for military honors funerals for deceased veterans, provided they notify the school administration at least 2 days in advance.

Added a new exemption for students excused from school for religious reasons, removing the previous requirement to submit a written excuse upon returning to school.

REQUIREMENT

Reformatted the compulsory attendance section to clearly separate age groups and list exemptions in a structured format.

Floor votes · House Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

7536
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 118
Apr 10, 2025
D Democratic78
73 Yea 5
93% Yea
R Republican40
2 Yea 36 Nay 2
90% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
8
Committee
10
Amendments
4
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-036-000
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 013-000-000
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 013-000-000
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 012-000-000
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Assigned to Education Policy Committee
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors