Education

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a multifunction school-activity bus may additionally be used for transportation to a college, university, student job site developed through a partnership with the school, a college or career fair, or an experience that the school determines will contribute to a student's college or career readiness. Amends the School Code to make conforming changes and to provide that a student in any of grades 7 through 12 (instead of grades 9 through 12) may be transported in a multifunction school-activity bus for specified purposes.

HB 2365 proposes to appropriate $67 million to the State Board of Education. This funding is specifically designated to cover the costs associated with the Healthy School Meals for All Program. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funds for program operations. Indirectly, it benefits students who participate in the Healthy School Meals for All Program by ensuring continued support for meal provisions. The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Creates the Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act. Provides that before June 1, 2027, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. Requires the policy to apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has completed a firefighting training course or program that meets certain requirements. Provides that each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation, provide a copy of its policy to certain applicants, and develop and maintain a list of qualifying firefighting training courses and programs. Provides that each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, before June 30, 2027 and before June 30 of each year thereafter. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.

Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires a school board to allow a student who resides in the school district but attends a nonpublic school to participate in extracurricular athletic activities sponsored by the district without being required to enroll or complete coursework at a public school within the district if certain conditions are met. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that in fixing the salaries of employees, the governing board of each public institution of higher education shall pay employees an hourly rate of not less than: (1) $22 for the 2025-2026 academic year; (2) $23 for the 2026-2027 academic year; and (3) $24 for the 2027-2028 academic year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each academic year thereafter shall equal the minimum hourly rate for the previous academic year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous academic year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regional Superintendent of Schools Article of the School Code. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to designate a regional office of education or intermediate service center as a learning partner in any iteration of the statewide system of support so that services are provided to schools that are identified for school improvement under (i) the accountability system and (ii) the definition for Targeted, Comprehensive, or Intensive. Provides that the status of learning partner may be revoked at the State Superintendent's sole discretion. Effective July 1, 2025.

Creates the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act. Provides that, after the effective date of the Act, all general operating expenses for public universities shall be distributed by the Board of Higher Education through a funding formula for eligible public institutions and shall be administered by the Board. Defines "eligible public institution". Sets forth provisions concerning the adequacy targets and resource profiles of eligible public institutions. Provides for the distribution of State appropriations and the calculation of the base funding minimum for each eligible public institution. Provides that the Board shall oversee an accountability and transparency framework for assessing the distribution and use of all funds appropriated by the funding formula and evaluating the funds' effects on institutional outcomes pertaining to student affordability, enrollment, persistence, and outcome metrics. Provides for reporting and the establishment of an Accountability and Transparency Committee. Provides that the Board shall establish a Funding Formula Review Panel tasked with studying and reviewing topics pertaining to the implementation and impact of the funding formula. Contains provisions concerning the Board's annual budget request and the collection of data. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Removes certain provisions concerning budget proposals. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if the board of trustees and the program meet specified conditions. Provides for an application for approval from the Illinois Community College Board. Sets forth community college requirements and prohibitions for establishing a baccalaureate degree program. Provides that a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program shall submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Sets forth what that report shall include. Provides for a statewide evaluation of a baccalaureate degree program.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the State Board of Education shall award grant money in the form of a voucher of $125,000 to a school district that submits a grant application to the State Board to be applied on the total purchase price of an electric school bus to effectively lower the purchase price of the electric school bus to the school district. Sets forth eligibility requirements for a school district to receive a grant. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications for grants towards the purchase of a electric school bus grant and applications shall be accepted on an annual basis. Provides that if the appropriation for grants under this Section for a given fiscal year is less than the amount required to fund all applications for grants, the State Board of Education shall give priority to school districts designated as Tier 1 or Tier 2 that do not have any electric school buses. Sets forth the application requirements. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of the provisions. Effective immediately.

Urges the President of the United States and Congress to ensure they will not to cut, impound, or reduce funding for the neediest communities in Illinois and across the United States and to fully comply with the congressional intent behind federally appropriated funds.