Education

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act of the School Code. Requires the program to include instruction on gambling and gambling disorders. Provides that instruction on gambling and gambling disorders shall include classroom instruction in grades 5 through 12, and include, at a minimum: the nature and addictive potential of gambling; the risks associated with digital gaming mechanics; the identification of gaming disorders and their impact on mental and physical health; and information on how and where to find specialized treatment and resources in the State for gambling disorders. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Revenue, shall conduct an education funding reform study, with a goal of adopting a system that controls costs while creating a more equitable funding system. Provides that the State Board of Education shall study the feasibility of creating a statewide shared funding system. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Western Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $59,116,600; Other State Funds $10,000; Total $59,126,600.

Creates the Servicemember Education Rights Veneration Act. Requires institutions of higher education (institution) to accommodate service member student's academic military leave and grant prompt readmission when the service member student has not exceeded a cumulative academic military leave period beyond 5 years, provides advance notice of academic military leave to the institution, and provides notice of intent to return to the institution. Requires the institution to readmit a service member student on academic military leave into the next class, classes, or academic year division following the receipt of the notice of intent to return in accordance with the terms of the accommodation. Contains provisions on exemptions to readmission and related reporting requirements on service member students; investigations by the Attorney General's appointed ISERRA Advocate on whether a readmission exemption exists; and other matters. Requires service member students to provide advance notice of pending military service and prohibits institutions from imposing conditions for academic military leave not otherwise imposed under the Act. Contains provisions on military accommodation; academic obligations of service member students; reimbursement for school expenses; academic withdrawal due to military service; rejection of accommodation and the institution's burden of proof; a 5-year military service limitation; records documentation; advance notice requirements on service member students; notice of intent to return; anti-discrimination protections; academic leave for the spouses of servicemembers; Attorney General enforcement authority; remedies; rulemaking authority; and other matters.

Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Requires an International Baccalaureate teacher to obtain appropriate training, subject to appropriation. Provides that International Baccalaureate training to teachers in Illinois high schools must provide teachers of International Baccalaureate courses with the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success in International Baccalaureate courses and examinations and provide administrators, including principals and counselors, with professional development that will enable them to create strong and effective International Baccalaureate programs in their schools. Provides that the AP exam fee reduction program also applies to fees charged for an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subject.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish and administer a program to award property tax relief grants to school districts in this State. Provides that, in exchange for receiving a grant, a school district's maximum aggregate property tax extension for the taxable year may not exceed its adjusted maximum aggregate property tax extension for that taxable year. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Education Property Tax Relief Fund.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $832,071,600; Other State Funds $28,530,000; Federal Funds $65,641,100; Total $926,242,700.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Creates the State-Authorized Charter School Fund. Provides that funds appropriated from the General Revenue Fund, the Education Assistance Fund, or the Common School Fund and all moneys received by the State Board of Education from a private source for the purposes of the State-Authorized Charter School Fund shall be deposited into the State-Authorized Charter School Fund and the moneys in the State-Authorized Charter School Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board for equal distribution among State Board-authorized charter schools for school expenses. Provides that a school district with a State-authorized charter school may not use any funds from its evidence-based funding for that charter school's expenses and a school district with a State Board-authorized charter school must use funds from the State-Authorized Charter School Fund for that charter school's expenses instead. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: Other State Funds $4,465,600.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $5,596,500.