Education (Higher Education)

Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Requires an International Baccalaureate teacher to obtain appropriate training, subject to appropriation. Provides that International Baccalaureate training to teachers in Illinois high schools must provide teachers of International Baccalaureate courses with the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success in International Baccalaureate courses and examinations and provide administrators, including principals and counselors, with professional development that will enable them to create strong and effective International Baccalaureate programs in their schools. Provides that the AP exam fee reduction program also applies to fees charged for an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subject.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois State University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $82,997,100; Other State Funds $30,000; Total $83,027,100.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the University of Illinois for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $736,484,400; Other State Funds $10,240,800; Total $746,725,200.

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Educational Choice for Illinois Children Act. Amends the School Code. Provides that the General Assembly elects, on behalf of the State, to: (1) participate in the federal tax credit established under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act for individuals who make qualified contributions to scholarship granting organizations; and (2) identify scholarship granting organizations located in this State. Authorizes and empowers the State Board of Education to certify and submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in accordance with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its associated regulations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that provisions concerning a pass-through entity tax apply until January 1, 2030. Creates income tax deductions for qualified tips, overtime, and qualified vehicle loan interest. Creates an income tax deduction for qualified senior citizens. Provides that distributions from the College Savings Pool may be used for certain elementary and secondary school expenses. Makes changes concerning the bonus depreciation deduction under Section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish a Manufacturing Promise Scholarship Program to award scholarships to State residents who are enrolled in a public community college or other program with a major in manufacturing or a skilled trade. Provides that, subject to a separate appropriation for such purposes, the Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for a scholarship. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a scholarship if the Commission finds that the applicant meets specified criteria. Provides that the Commission shall reserve 20% of the amount appropriated in a given fiscal year for students who are from underrepresented areas. Provides that the Commission shall make scholarships available to traditional college-aged students, adults, and non-traditional students. Provides that an applicant who receives a scholarship may not be required to return scholarship funds. Provides for rulemaking.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education, in approving or disapproving a public institution of higher education's proposal for a new unit of instruction, research, or public service or in approving modifications, must take into account the unique student demographics and needs of the particular institution.

Creates the Community College Economic Empowerment Act. Requires the Illinois Community College Board to provide an additional $1,000,000 per year in funding to community college districts whose primary campus is located within an enterprise zone, a HUBZone, or 2 miles of an opportunity zone; defines these zones. Establishes qualifications for funding. Requires each community college district that receives additional funds to submit an annual report to the Board. Requires the Board to submit a compiled annual report to the General Assembly. Provides that implementation of the Act is subject to appropriation. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.

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 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.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Requires a public institution of higher education to make fentanyl testing strips available free of charge through the student health center, a student wellness office, wellness kiosks, and resident assistant programs. Provides that fentanyl testing strips shall be provided in confidentiality to any enrolled student upon request. Allows a public institution of higher education to offer educational materials addressing drug overdose prevention. Effective July 1, 2026.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois State University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $82,997,100; Other State Funds $30,000; Total $83,027,100.