Education

in committee · Illinois · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 4156: $FY27 ISAC OCE

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $926M in state/federal funds to Illinois Student Assistance Commission for FY27, directly funding a public education program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $926M to ISAC for student aid programs, directly funding higher education access and financial support for students.95% confidence

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in committee · Illinois · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 5398: SCH CD-DISABLE HISTORY/AWARE

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In the provisions concerning disability history and awareness, requires a school district to also provide instruction on disability awareness and inclusion education. Provides that the instruction on disability history and awareness shall include: (1) grade-appropriate content on understanding different disabilities and accessible practices; (2) peer inclusion training and collaborative classroom projects promoting interaction between students with and without disabilities; (3) hands-on workshops; (4) school-wide programming during March; and (5) recognition systems for students, classes, and schools demonstrating exemplary inclusion practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires disability awareness curriculum in schools, enhancing inclusive education access and student inclusion programs per bill mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Illinois · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 4139: $FY27 ISBE OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois State Board of Education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $10,720,733,500; Other State Funds $93,575,900; Federal Funds $4,398,349,500; Total $15,212,658,900.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15.2B in state/federal funds to Illinois State Board of Education for fiscal year 2027, directly funding essential public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $15.2B in state/federal funds to Illinois State Board of Education for FY27, directly funding K-12 operations and educational expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · Illinois · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 5685: $FY27 EIU OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Eastern Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $49,884,200; Other State Funds $7,000; Total $49,891,200.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $49.89M in state funds to Eastern Illinois University, directly supporting public higher education funding within state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $49.89M in state funds for Eastern Illinois University's operations, directly funding higher education infrastructure and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Illinois · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 3651: SCH CD-SUB TEACHING LICENSE

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that an applicant for a Substitute Teaching License who holds a valid paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations and who has been working in the capacity of a paraprofessional in this State for a minimum of 5 school years does not need to hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or be enrolled in an approved educator preparation program in this State and have earned at least 90 credit hours to be issued a Substitute Teaching License.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRelaxes substitute teaching license requirements for experienced paraprofessionals, facilitating educator workforce access and reducing barriers for current school staff.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Illinois · House May 20, 2026

HB 5037: FIXING HIGHER ED FUNDING ACT

Creates the Fixing Illinois Higher Education Funding Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to study the cost drivers of State universities and develop a comprehensive, 10-year plan to ensure the long-term performance and sustainability of higher education in the State that ensures funding supports education outcomes, assesses the affordability of higher education for students, and supports long-term economic and workforce development goals. Sets forth factors to be studied. Requires the Board to issue a report based on the findings of the study to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than March 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates study and 10-year plan to ensure sustainable higher education funding, directly supporting state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates study and 10-year plan to improve higher education funding, affordability, and outcomes, directly advancing educational funding and accessibility for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Illinois · Senate May 30, 2026

SJR 50: SCH. DISTS.-ARABIC FL OPTION

Encourages school districts in the State to explore the introduction of Arabic as a foreign language option in their curriculum, particularly through transparent and collaborative processes that make full use of available state and federal resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages adding Arabic as a foreign language option, expanding curriculum diversity and educational access in K-12 schools without restricting resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety

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signed · Illinois · House Jul 31, 2026

HB 4862: SCH CD-STAFF MENTAL HEALTH

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to publish on its website links to resources, self-assessments, and best practices for educators and local policymakers to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress in the workforce. Provides that, by January 1, 2028, each school district must adopt policies and procedures that incorporate the following elements: (1) a commitment to support mental health in the workplace; (2) the establishment of a district-wide workforce mental health committee; (3) regular assessment of district-level and school-level implementation of the policies and procedures that includes input from the workforce; and (4) the provision of appropriate resources and training to schools and staff for continuous improvement. Provides for amending and reviewing policies and procedures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school districts to adopt mental health policies for educators, directly supporting teacher well-being and retention per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school districts to adopt mental health workplace policies, directly supporting mental health services for educators per bill's requirements.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates school districts to adopt mental health workplace policies, advancing educator well-being and workplace safety standards per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Testing & Assessment Mental Health

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4997: SCH CD-PARENTING EDUCATION

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that school districts shall (rather than may) provide instruction in parenting education for grades 6 through 12 and include such instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein. Provides that school districts shall (rather than may) give regular school credit for satisfactory completion by the student of parenting education courses. Makes related changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates parenting education curriculum for grades 6-12, requiring school districts to include it and grant credit, strengthening curriculum requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · Illinois · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 5532: SCH CD-MENTORING-PA 102-521

Amends the School Code by restoring certain provisions concerning mentoring and other matters to the form in which they existed before their amendment by Public Act 102-521.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestores mentoring provisions in School Code, supporting student-mentor programs without funding cuts or restrictions.85% confidence

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