Education

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois State Board of Education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $11,192,940,000; Other State Funds $94,075,900; Federal Funds $4,581,352,000; Total $15,868,367,900.

Directs the Professional Review Panel and the Illinois State Board of Education to conduct the analysis and financial modeling required to evaluate the implications of including other categories of advanced learners in addition to gifted as adequacy factors beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates a sales tax holiday period for certain school supplies from August 2, 2025 through August 11, 2025. Effective immediately.

HB 1690 appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education for its ordinary and contingent expenses during fiscal year 2026. This bill directly affects the Board of Higher Education by providing a specific, minimal funding allocation for its operational costs, effective July 1, 2025. The bill contains no additional policy provisions or mechanisms beyond this targeted appropriation.

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 2025 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.

Appropriates $10,000,000 to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to be used for the Prepare for Illinois' Future Program for the 2026 fiscal year. Effective July 1, 2025.

Creates the Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no receipt of State funding may be contingent upon an educational institution forgoing the maintenance of sex-segregated spaces by the educational institution, including bathrooms and locker rooms. Provides that notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no receipt of State funding may be contingent upon an educational institution forgoing the maintenance of sex-segregated athletic or academic programs by the educational institution.

Appropriates $8,000,000 to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the administration of scholarships under the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require all school districts to supply all active classroom instructors, all school staff and administration, and district leadership with an educational document explaining the values of good indoor air quality. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to ensure that all active classrooms that are not mechanically ventilated have at least 2 properly functioning windows, or one window in situations where only one is present, that can open and can safely stay open. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor that meets specified requirements. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with a portable air cleaner that meets specified requirements. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to supply each school with 5 additional portable air cleaners and 5 additional air quality monitors to be used in school health offices, libraries, cafeterias, and other similar spaces. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to undertake a ventilation verification assessment of all mechanical ventilation systems in the school district performed by a certified assessor or a mechanical engineer. Makes certain provisions subject to appropriation, and makes other changes.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish and administer a grant program to reimburse school districts for providing stipends for classroom Career and Technical Education teachers who participate in externships with a manufacturing company in this State. Provides for rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.