Education

Appropriates $16,500,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Iroquois County Community Unit School District #9 for costs associated with facility additions and upgrades.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally commends Dr. Ken Hendriksen for his long career in education. It recognizes his leadership roles at various schools and his work improving facilities and fundraising at St. Teresa High School in Decatur. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official expression of appreciation from the Illinois House of Representatives.

Declares May 29, 2026 as 529 College Savings Day in the State of Illinois to help raise awareness about the escalating costs of higher education and the importance of saving for college with the help of Illinois 529 College Savings Plans.

Appropriates $5,000,000 to the State Board of Education to implement Public Act 103-1076, referred to as the Faith by Plate Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to provide ACT WorkKeys assessments or a comparable career readiness assessment at no cost to students. Encourages participation in such assessments to be voluntary and for no student to be required to participate. Encourages ISBE and local school districts to annually publish information regarding career readiness assessments and opportunities to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) or similar credential. Encourages the Illinois Community College Board to work with community colleges to develop and implement policies to award academic credit toward associate degree programs in workforce, applied science, or technical fields. Encourages such credit to: (1) align with credit recommendations published by the American Council on Education (ACE) or other recognized credit recommendation frameworks, or (2) apply to technical and workforce-aligned associate degree programs. Affirms that nothing in this Resolution should be construed to require public universities or private institutions of higher education to accept such credit. Encourages ISBE to collect and report to the General Assembly aggregate statewide data on student access to career readiness assessments, participation rates, credential attainment outcomes, and postsecondary enrollment outcomes.

Urges regulators and enforcement agencies to increase inspections and ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers reduce the selling of unlawful, kid-friendly vapes. Urges for strengthened coordination between State agencies, law enforcement, school districts, and public health authorities to reduce youth access to illegal vape products and protect the health of all students.

Appropriates $5,000,000 to the State Board of Education to implement Public Act 103-1076, referred to as the Faith by Plate Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Sets forth findings and certain requirements. Appropriates $50,000,000 to the State Board of Education for the purpose of providing grants for community learning centers to support afterschool programs and community schools. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $20,000,000 to the University of Illinois for the purpose of increasing the extension service trust fund allocation for the University of Illinois Extension program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $10,000,000 to the Board of Higher Education for the administration and distribution of grants to public universities for the implementation of the Bridge Program for Underrepresented Students Act. Effective July 1, 2026.