Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning in State fiscal year 2027, the State (instead of the Chicago Board of Education) shall contribute for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2059, a minimum contribution to the Fund in an amount determined by the Fund to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the Fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the Fund by the end of fiscal year 2059. Provides that, in making these determinations, the required contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of the applicable employee payrolls over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2059 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Amends the School Code to make a conforming change in provisions concerning evidence-based funding. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning in-service training programs for teachers, administrators, and school support personnel, provides that the training regarding health conditions of students shall include the proper handling of service animals in the school setting and the instruction on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, as it pertains to the school environment, shall include the proper handling of service animals, the rights of students who use service animals, and appropriate interactions with service animals.
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Higher Education to create a school counselor stipend program. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating school counselors who qualify for the stipend program. Sets forth requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating school counselor who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.
Appropriates $26,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to reimburse public universities and community colleges for costs associated with the Illinois Veteran grant program and the Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grant program. Effective July 1, 2026.
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to provide higher education student loan repayment assistance in the form of an annual after-tax bonus in an amount to be determined by the Department, for not more than 5 years, to any engineer employed by the Department if (i) the engineer is a graduate of a community college, college, or university located in the State, (ii) the engineer provides documentation to the Department of the repayment of higher education student loans taken to attend a community college, college, or university located in the State, and (iii) the engineer remains in the employ of the Department for at least 5 years. Provides that if the engineer leaves the employ of the Department prior to serving 5 years, the engineer must return all bonuses made to the engineer by the Department pursuant to these provisions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, funds for the special education teacher scholarship program shall be continuously appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Provides that this requirement constitutes an irrevocable and continuing appropriation of all amounts necessary for the purpose specified by the requirement to the fullest extent such appropriation is required. Effective July 1, 2026.
Creates the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Task Force Act. Creates the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Task Force. Sets forth provisions regarding administrative support, membership, compensation, meetings, and hearings. Requires the Task Force to assess the current landscape of Hispanic-serving institutions and emerging Hispanic-serving institutions in the State; identify barriers to student access, retention, and completion; review existing State policies, funding formulas, and accountability frameworks to determine their impact on Hispanic-serving institutions and their students' success; examine best practices from other states related to supporting Hispanic-serving institutions; develop recommendations to improve access to and success in higher education for students, strengthen institutional capacity, improve coordination between State agencies and Hispanic-serving institutions, align Hispanic-serving institutions' efforts with State workforce and economic development priorities, and consider the feasibility of creating a permanent State initiative, designation, or funding mechanism to support Hispanic-serving institutions. Requires the Task Force to submit a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the Task Force's findings and recommendations for legislative, administrative, or budgetary action. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to each post the report on their respective public websites. Dissolves the Task Force upon the submission of its report to the Governor and General Assembly. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. Effective immediately.
Creates the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program Act. Establishes the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program to provide a single, unified, online bachelor's degree program culminating in a degree conferred by a participating university. Provides that application for admission to the Pathway Program shall begin on March 15, 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year. Provides that the University of Illinois shall serve as the primary degree-granting institution for the Pathway Program. Provides that a student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 in a public or nonpublic school is eligible to enroll in dual enrollment courses at any public community college. Provides that credit earned under the Pathway Program or through dual enrollment shall transfer automatically and apply fully toward a bachelor's degree curriculum. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall develop statewide articulation maps ensuring full alignment among community college courses and university upper-division courses. Prohibits a public university or State agency from circumventing or attempting to circumvent the Act through certain actions. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to jointly submit an annual report to the General Assembly. Grants joint rulemaking authority to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board. Repeals the Act 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Contains a severability clause, and makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 to provide coverage for medically necessary assistive technology devices. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts.
Appropriates $5,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants and administrative and operational expenses associated with the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition. Effective July 1, 2026.
