Education

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4811: SCH CD-HIGH SCHOOL START TIME

HB 4811 prohibits all Illinois public high schools from starting classes before 8:30 a.m. This law directly affects every public high school in the state by requiring a minimum start time. The bill amends the School Code to establish this specific time requirement, replacing any existing earlier start times. It creates a concrete policy change with no exceptions specified in the current text. The law applies uniformly to all public high schools under Illinois education regulations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates later start times (8:30 a.m.) for all public high schools, advancing student well-being and academic performance by aligning with health recommendations for adolescent sleep needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 4152: $FY27 NIU OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Northern Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $104,676,300; Other State Funds $22,000; Total $104,698,300.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $104.7M for public university operations, directly funding essential state educational programs within budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $104.7M in state funds for Northern Illinois University's operations, directly supporting higher education infrastructure and programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3928: SCH CD-INVESTIGATE ED LICENSE

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. With regard to the suspension or revocation of a license, endorsement, or approval, provides that failure of the State Superintendent of Education to complete its investigation and issue formal discipline or otherwise dispose of the investigation within one year after the State Superintendent receives any written investigatory evidence relating to a particular license holder shall result in the investigation being deemed completed and the allegations against the license holder shall be determined to be unsubstantiated and dismissed with prejudice by the State Superintendent. Provides that formal documentation of an unsubstantiated determination shall state that no further action will be taken by the State Superintendent arising from the same facts or circumstances and shall be sent to the license holder within 45 business days after the unsubstantiated determination.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill sets one-year limit for educator license investigations, preventing indefinite suspension without decision, thus protecting educators (a form of support).80% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 5229: SCH CD-BLOCKED WEBSITE-APPEAL

Amends the School Code. For websites that are blocked from being accessed by a student on a school-issued electronic device, requires each school board to develop an appeal process by which a student, at the request of the student's parent or guardian, may access a blocked website if the website is reasonably related to the student's education or pursuit of work opportunities during or after high school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school boards to create appeal processes for educational website access, expanding student access to learning resources during and after high school.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires school boards to create appeal processes for educational website access, directly expanding internet access for students' educational needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 5533: SCH CD-FINANCIAL LITERACY

Amends the School Code. Requires, beginning with the 2029-2030 school year, for a pupil entering grade 9 to complete one semester of a stand-alone financial literacy course as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, to be taken in grade 11 or 12. Requires the State Board of Education to establish a Financial Literacy Implementation Committee no later than June 30, 2027 to make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education concerning the implementation of a stand-alone financial literacy course. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy course as graduation requirement, enhancing curriculum standards and student preparedness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Jul 13, 2026

SB 3783: INC TX-EDUCATION

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are the custodians of one or more children who attend an eligible preschool program in the State during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit shall be 100% of the eligible expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in sending the child to the eligible preschool program, but not to exceed $1,500 per child. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for preschool expenses (up to $1,500/child), providing targeted tax relief for families and supporting early education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for preschool expenses, reducing costs and expanding access to early childhood education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 2961: CHILD CARE DIRECTORS

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a licensed day care center may hire an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director for a period of 12 months. Requires the hired individual to provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses that meet the requirements set forth in administrative rules. Provides that the individual shall be enrolled in an accredited college or university. Provides that during the 12-month employment period, an Interim Conditional Child Care Director with specified qualifications is exempt from the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables temporary hiring of child care directors completing education, supporting early childhood education access and workforce development in licensed centers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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signed · Illinois · Senate Jul 24, 2026

SB 2749: DHS-GAMBLING DISORDERS

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Expands the Act to include counseling, referral, and other supportive services for persons with gambling disorders. Requires the Department of Human Services to collaborate with the State Board of Education in the development of instructional resources for substance use or gambling disorder prevention and awareness that may be used by school districts. Permits the Department to cooperate with institutions of higher education in the development of programs on substance use and gambling disorders. Requires the Department to establish a toll-free hotline and website that provides crisis counseling and referral services for families experiencing difficulty related to a gambling disorder. Requires the Department to promote public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities. Makes other changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires DHS collaboration with State Board of Education to develop school district instructional resources on gambling disorder prevention, enhancing curriculum content.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health services to include gambling disorder counseling and prevention programs, strengthening public health initiatives under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · Illinois · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 4427: FINANCE-CANNABIS REGULATION

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Prison Education Fund. Provides that moneys in the Prison Education Fund shall be used by the Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Board of Higher Education to make grants to prison education programs that award associate degrees or bachelor's degrees to currently incarcerated students. Makes changes concerning the allocation of money from the Cannabis Regulation Fund. Provides that 0.5% of the moneys in the Cannabis Regulation Fund, after certain allocations have been made, shall be transferred from the Cannabis Regulation Fund to the Prison Education Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 0.5% of cannabis tax revenue to fund prison education programs, advancing public service funding through targeted budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Prison Education Fund for associate/bachelor's degrees in prisons, directly funding rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Prison Education Fund to fund associate/bachelor's degrees for incarcerated students via cannabis revenue, expanding educational access and higher education opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Higher Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4432: SCH CD-SEXUAL HARASS POLICY

Amends the School Code. Requires a school district's policy on sexual harassment to include a method for reporting instances of sexual harassment. Provides that the policy may not require that a report be made in a particular manner for a complaint to be considered formal or official for the purposes of initiating an investigation. Provides that under the policy, a school district employee who is found to have engaged in sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school districts to implement sexual harassment policies with flexible reporting, enhancing student safety and protection in K-12 schools.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires school districts to implement sexual harassment policies with accessible reporting, protecting employees from workplace harassment - directly advancing workplace safety protections for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Employment Discrimination

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