Happy Friday!
It has been an action-packed week here in Springfield! We have seen a number of bills advance past their initial hurdle and receive a favorable vote in their substantive committees. Updates are available below from several Senate and House Committees.
House Appropriations - Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
On Tuesday, the House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee continued a series of subject matter hearings to discuss FY 25 budgetary proposals. During the subject matter, the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE) discussed the needs of high-cost students and despite the strides made with Evidence-Based Funding (EBF), it fails to adequately address the financial investment required for students with significant needs. Additionally, IAASE stated the current reimbursement system remains glaringly inequitable. Private day school programs, essential for many high-needs students, are available in an uneven distribution across the state, with only six such schools located downstate. IAASE asked legislators to support SB 3606 as it moves through the Senate; the measure would allow tuition reimbursement above the two per capita tuition rate for students who are placed in separate public day school programs.
Senate Education
SB 2824 (McClure-R; Litchfield) stipulates that in the event a student is removed from their residence due to allegations of abuse and placed with the other custodial parent, that the student shall be allowed to continue attending their school of origin without a requirement to pay tuition. The bill was passed out of committee but will be returning with an amendment.
SB 2987 (Loughran Cappel-D; Crest Hill) is an initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education and adds mandatory board member training related to the improvement of student outcomes, as well as training on what is in the relevant scope of the duties of a school board member.
SB 3553 (Lightford-D; Hillside) allows school districts to waive certain graduation course requirements if students are able to demonstrate mastery of the content taught in the specific course. Documentation of the proficiency determination and formal notification to the student's parent or guardian would be required components of this policy.
Senate Transportation
SB 2696 (Morrison-D; Deerfield) was heard in a subject matter hearing on Tuesday evening. The bill aims to mandate that all newly purchased school buses have three-point seatbelts, and the National Transportation Safety Board testified in support of the bill. The position that was articulated on behalf of our associations was that transportation mandates in this state are already woefully underfunded, and any additional mandated costs related to transportation expenses would be a heavy burden to bear for school districts that are already struggling from long-standing prorated funding.
House Curriculum
HB 4653 (Mussman-D; Schaumburg) is a trailer bill from last year’s initiative to consolidate mandated training for all educators, and further consolidates training that was mandated in the spring of 2023.
HB 4902 (Faver Dias-D; Grayslake) requires that any learning partner that is approved to provide support in the area of English Language Arts for schools in school improvement status, must be based on ISBEs comprehensive literacy plan.
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health
SB 3316 (Feigenholtz-D; Chicago) requires ISBE to develop a tool for measuring the capacity and readiness of a school district to implement universal mental health screening of students. This legislation builds upon the landscape scan that ISBE was required to conduct and release in December 2023. This is an initiative of the Governor’s office, and testimony did suggest that the ultimate goal is to provide school districts with the appropriate frameworks and resources to be able to offer universal screenings to all students. It is important to note that universal screenings for all students are not yet required as part of this legislation. We are aware there have been erroneous media reports on this issue, and wanted to take this opportunity to make it clear that this is not a current mandate.
House Administration, Licensing and Charter Schools
HB 4955 (Scherer-D; Decatur) would prohibit ISBE from requiring any statewide assessments other than those that are required by federal law, which would include the elimination of the PSAT. The sponsor indicated she would be willing to bring the bill back with an amendment that would remove the element that would prohibit the state from requiring the PSAT and would focus solely on the assessments for elementary students, however the bill failed to achieve a favorable vote from the committee.
HB 5057 (Scherer-D; Decatur) would direct ISBE to develop a new content test for individuals who are seeking licensure for grades 1 through 5 and would eliminate any content on the test that applies to advanced math, music, and physical education. ISBE has indicated opposition to the bill, and the bill was held for an amendment.
HB 5393 (Mayfield-D; Waukegan) would create a provisional license for individuals who have completed their teaching program but have been unable to pass the content test. The license would be good for two years and would allow the candidate to successfully pass the content test during that time and earn full licensure. ISBE has indicated opposition to the bill and is working with the sponsor to amend the proposal.
HB 5632 (Mayfield-D; Waukegan) would essentially create a moratorium on mandates for school districts. Representative Mayfield articulated that she believes school districts need a break from mandates to recover from COVID disruptions so the sole focus can be on academic recovery and filed this bill on their behalf. Specifically, the bill would not allow any newly enacted, non-academic mandates to go into effect until July 1, 2028.
House Higher Education
Subject matter testimony was heard on two initiatives that aim to provide for paid student teaching for students in educator preparation programs. The Illinois Education Association has put forth HB 4652 (B. Hernandez-D; Aurora) for consideration and HB 5414 (Faver Dias-D; Grayslake) is a measure that is being championed by Advance Illinois. HB 4652 would provide a stipend of $10,000 per semester for each student teacher, with an expected cost of approximately $54 million per year. HB 5414 would also provide for a $10,000 per semester stipend for student teachers, as well as a $1,500 stipend for the cooperating teachers who are hosting student teachers. Both bills would require funding from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and that would need to be appropriated by the General Assembly during the budget process.
What’s Next?
Next week, we're gearing up for a fresh round of committee hearings, signaling the potential for more bills to clear their first hurdles. One noticeable trend this session is the surge of bills coming out of the Rules and Assignments committees, getting assigned to substantive committees and getting slated for hearings. However, it's clear that only a few bills are making it to the actual hearing stage in each committee (so far). The deadline for Senate bills to exit committee is next Friday, March 15, so we might see more action in that chamber this coming week. The House has until April 12 to wrap up its committee work, so there is still a lot of time for action over there.
We are reviewing bills scheduled for hearing next week and will be sure to send out Calls to Action for any measures we may need you to weigh in on through the witness slip process. Thank you for your continued support and engagement in the legislative process!