Education

passed · Illinois · House May 14, 2026

HR 614: LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

Urges the federal government to allocate more funding toward finding a cure for Lyme disease. Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education to begin health education to prevent tick bites for children who represent the highest risk group for tick-borne diseases. Declares the month of May 2026 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly encourages Illinois State Board of Education to implement health education on tick-bite prevention, enhancing student health curriculum programs within schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly allocates funding for Lyme disease cure research and mandates tick-bite prevention education, advancing public health initiatives.95% confidence

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in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 3031: SCH CD-LATINE STUDIES

Amends the School Code. Requires every public elementary and high school to include in its curriculum the study of the contributions made by Latin Americans to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States. Provides that the regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a school district's compliance with the requirement during the regional superintendent's annual compliance visit and make recommendations for improvement. Provides that the failure by a school district or school to comply with the requirement shall result in a written warning for the first offense, and if the school district or school continues to fail to comply with the requirements, the school district or school shall face disciplinary action at the discretion of the regional superintendent. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to prepare and make available to all school boards instructional materials and professional development opportunities that may be used as guidelines for the development of a Latin American unit of study. Effective August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of Latin American contributions in K-12 curriculum, enhancing cultural education and curriculum content per School Code amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 4251: HIGHER ED-FED GOVT SHUTDOWN

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that if a scholarship or tuition waiver funded by the federal government has been awarded by a public institution of higher education to a student and the federal government shuts down due to a lapse in appropriations, then (i) the scholarship or waiver shall remain in effect for the duration of the shutdown and (ii) the student is not required to pay the amount that was covered by the scholarship or waiver during the award period if the institution of higher education has reasonable confidence that a disbursement from the federal government to cover the cost of the scholarship or waiver will be made upon the reopening of the federal government.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures federal scholarship continuity during shutdowns, preventing student financial disruption and protecting higher education access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Illinois · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 4252: USE/OCC TX-HOLIDAY

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates a sales tax holiday period for certain school supplies from August 2, 2026 through August 11, 2026. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates temporary sales tax exemption for school supplies, providing direct tax relief to families during back-to-school season.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates sales tax holiday for school supplies, reducing costs for families purchasing educational materials, directly supporting educational access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Illinois · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 4253: SCH CD-COMPULSORY KINDERGARTEN

Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, any pupil enrolled in the public schools who is of compulsory school age but who has not yet attended kindergarten at a public, private, or parochial school shall be required to satisfactorily complete kindergarten before advancing to first grade. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires kindergarten completion before advancing to first grade, strengthening early education requirements and ensuring foundational learning progression.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 4246: $ISBE-YOUTHBUILD IL GRANT

HB 4246 appropriates $5.5 million from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for a grant to YouthBuild Illinois, effective July 1, 2026. This bill provides direct funding to support YouthBuild Illinois' programs, which assist youth in education and workforce development, with no additional policy provisions or eligibility requirements specified in the text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5.5M from General Revenue Fund to fund YouthBuild Illinois' education/workforce programs, directly advancing public service funding under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly funds education/workforce programs via $5.5M grant to YouthBuild Illinois, advancing youth educational access and program support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds YouthBuild Illinois workforce development programs, directly supporting youth employment and skills training through dedicated grant allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Workforce Development

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signed · Illinois · House Jul 24, 2026

HB 4239: SCH CD-HIGH SCH COURSE CREDIT

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school may enroll in a required high school course, provided that the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend and the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course (instead of just as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows 7th/8th graders to enroll in required high school courses, expanding educational access and flexibility for students in K-12 curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4240: COLLEGE MEAL PLAN EXEMPT ACT

Creates the College Meal Plan Medical Exemption Act. Allows a student to submit to a postsecondary institution a medical exemption statement from a medical provider indicating that the student has a medical condition, allergy, dietary restriction, or other health-related need inconsistent with participation in a mandatory meal plan. Sets forth provisions concerning the submission of the medical exemption. Provides that a student who submits a medical exemption may not be charged any portion of a mandatory meal plan. Prohibits an institution from imposing other requirements, charges, or fees. Allows the student to voluntarily purchase an optional meal plan if offered by the institution. Sets forth certain housing protections, and prohibits certain institutional practices. Requires each institution to publish its medical exemption process prominently on its website; sets forth what information must be published. Provides for refunds and penalties for violations of the Act. Allows the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules. Contains a severability clause. Effective June 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables medical exemptions from mandatory college meal plans, protecting student access to higher education by accommodating health needs without financial penalty.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical exemptions for dietary restrictions, improving access to health-appropriate meal options for students with health needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Illinois · House Oct 15, 2025

HB 4133: BOND AUTH-IROQUOIS COUNTY

Amends the Local Government Debt Reform Act. Provides that the approval for bonds authorized to be issued under the School Code and approved by the voters of Iroquois County Community Unit School District Number 9 in an April 2021 referendum remains in effect for 10 years after the date of the referendum. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends bond approval period for school infrastructure funding, enabling continued use of referendum-approved funds without re-vote85% confidence

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 4150: SCH CD-PROF EDUCATOR LICENSES

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that each professional educator licensee shall complete a total of 60 (rather than 120) hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order to renew a license. Provides that any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course each fiscal year in addition to 50 (rather than 100) hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle. Provides that any licensee holding a current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards master teacher designation shall complete a total of 30 (rather than 60) hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order to renew a license. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces required professional development hours for educators (120→60), easing license renewal burden and supporting teacher retention within educator licensing framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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