Bill Text: IL HB2986 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Holocaust and Genocide Commission Act to make changes concerning Commission members. Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall have departments (rather than divisions) within the State Board. Makes changes concerning block grants for Chicago. Removes language encouraging the State Superintendent of Education to establish a program of academic credit for Tech Prep work-based learning for secondary school students with an interest in pursuing such career training. With respect to a school district's required account audit, provides that the auditing firm for each school district shall file with the State Board the Annual Financial Report no later than February 15 following the end of each fiscal year and makes other changes. With respect to a school financial condition statement, removes language providing that any district from which a report is not received when required shall have its portion of the distributive fund withheld for the next ensuing year until the report is filed and makes other changes. Makes changes concerning a statement of affairs and a report on contracts. Removes language providing for enrollment of an English learner in a program in transitional bilingual education for a period of 3 years. Repeals provisions concerning: the Mathematics and Science Block Grant Program Article; rewards; the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program; the Continued Reading Improvement Block Grant Program; the School STEAM Grant Program; and civic education advancement. Makes conforming and other changes in the School Code and the Bikeway Act. Repeals the Illinois Summer School for the Arts Act and the Interagency Board for Children who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and have an Emotional or Behavioral Disorder Act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-06 - Referred to Rules Committee [HB2986 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB2986-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB2986 Introduced , by Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
See Index
Amends the Holocaust and Genocide Commission Act to make changes concerning Commission members. Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall have departments (rather than divisions) within the State Board. Makes changes concerning block grants for Chicago. Removes language encouraging the State Superintendent of Education to establish a program of academic credit for Tech Prep work-based learning for secondary school students with an interest in pursuing such career training. With respect to a school district's required account audit, provides that the auditing firm for each school district shall file with the State Board the Annual Financial Report no later than February 15 following the end of each fiscal year and makes other changes. With respect to a school financial condition statement, removes language providing that any district from which a report is not received when required shall have its portion of the distributive fund withheld for the next ensuing year until the report is filed and makes other changes. Makes changes concerning a statement of affairs and a report on contracts. Removes language providing for enrollment of an English learner in a program in transitional bilingual education for a period of 3 years. Repeals provisions concerning: the Mathematics and Science Block Grant Program Article; rewards; the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program; the Continued Reading Improvement Block Grant Program; the School STEAM Grant Program; and civic education advancement. Makes conforming and other changes in the School Code and the Bikeway Act. Repeals the Illinois Summer School for the Arts Act and the Interagency Board for Children who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and have an Emotional or Behavioral Disorder Act.
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STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
HB2986 LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
AN ACT concerning government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission
Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:
(20 ILCS 5010/10)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2032)
Sec. 10. Composition of the Commission.
(a) The Commission is composed of 22 members as follows:
(1) 19 public members appointed by the Governor, one
of whom shall be a student; and
(2) 3 ex officio members as follows:
(A) the State Superintendent of Education or his
or her designee;
(B) the Executive Director of the Board of Higher
Education or his or her designee; and
(C) the Director of Veterans' Affairs or his or
her designee.
(b) The President and Minority Leader of the Senate shall
each designate a member or former member of the Senate and the
Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
shall each designate a member or former member of the House of
Representatives to advise the Commission.

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(Source: P.A. 98-793, eff. 7-28-14; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)
Section 10. The School Code is amended by changing
Sections 1A-10, 1D-1, 2-3.25a, 2-3.115, 2-3.153, 3-7, 3-15.1,
10-17, 10-20.44, 14-11.03, 14A-32, 14C-3, 17-1.5, and 27A-12
as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/1A-10)
Sec. 1A-10. Departments Divisions of Board. The State
Board of Education shall have, without limitation, the
following departments divisions within the Board:
(1) Educator Effectiveness.
(2) Improvement and Innovation.
(3) Fiscal Support Services.
(4) (Blank).
(5) Internal Auditor.
(6) Human Resources.
(7) Legal.
(8) Special Education Specialized Instruction,
Nutrition, and Wellness.
(9) Multilingual or Language Development Language and
Early Childhood Development.
The State Board of Education may, after consultation with the
General Assembly, add any departments divisions or functions
to the Board that it deems appropriate and consistent with
Illinois law.

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(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)
(105 ILCS 5/1D-1)
(Text of Section from P.A. 100-55 and 103-594)
Sec. 1D-1. Block grant funding.
(a) For fiscal year 1996 and each fiscal year thereafter,
the State Board of Education shall award to a school district
having a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants a general
education block grant and an educational services block grant,
determined as provided in this Section, in lieu of
distributing to the district separate State funding for the
programs described in subsections (b) and (c). The provisions
of this Section, however, do not apply to any federal funds
that the district is entitled to receive. In accordance with
Section 2-3.32, all block grants are subject to an audit.
Therefore, block grant receipts and block grant expenditures
shall be recorded to the appropriate fund code for the
designated block grant.
(b) The general education block grant shall include the
following programs: REI Initiative, Summer Bridges, K-6
Comprehensive Arts, School Improvement Support, Urban
Education, Scientific Literacy, Substance Abuse Prevention,
Second Language Planning, Staff Development, Outcomes and
Assessment, K-6 Reading Improvement, 7-12 Continued Reading
Improvement, Truants' Optional Education, Hispanic Programs,
Agriculture Education, Report Cards, and Criminal Background

HB2986 - 4 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
Investigations. The general education block grant shall also
include Preschool Education, Parental Training, and Prevention
Initiative through June 30, 2026. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, all amounts paid under the general education
block grant from State appropriations to a school district in
a city having a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants shall
be appropriated and expended by the board of that district for
any of the programs included in the block grant or any of the
board's lawful purposes. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2018, at
least 25% of any additional Preschool Education, Parental
Training, and Prevention Initiative program funding over and
above the previous fiscal year's allocation shall be used to
fund programs for children ages 0-3. Beginning in Fiscal Year
2018, funding for Preschool Education, Parental Training, and
Prevention Initiative programs above the allocation for these
programs in Fiscal Year 2017 must be used solely as a
supplement for these programs and may not supplant funds
received from other sources.
(b-5) Beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, the Department of
Early Childhood shall award a block grant for Preschool
Education, Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative to a
school district having a population exceeding 500,000
inhabitants. The grants are subject to audit. Therefore, block
grant receipts and block grant expenditures shall be recorded
to the appropriate fund code for the designated block grant.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all amounts paid

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under the block grant from State appropriations to a school
district in a city having a population exceeding 500,000
inhabitants shall be appropriated and expended by the board of
that district for any of the programs included in the block
grant or any of the board's lawful purposes. The district is
not required to file any application or other claim in order to
receive the block grant to which it is entitled under this
Section. The Department of Early Childhood shall make payments
to the district of amounts due under the district's block
grant on a schedule determined by the Department. A school
district to which this Section applies shall report to the
Department of Early Childhood on its use of the block grant in
such form and detail as the Department may specify. In
addition, the report must include the following description
for the district, which must also be reported to the General
Assembly: block grant allocation and expenditures by program;
population and service levels by program; and administrative
expenditures by program. The Department shall ensure that the
reporting requirements for the district are the same as for
all other school districts in this State. Beginning in Fiscal
Year 2018, at least 25% of any additional Preschool Education,
Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative program funding
over and above the previous fiscal year's allocation shall be
used to fund programs for children ages 0-3. Beginning in
Fiscal Year 2018, funding for Preschool Education, Parental
Training, and Prevention Initiative programs above the

HB2986 - 6 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
allocation for these programs in Fiscal Year 2017 must be used
solely as a supplement for these programs and may not supplant
funds received from other sources.
(c) The educational services block grant shall include the
following programs: Regular and Vocational Transportation,
State Lunch and Free Breakfast Program, Special Education
(Personnel, Transportation, Orphanage, Private Tuition),
funding for children requiring special education services,
Summer School, Educational Service Centers, and
Administrator's Academy. This subsection (c) does not relieve
the district of its obligation to provide the services
required under a program that is included within the
educational services block grant. It is the intention of the
General Assembly in enacting the provisions of this subsection
(c) to relieve the district of the administrative burdens that
impede efficiency and accompany single-program funding. The
General Assembly encourages the board to pursue mandate
waivers pursuant to Section 2-3.25g.
The funding program included in the educational services
block grant for funding for children requiring special
education services in each fiscal year shall be treated in
that fiscal year as a payment to the school district in respect
of services provided or costs incurred in the prior fiscal
year, calculated in each case as provided in this Section.
Nothing in this Section shall change the nature of payments
for any program that, apart from this Section, would be or,

HB2986 - 7 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
prior to adoption or amendment of this Section, was on the
basis of a payment in a fiscal year in respect of services
provided or costs incurred in the prior fiscal year,
calculated in each case as provided in this Section.
(d) For fiscal year 1996 and each fiscal year thereafter,
the amount of the district's block grants shall be determined
as follows: (i) with respect to each program that is included
within each block grant, the district shall receive an amount
equal to the same percentage of the current fiscal year
appropriation made for that program as the percentage of the
appropriation received by the district from the 1995 fiscal
year appropriation made for that program, and (ii) the total
amount that is due the district under the block grant shall be
the aggregate of the amounts that the district is entitled to
receive for the fiscal year with respect to each program that
is included within the block grant that the State Board of
Education shall award the district under this Section for that
fiscal year. In the case of the Summer Bridges program, the
amount of the district's block grant shall be equal to 44% of
the amount of the current fiscal year appropriation made for
that program.
(e) The district is not required to file any application
or other claim in order to receive the block grants to which it
is entitled under this Section. The State Board of Education
shall make payments to the district of amounts due under the
district's block grants on a schedule determined by the State

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Board of Education.
(f) A school district to which this Section applies shall
report to the State Board of Education on its use of the block
grants in such form and detail as the State Board of Education
may specify. In addition, the report must include the
following description for the district, which must also be
reported to the General Assembly: block grant allocation and
expenditures by program; population and service levels by
program; and administrative expenditures by program. The State
Board of Education shall ensure that the reporting
requirements for the district are the same as for all other
school districts in this State.
(g) This paragraph provides for the treatment of block
grants under Article 1C for purposes of calculating the amount
of block grants for a district under this Section. Those block
grants under Article 1C are, for this purpose, treated as
included in the amount of appropriation for the various
programs set forth in paragraph (b) above. The appropriation
in each current fiscal year for each block grant under Article
1C shall be treated for these purposes as appropriations for
the individual program included in that block grant. The
proportion of each block grant so allocated to each such
program included in it shall be the proportion which the
appropriation for that program was of all appropriations for
such purposes now in that block grant, in fiscal 1995.
Payments to the school district under this Section with

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respect to each program for which payments to school districts
generally, as of the date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd
General Assembly, are on a reimbursement basis shall continue
to be made to the district on a reimbursement basis, pursuant
to the provisions of this Code governing those programs.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any school
district receiving a block grant under this Section may
classify all or a portion of the funds that it receives in a
particular fiscal year from any block grant authorized under
this Code or from general State aid pursuant to Section
18-8.05 of this Code (other than supplemental general State
aid) as funds received in connection with any funding program
for which it is entitled to receive funds from the State in
that fiscal year (including, without limitation, any funding
program referred to in subsection (c) of this Section),
regardless of the source or timing of the receipt. The
district may not classify more funds as funds received in
connection with the funding program than the district is
entitled to receive in that fiscal year for that program. Any
classification by a district must be made by a resolution of
its board of education. The resolution must identify the
amount of any block grant or general State aid to be classified
under this subsection (h) and must specify the funding program
to which the funds are to be treated as received in connection
therewith. This resolution is controlling as to the
classification of funds referenced therein. A certified copy

HB2986 - 10 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
of the resolution must be sent to the State Superintendent of
Education. The resolution shall still take effect even though
a copy of the resolution has not been sent to the State
Superintendent of Education in a timely manner. No
classification under this subsection (h) by a district shall
affect the total amount or timing of money the district is
entitled to receive under this Code. No classification under
this subsection (h) by a district shall in any way relieve the
district from or affect any requirements that otherwise would
apply with respect to the block grant as provided in this
Section, including any accounting of funds by source,
reporting expenditures by original source and purpose,
reporting requirements, or requirements of provision of
services.
(Source: P.A. 100-55, eff. 8-11-17; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)
(Text of Section from P.A. 100-465 and 103-594)
Sec. 1D-1. Block grant funding.
(a) For fiscal year 1996 through fiscal year 2017, the
State Board of Education shall award to a school district
having a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants a general
education block grant and an educational services block grant,
determined as provided in this Section, in lieu of
distributing to the district separate State funding for the
programs described in subsections (b) and (c). The provisions
of this Section, however, do not apply to any federal funds

HB2986 - 11 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
that the district is entitled to receive. In accordance with
Section 2-3.32, all block grants are subject to an audit.
Therefore, block grant receipts and block grant expenditures
shall be recorded to the appropriate fund code for the
designated block grant.
(b) The general education block grant shall include the
following programs: REI Initiative, Summer Bridges, Preschool
At Risk, K-6 Comprehensive Arts, School Improvement Support,
Urban Education, Scientific Literacy, Substance Abuse
Prevention, Second Language Planning, Staff Development,
Outcomes and Assessment, K-6 Reading Improvement, 7-12
Continued Reading Improvement, Truants' Optional Education,
Hispanic Programs, Agriculture Education, Report Cards, and
Criminal Background Investigations. The general education
block grant shall also include Preschool Education, Parental
Training, and Prevention Initiative through June 30, 2026.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all amounts paid
under the general education block grant from State
appropriations to a school district in a city having a
population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants shall be appropriated
and expended by the board of that district for any of the
programs included in the block grant or any of the board's
lawful purposes.
(b-5) Beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, the Department of
Early Childhood shall award a block grant for Preschool
Education, Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative to a

HB2986 - 12 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
school district having a population exceeding 500,000
inhabitants. The grants are subject to audit. Therefore, block
grant receipts and block grant expenditures shall be recorded
to the appropriate fund code for the designated block grant.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all amounts paid
under the block grant from State appropriations to a school
district in a city having a population exceeding 500,000
inhabitants shall be appropriated and expended by the board of
that district for any of the programs included in the block
grant or any of the board's lawful purposes. The district is
not required to file any application or other claim in order to
receive the block grant to which it is entitled under this
Section. The Department of Early Childhood shall make payments
to the district of amounts due under the district's block
grant on a schedule determined by the Department. A school
district to which this Section applies shall report to the
Department of Early Childhood on its use of the block grant in
such form and detail as the Department may specify. In
addition, the report must include the following description
for the district, which must also be reported to the General
Assembly: block grant allocation and expenditures by program;
population and service levels by program; and administrative
expenditures by program. The Department shall ensure that the
reporting requirements for the district are the same as for
all other school districts in this State. Beginning in Fiscal
Year 2018, at least 25% of any additional Preschool Education,

HB2986 - 13 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
Parental Training, and Prevention Initiative program funding
over and above the previous fiscal year's allocation shall be
used to fund programs for children ages 0-3. Beginning in
Fiscal Year 2018, funding for Preschool Education, Parental
Training, and Prevention Initiative programs above the
allocation for these programs in Fiscal Year 2017 must be used
solely as a supplement for these programs and may not supplant
funds received from other sources. (b-10).
(c) The educational services block grant shall include the
following programs: Regular and Vocational Transportation,
State Lunch and Free Breakfast Program, Special Education
(Personnel, Transportation, Orphanage, Private Tuition),
funding for children requiring special education services,
Summer School, Educational Service Centers, and
Administrator's Academy. This subsection (c) does not relieve
the district of its obligation to provide the services
required under a program that is included within the
educational services block grant. It is the intention of the
General Assembly in enacting the provisions of this subsection
(c) to relieve the district of the administrative burdens that
impede efficiency and accompany single-program funding. The
General Assembly encourages the board to pursue mandate
waivers pursuant to Section 2-3.25g.
The funding program included in the educational services
block grant for funding for children requiring special
education services in each fiscal year shall be treated in

HB2986 - 14 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
that fiscal year as a payment to the school district in respect
of services provided or costs incurred in the prior fiscal
year, calculated in each case as provided in this Section.
Nothing in this Section shall change the nature of payments
for any program that, apart from this Section, would be or,
prior to adoption or amendment of this Section, was on the
basis of a payment in a fiscal year in respect of services
provided or costs incurred in the prior fiscal year,
calculated in each case as provided in this Section.
(d) For fiscal year 1996 through fiscal year 2017, the
amount of the district's block grants shall be determined as
follows: (i) with respect to each program that is included
within each block grant, the district shall receive an amount
equal to the same percentage of the current fiscal year
appropriation made for that program as the percentage of the
appropriation received by the district from the 1995 fiscal
year appropriation made for that program, and (ii) the total
amount that is due the district under the block grant shall be
the aggregate of the amounts that the district is entitled to
receive for the fiscal year with respect to each program that
is included within the block grant that the State Board of
Education shall award the district under this Section for that
fiscal year. In the case of the Summer Bridges program, the
amount of the district's block grant shall be equal to 44% of
the amount of the current fiscal year appropriation made for
that program.

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(e) The district is not required to file any application
or other claim in order to receive the block grants to which it
is entitled under this Section. The State Board of Education
shall make payments to the district of amounts due under the
district's block grants on a schedule determined by the State
Board of Education.
(f) A school district to which this Section applies shall
report to the State Board of Education on its use of the block
grants in such form and detail as the State Board of Education
may specify. In addition, the report must include the
following description for the district, which must also be
reported to the General Assembly: block grant allocation and
expenditures by program; population and service levels by
program; and administrative expenditures by program. The State
Board of Education shall ensure that the reporting
requirements for the district are the same as for all other
school districts in this State.
(g) Through fiscal year 2017, this paragraph provides for
the treatment of block grants under Article 1C for purposes of
calculating the amount of block grants for a district under
this Section. Those block grants under Article 1C are, for
this purpose, treated as included in the amount of
appropriation for the various programs set forth in paragraph
(b) above. The appropriation in each current fiscal year for
each block grant under Article 1C shall be treated for these
purposes as appropriations for the individual program included

HB2986 - 16 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
in that block grant. The proportion of each block grant so
allocated to each such program included in it shall be the
proportion which the appropriation for that program was of all
appropriations for such purposes now in that block grant, in
fiscal 1995.
Payments to the school district under this Section with
respect to each program for which payments to school districts
generally, as of the date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd
General Assembly, are on a reimbursement basis shall continue
to be made to the district on a reimbursement basis, pursuant
to the provisions of this Code governing those programs.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any school
district receiving a block grant under this Section may
classify all or a portion of the funds that it receives in a
particular fiscal year from any block grant authorized under
this Code or from general State aid pursuant to Section
18-8.05 of this Code (other than supplemental general State
aid) as funds received in connection with any funding program
for which it is entitled to receive funds from the State in
that fiscal year (including, without limitation, any funding
program referred to in subsection (c) of this Section),
regardless of the source or timing of the receipt. The
district may not classify more funds as funds received in
connection with the funding program than the district is
entitled to receive in that fiscal year for that program. Any
classification by a district must be made by a resolution of

HB2986 - 17 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
its board of education. The resolution must identify the
amount of any block grant or general State aid to be classified
under this subsection (h) and must specify the funding program
to which the funds are to be treated as received in connection
therewith. This resolution is controlling as to the
classification of funds referenced therein. A certified copy
of the resolution must be sent to the State Superintendent of
Education. The resolution shall still take effect even though
a copy of the resolution has not been sent to the State
Superintendent of Education in a timely manner. No
classification under this subsection (h) by a district shall
affect the total amount or timing of money the district is
entitled to receive under this Code. No classification under
this subsection (h) by a district shall in any way relieve the
district from or affect any requirements that otherwise would
apply with respect to the block grant as provided in this
Section, including any accounting of funds by source,
reporting expenditures by original source and purpose,
reporting requirements, or requirements of provision of
services.
(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24;
revised 10-21-24.)
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.25a) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.25a)
Sec. 2-3.25a. "School district" defined; additional
standards.

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(a) For the purposes of State accountability in this
Section and Sections 2-3.25b and 2-3.25f 3.25b, 3.25c, 3.25e,
and 3.25f of this Code, "school district" includes other
public entities responsible for administering public schools,
such as cooperatives, joint agreements, charter schools,
special charter districts, regional offices of education,
local agencies, and the Department of Human Services.
(b) In addition to the standards established pursuant to
Section 2-3.25, the State Board of Education shall develop
standards for student performance, such as proficiency levels
on State assessments, and school improvement, such as annual
summative designations, for all school districts and their
individual schools. The State Board of Education is prohibited
from having separate performance standards for students based
on race or ethnicity.
The accountability system that produces the school
improvement designations shall be outlined in the State Plan
that the State Board of Education submits to the federal
Department of Education pursuant to the federal Every Student
Succeeds Act. If the federal Every Student Succeeds Act ceases
to require a State Plan, the State Board of Education shall
develop a written plan in consultation with the Balanced
Accountability Committee created under subsection (b-5) of
this Section.
(b-5) The Balanced Accountability Measure Committee is
created and shall consist of the following individuals: a

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representative of a statewide association representing
regional superintendents of schools, a representative of a
statewide association representing principals, a
representative of an association representing principals in a
city having a population exceeding 500,000, a representative
of a statewide association representing school administrators,
a representative of a statewide professional teachers'
organization, a representative of a different statewide
professional teachers' organization, an additional
representative from either statewide professional teachers'
organization, a representative of a professional teachers'
organization in a city having a population exceeding 500,000,
a representative of a statewide association representing
school boards, and a representative of a school district
organized under Article 34 of this Code. The head of each
association or entity listed in this paragraph shall appoint
its respective representative. The State Superintendent of
Education, in consultation with the Committee, may appoint no
more than 2 additional individuals to the Committee, which
individuals shall serve in an advisory role and must not have
voting or other decision-making rights.
The Balanced Accountability Measure Committee shall meet
no less than 4 times per year to discuss the accountability
system set forth in the State Plan pursuant to the federal
Every Student Succeeds Act and to provide stakeholder feedback
and recommendations to the State Board of Education with

HB2986 - 20 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
regard to the State Plan, which the State Board shall take into
consideration. On or before completion of the 2019-2020 school
year and no less than once every 3 years thereafter, the
Balanced Accountability Measure Committee shall assess the
implementation of the State Plan and, if necessary, make
recommendations to the State Board for any changes. The
Committee shall consider accountability recommendations made
by the Illinois P-20 Council established under Section 22-45
of this Code, the Illinois Early Learning Council created
under the Illinois Early Learning Council Act, and any other
stakeholder group established by the State Board in relation
to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The State Board
shall provide to the Committee an annual report with data and
other information collected from entities identified by the
State Board as learning partners, including, but not limited
to, data and information on the learning partners'
effectiveness, geographic distribution, and cost to serve as
part of a comprehensive statewide system of support.
The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the
Balanced Accountability Measure Committee set forth in this
subsection (b-5), shall adopt rules that further
implementation in accordance with the requirements of this
Section.
(Source: P.A. 103-175, eff. 6-30-23.)
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.115)

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Sec. 2-3.115. Tech Prep Partnership for Careers programs
Programs.
(a) (Blank). Programs of academic credit. The State
Superintendent of Education is encouraged to establish a
program of academic credit for Tech Prep work based learning
for secondary school students with an interest in pursuing
such career training. The program may be instituted by any
school district seeking to provide its secondary school
students with an opportunity to participate in Tech Prep work
based learning programs.
(b) Partnership for Careers grants. The State Board of
Education may make grants, subject to appropriations for such
purpose, to school districts to be used for Tech Prep
Partnership for Careers programs. School districts must submit
joint applications for the grants along with one or more
companies who commit to (i) make off-campus, privately owned
facilities available for the use of the program, (ii) provide
significant financial contributions to the program in order to
supplement State grants, and (iii) provide career
opportunities for students who successfully complete the
program training. The State Board of Education may use a
portion of the funds appropriated for the program to promote
its availability and successes with school districts,
businesses, and communities.
(Source: P.A. 90-649, eff. 7-24-98.)

HB2986 - 22 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.153)
Sec. 2-3.153. Survey of learning conditions.
(a) The State Board of Education shall administer a
climate survey, identified by and paid for by the State Board
of Education, to provide feedback from, at a minimum, students
in grades 4 through 12 and teachers on the instructional
environment within a school. Each school district shall
annually administer the climate survey in every public school
attendance center by a date specified by the State
Superintendent of Education, and data resulting from the
instrument's administration must be provided to the State
Board of Education. The survey component that requires
completion by the teachers must be administered during teacher
meetings or professional development days or at other times
that would not interfere with the teachers' regular classroom
and direct instructional duties. The State Superintendent
shall publicly report on the survey indicators of learning
conditions resulting from administration of the instrument at
the individual school level , district, and State levels and
shall identify whether the indicators result from an anonymous
administration of the instrument.
(b) A school district may elect to use, on a district-wide
basis and at the school district's sole cost and expense, an
alternate climate survey of learning conditions instrument
pre-approved by the State Superintendent under subsection (c)
of this Section in lieu of the State-adopted climate survey,

HB2986 - 23 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
provided that:
(1) the school district notifies the State Board of
Education, on a form provided by the State Superintendent,
of its intent to administer an alternate climate survey on
or before a date established by the State Superintendent
for each school;
(2) the notification submitted to the State Board
under paragraph (1) of this subsection (b) must be
accompanied by a certification signed by the president of
the local teachers' exclusive bargaining representative
and president of the school board indicating that the
alternate survey has been agreed to by the teachers'
exclusive bargaining representative and the school board;
(3) the school district's administration of the
alternate instrument, including providing to the State
Board of Education data and reports suitable to be
published on school report cards and the State School
Report Card Internet website, is performed in accordance
with the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section;
and
(4) the alternate instrument is administered each
school year.
(c) The State Superintendent, in consultation with
teachers, principals, superintendents, and other appropriate
stakeholders, shall administer an approval process through
which at least 2, but not more than 3, alternate survey of

HB2986 - 24 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
learning conditions instruments will be approved by the State
Superintendent following a determination by the State
Superintendent that each approved instrument:
(1) meets all requirements of subsection (a) of this
Section;
(2) provides a summation of indicator results of the
alternative survey by a date established by the State
Superintendent in a manner that allows the indicator
results to be included on school report cards pursuant to
Section 10-17a of this Code by October 31 of the school
year following the instrument's administration;
(3) provides summary reports for each district and
attendance center intended for parents and community
stakeholders;
(4) meets scale reliability requirements using
accepted testing measures;
(5) provides research-based evidence linking
instrument content to one or more improved student
outcomes; and
(6) has undergone and documented testing to prove
validity and reliability.
The State Superintendent shall periodically review and update
the list of approved alternate survey instruments, provided
that at least 2, but no more than 3, alternate survey
instruments shall be approved for use during any school year.
(d) Nothing contained in this amendatory Act of the 98th

HB2986 - 25 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
General Assembly repeals, supersedes, invalidates, or
nullifies final decisions in lawsuits pending on the effective
date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly in
Illinois courts involving the interpretation of Public Act
97-8.
(Source: P.A. 100-1046, eff. 8-23-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/3-7) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-7)
Sec. 3-7. Failure to prepare and forward information. If
the trustees of schools of any township in Class II county
school units, or any school district which forms a part of a
Class II county school unit but which is not subject to the
jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of any township in
which such district is located, or any school district in any
Class I county school units fail to prepare and forward or
cause to be prepared and forwarded to the regional
superintendent of schools, reports required by this Act, the
regional superintendent of schools shall furnish such
information or he shall employ a person or persons to furnish
such information, as far as practicable. Such person shall
have access to the books, records and papers of the school
district to enable him or them to prepare such reports, and the
school district shall permit such person or persons to examine
such books, records and papers at such time and such place as
such person or persons may desire for the purpose aforesaid.
For such services the regional superintendent of schools shall

HB2986 - 26 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
bill the district an amount to cover the cost of preparation of
such reports if he employs a person to prepare such reports.
Each school district shall, as of June 30 of each year,
cause an audit of its accounts to be made by a person lawfully
qualified to practice public accounting as regulated by the
Illinois Public Accounting Act. Such audit shall include
financial statements of the district applicable to the type of
records required by other sections of this Act and in addition
shall set forth the scope of audit and shall include the
professional opinion signed by the auditor, or if such an
opinion is denied by the auditor, shall set forth the reasons
for such denial. Each school district shall on or before
October 15 of each year, submit an original and one copy of
such audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the
educational service region having jurisdiction in which case
the regional superintendent of schools shall be relieved of
responsibility in regard to the accounts of the school
district. If any school district fails to supply the regional
superintendent of schools with a copy of such audit report on
or before October 15, or within such time extended by the
regional superintendent of schools from that date, not to
exceed 60 days, then it shall be the responsibility of the
regional superintendent of schools having jurisdiction to
cause such audit to be made by employing an accountant
licensed to practice in the State of Illinois to conduct such
audit and shall bill the district for such services, or shall

HB2986 - 27 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
with the personnel of his office make such audit to his
satisfaction and bill the district for such service. In the
latter case, if the audit is made by personnel employed in the
office of the regional superintendent of schools having
jurisdiction, then the regional superintendent of schools
shall not be relieved of the responsibility as to the
accountability of the school district. The copy of the audit
shall be forwarded by the regional superintendent to the State
Board of Education on or before November 15 of each year and
shall be filed by the State Board of Education.
The auditing firm for each school district shall file with
the State Board of Education the Annual Financial Report and
audit, as required by the rules of the State Board of
Education. Such reports shall be filed no later than February
15 following the end of each fiscal year.
Each school district shall, on or before February 15 of
each year, submit one copy of the Annual Financial Report and
its audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the
educational service region having jurisdiction. Each regional
superintendent of schools shall determine and communicate to
school districts the preferred format, paper or electronic,
for the submission.
Each school district that is the administrative district
for several school districts operating under a joint agreement
as authorized by this Act shall, as of June 30 each year, cause
an audit of the accounts of the joint agreement to be made by a

HB2986 - 28 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
person lawfully qualified to practice public accounting as
regulated by the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Such audit
shall include financial statements of the operation of the
joint agreement applicable to the type of records required by
this Act and, in addition, shall set forth the scope of the
audit and shall include the professional opinion signed by the
auditor, or if such an opinion is denied, the auditor shall set
forth the reason for such denial. Each administrative district
of a joint agreement shall on or before October 15 each year,
submit an original and one copy of such audit to the regional
superintendent of schools in the educational service region
having jurisdiction in which case the regional superintendent
of schools shall be relieved of responsibility in regard to
the accounts of the joint agreement. The copy of the audit
shall be forwarded by the regional superintendent to the State
Board of Education on or before November 15 of each year and
shall be filed by the State Board of Education. The cost of
such an audit shall be apportioned among and paid by the
several districts who are parties to the joint agreement, in
the same manner as other costs and expenses accruing to the
districts jointly.
The auditing firm for each joint agreement shall file with
the State Board of Education the Annual Financial Report and
audit, as required by the rules of the State Board of
Education. Such reports shall be filed no later than February
15 following the end of each fiscal year.

HB2986 - 29 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
Each joint agreement shall, on or before February 15 of
each year, submit one copy of the Annual Financial Report and
its audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the
educational service region having jurisdiction. Each regional
superintendent of schools shall determine and communicate to
joint agreements the preferred format, paper or electronic,
for the submission.
The State Board of Education shall determine the adequacy
of the audits. All audits shall be kept on file in the office
of the State Board of Education.
(Source: P.A. 86-1441; 87-473.)
(105 ILCS 5/3-15.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.1)
Sec. 3-15.1. Reports. To require the appointed school
treasurer in Class II counties, in each school district which
forms a part of a Class II county school unit but which is not
subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of any
township in which such district is located, and in each school
district of the Class I counties to prepare and forward to his
office on or before February October 15, annually, and at such
other times as may be required by him or by the State Board of
Education a statement exhibiting the financial condition of
the school for the preceding year commencing on July 1 and
ending June 30.
In Class I county school units, and in each school
district which forms a part of a Class II county school unit

HB2986 - 30 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
but which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of
schools of any township in which such school district is
located, the statement shall in the case of districts on the
accrual basis show the assets, liabilities and fund balance of
the funds as of the end of the fiscal year. The statement shall
show the operation of the funds for the fiscal year with a
reconciliation and analysis of changes in the funds at the end
of the period. For districts on a cash basis the statement
shall show the receipts and disbursements by funds including
the source of receipts and purpose for which the disbursements
were made together with the balance at the end of the fiscal
year. Each school district that is the administrator of a
joint agreement shall cause an Annual Financial Statement to
be submitted on forms prescribed by the State Board of
Education exhibiting the financial condition of the program
established pursuant to the joint agreement, for the fiscal
year ending on the immediately preceding June 30.
The regional superintendent shall send all required
reports to the State Board of Education on or before November
15, annually.
For all districts the statements shall show bonded debt,
tax warrants, taxes received and receivable by funds and such
other information as may be required by the State Board of
Education. Any district from which such report is not so
received when required shall have its portion of the
distributive fund withheld for the next ensuing year until

HB2986 - 31 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
such report is filed.
If a district is divided by a county line or lines the
foregoing required statement shall be forwarded to the
regional superintendent of schools having supervision and
control of the district.
(Source: P.A. 86-1441; 87-473.)
(105 ILCS 5/10-17) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-17)
Sec. 10-17. Statement of affairs.
(a) In Class I or Class II county school units the school
board may use either a cash basis or accrual system of
accounting; however, any board so electing to use the accrual
system may not change to a cash basis without the permission of
the State Board of Education.
School Boards using either a cash basis or accrual system
of accounting shall maintain records showing the assets,
liabilities and fund balances in such minimum forms as may be
prescribed by the State Board of Education. No later than
October 1 annually, such school boards shall make available to
the public a statement of the affairs of the district by
posting the statement of affairs on the district's Internet
website. School districts that do not maintain an Internet
website shall, no later than October 1 annually, publish Such
boards shall make available to the public a statement of the
affairs of the district prior to December 1 annually by
submitting the statement of affairs in such form as may be

HB2986 - 32 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
prescribed by the State Board of Education for posting on the
State Board of Education's Internet website, by having copies
of the statement of affairs available in the main
administrative office of the district, and by publishing in a
newspaper of general circulation published in the school
district an annual statement of affairs summary containing at
a minimum all of the following information:
(1) (Blank). A summary statement of operations for all
funds of the district, as excerpted from the statement of
affairs filed with the State Board of Education. The
summary statement must include a listing of all moneys
received by the district, indicating the total amounts, in
the aggregate, each fund of the district received, with a
general statement concerning the source of receipts.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this
subsection (a), a listing of all moneys paid out by the
district where the total amount paid during the fiscal
year exceeds $2,500 in the aggregate per person, giving
the name of each person to whom moneys were paid and the
total paid to each person.
(3) A listing of all personnel, by name, with an
annual fiscal year gross payment in the categories set
forth in subdivisions 1 and 2 of subsection (c) of this
Section.
In this Section, "newspaper of general circulation" means a
newspaper of general circulation published in the school

HB2986 - 33 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
district, or, if no newspaper is published in the school
district, a newspaper published in the county where the school
district is located or, if no newspaper is published in the
county, a newspaper published in the educational service
region where the regional superintendent of schools has
supervision and control of the school district. The submission
to the State Board of Education shall include an assurance
that the statement of affairs has been made available in the
main administrative office of the school district and that the
required notice has been published in accordance with this
Section.
After December 15 annually, upon 10 days prior written
notice to the school district, the State Board of Education
may discontinue the processing of payments to the State
Comptroller's office on behalf of any school district that is
not in compliance with the requirements imposed by this
Section. The State Board of Education shall resume the
processing of payments to the State Comptroller's Office on
behalf of the school district once the district is in
compliance with the requirements imposed by this Section.
The State Board of Education must post, on or before
January 15, all statements of affairs timely received from
school districts.
(b) When any school district is the administrative
district for several school districts operating under a joint
agreement as authorized by this Code, no receipts or

HB2986 - 34 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
disbursements accruing, received or paid out by that school
district as such an administrative district shall be included
in the statement of affairs of the district required by this
Section. However, that district shall have prepared and made
available to the public, in accordance with subsection (a) of
this Section, in the same manner and subject to the same
requirements as are provided in this Section for the statement
of affairs of that district, a statement of affairs for the
joint agreement showing the cash receipts and disbursements by
funds (or the revenue, expenses and financial position, if the
accrual system of accounting is used) of the district as such
administrative district, in the form prescribed by the State
Board of Education. The costs of publishing the notice and
summary of this separate statement prepared by such an
administrative district shall be apportioned among and paid by
the participating districts in the same manner as other costs
and expenses accruing to those districts jointly.
School districts on a cash basis shall have prepared and
made available to the public, in accordance with subsection
(a) of this Section, a statement showing the cash receipts and
disbursements by funds in the form prescribed by the State
Board of Education.
School districts using the accrual system of accounting
shall have prepared and made available to the public, in
accordance with subsection (a) of this Section, a statement of
revenue and expenses and a statement of financial position in

HB2986 - 35 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
the form prescribed by the State Board of Education.
In Class II county school units such statement shall be
prepared and made available to the public, in accordance with
subsection (a) of this Section, by the township treasurer of
the unit within which such districts are located, except with
respect to the school board of any school district that no
longer is subject to the jurisdiction and authority of a
township treasurer or trustees of schools of a township
because the district has withdrawn from the jurisdiction and
authority of the township treasurer and trustees of schools of
the township or because those offices have been abolished as
provided in subsection (b) or (c) of Section 5-1, and as to
each such school district the statement required by this
Section shall be prepared and made available to the public, in
accordance with subsection (a) of this Section, by the school
board of such district in the same manner as required for
school boards of school districts situated in Class I county
school units.
(c) The statement of affairs required pursuant to this
Section shall contain such information as may be required by
the State Board of Education, including:
1. (Blank). Annual fiscal year gross payment for
certificated personnel to be shown by name, listing each
employee in one of the following categories:
(a) Under $25,000
(b) $25,000 to $39,999

HB2986 - 36 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
(c) $40,000 to $59,999
(d) $60,000 to $89,999
(e) $90,000 and over
2. Annual fiscal year payment for non-certificated
personnel to be shown by name, listing each employee in
one of the following categories:
(a) Under $39,999 $25,000
(b) $40,000 to $54,999 $25,000 to $39,999
(c) $55,000 to $74,999 $40,000 to $59,999
(d) $75,000 $60,000 and over
3. Excluding In addition to wages and salaries, all
other moneys in the aggregate paid to recipients of $1,000
or more, giving the name of the person, firm or
corporation and the total amount received by each. This
listing shall be inclusive of moneys expended from any
revolving fund maintained by the school district.
4. Approximate size of school district in square
miles.
5. Number of school attendance centers.
6. Numbers of employees as follows:
(a) Full-time certificated employees;
(b) Part-time certificated employees;
(c) Full-time non-certificated employees;
(d) Part-time non-certificated employees.
7. (Blank). Numbers of pupils as follows:
(a) Enrolled by grades;

HB2986 - 37 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
(b) Total enrolled;
(c) Average daily attendance.
8. (Blank). Assessed valuation as follows:
(a) Total of the district;
(b) Per pupil in average daily attendance.
9. Tax rate for each district fund.
10. (Blank). District financial obligation at the
close of the fiscal year as follows:
(a) Teachers' orders outstanding;
(b) Anticipation warrants outstanding for each
fund.
11. (Blank). Total bonded debt at the close of the
fiscal year.
12. (Blank). Percent of bonding power obligated
currently.
13. (Blank). Value of capital assets of the district
including:
(a) Land;
(b) Buildings;
(c) Equipment.
14. (Blank). Total amount of investments each fund.
15. (Blank). Change in net cash position from the
previous report period for each district fund.
16. A report on contracts, as required in Section
10-20.44.
In addition to the above report, a report of expenditures

HB2986 - 38 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
in the aggregate paid on behalf of recipients of $500 or more,
giving the name of the person, firm or corporation and the
total amount received by each shall be available in the school
district office for public inspection. This listing shall
include all wages, salaries and expenditures over $500
expended from any revolving fund maintained by the district.
Any resident of the school district may receive a copy of this
report, upon request, by paying a reasonable charge to defray
the costs of preparing such copy.
This Section does not apply to cities having a population
exceeding 500,000.
(Source: P.A. 94-875, eff. 7-1-06.)
(105 ILCS 5/10-20.44)
Sec. 10-20.44. Report on contracts.
(a) This Section applies to all school districts,
including a school district organized under Article 34 of this
Code.
(b) A school board must list on the district's Internet
website, if any, all contracts over $25,000 and any contract
that the school board enters into with an exclusive bargaining
representative.
(c) Each year, in conjunction with the publication
submission of the Statement of Affairs on the district's
Internet website or in a newspaper of general circulation to
the State Board of Education prior to October December 1,

HB2986 - 39 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
provided for in Section 10-17, each school district shall
include submit to the State Board of Education an annual
report on all contracts over $25,000 awarded by the school
district during the previous fiscal year. The report shall
include at least the following:
(1) the total number of all contracts awarded by the
school district;
(2) the total value of all contracts awarded;
(3) the number of contracts awarded to minority-owned
businesses, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned
by persons with disabilities, as defined in the Business
Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with
Disabilities Act, and locally owned businesses; and
(4) the total value of contracts awarded to
minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and
businesses owned by persons with disabilities, as defined
in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and
Persons with Disabilities Act, and locally owned
businesses.
The report shall be made available to the public,
including publication on the school district's Internet
website, if any.
(Source: P.A. 100-391, eff. 8-25-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/14-11.03) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-11.03)
Sec. 14-11.03. Illinois Service Resource Center. The State

HB2986 - 40 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
Board of Education shall maintain, subject to appropriations
for such purpose, the Service Resource Center for children and
adolescents through the age of 21 who are deaf or
hard-of-hearing and have an emotional or behavioral disorder.
For the purpose of this Section, "children and adolescents who
are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have an emotional or
behavioral disorder" have an auditory impairment that is
serious enough to warrant an array of special services and
special education programs in order to assist both
educationally and socially and the behavior is seriously
disruptive and unacceptable to peers, educational staff, and
persons in the community, or presents a danger to self or
others.
The State Board shall operate or contract for the
operation of the Illinois Service Resource Center for children
and adolescents through the age of 21 who are deaf or
hard-of-hearing and have an emotional or behavioral disorder.
The Illinois Service Resource Center shall function as the
initial point of contact for students, parents, and
professionals. All existing and future services shall be
coordinated through the Center.
The Illinois Service Resource Center shall:
(a) Develop and maintain a directory of public and private
resources, including crisis intervention.
(b) Establish and maintain a Statewide identification and
tracking system.

HB2986 - 41 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
(c) Develop, obtain, and assure the consistency of
screening instruments.
(d) Perform case coordination, referral, and consultation
services.
(e) Provide technical assistance and training for existing
programs and providers.
(f) Track the allocation and expenditure of State and
federal funds.
(g) Monitor, evaluate, and assess Statewide resources,
identification of services gaps, and the development and
delivery of services.
(h) Identify by geographical areas the need for
establishing evaluation and crisis intervention services and
establish a pilot in downstate Illinois. The Service Resource
Center shall provide for the coordination of services for
children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have an emotional
or behavioral disorder throughout the State and shall pilot a
service delivery model to identify the capacity and need for
comprehensive evaluation, crisis management, stabilization,
referral, transition, family intervention, and follow-up
services.
(i) (Blank). Integrate the recommendations of the
Interagency Board for Children who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
and have an Emotional or Behavioral Disorder regarding
policies affecting children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
and have an emotional or behavioral disorder.

HB2986 - 42 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
(j) Provide limited direct services as required.
The Center, if established, shall operate on a no-reject
basis. Any child or adolescent diagnosed as deaf or
hard-of-hearing and having an emotional or behavioral disorder
under this Act who is referred to the Center for services shall
qualify for services of the Center. The requirement of the
no-reject basis shall be paramount in negotiating contracts
and in supporting other agency services.
(Source: P.A. 88-663, eff. 9-16-94; 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)
(105 ILCS 5/14A-32)
Sec. 14A-32. Accelerated placement; school district
responsibilities.
(a) Each school district shall have a policy that allows
for accelerated placement that includes or incorporates by
reference the following components:
(1) a provision that provides that participation in
accelerated placement is not limited to those children who
have been identified as gifted and talented, but rather is
open to all children who demonstrate high ability and who
may benefit from accelerated placement;
(2) a fair and equitable decision-making process that
involves multiple persons and includes a student's parents
or guardians;
(3) procedures for notifying parents or guardians of a
child of a decision affecting that child's participation

HB2986 - 43 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
in an accelerated placement program; and
(4) an assessment process that includes multiple
valid, reliable indicators.
(a-5) By no later than the beginning of the 2023-2024
school year, a school district's accelerated placement policy
shall allow for the automatic enrollment, in the following
school term, of a student into the next most rigorous level of
advanced coursework offered by the high school if the student
meets or exceeds State standards in English language arts,
mathematics, or science on a State assessment administered
under Section 2-3.64a-5 as follows:
(1) A student who exceeds State standards in English
language arts shall be automatically enrolled into the
next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in
English, social studies, humanities, or related subjects.
(2) A student who exceeds State standards in
mathematics shall be automatically enrolled into the next
most rigorous level of advanced coursework in mathematics.
(3) A student who exceeds State standards in science
shall be automatically enrolled into the next most
rigorous level of advanced coursework in science.
(a-10) By no later than the beginning of the 2027-2028
school year, a school district's accelerated placement policy
shall allow for automatic eligibility, in the following school
term, for a student to enroll in the next most rigorous level
of advanced coursework offered by the high school if the

HB2986 - 44 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
student meets State standards in English language arts,
mathematics, or science on a State assessment administered
under Section 2-3.64a-5 as follows:
(1) A student who meets State standards in English
language arts shall be automatically eligible to enroll in
the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework in
English, social studies, humanities, or related subjects.
(2) A student who meets State standards in mathematics
shall be automatically eligible to enroll in the next most
rigorous level of advanced coursework in mathematics.
(3) A student who meets State standards in science
shall be automatically eligible to enroll in the next most
rigorous level of advanced coursework in science.
(a-15) For a student entering grade 12, the next most
rigorous level of advanced coursework in English language arts
or mathematics shall be a dual credit course, as defined in the
Dual Credit Quality Act, an Advanced Placement course, as
defined in Section 10 of the College and Career Success for All
Students Act, or an International Baccalaureate course;
otherwise, the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework
under this subsection (a-15) may include a dual credit course,
as defined in the Dual Credit Quality Act, an Advanced
Placement course, as defined in Section 10 of the College and
Career Success for All Students Act, an International
Baccalaureate course, an honors class, an enrichment
opportunity, a gifted program, or another program offered by

HB2986 - 45 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
the district.
A school district may use the student's most recent State
assessment results to determine whether a student meets or
exceeds State standards. For a student entering grade 9,
results from the State assessment taken in grades 6 through 8
may be used. For other high school grades, the results from a
locally selected, nationally normed assessment may be used
instead of the State assessment if those results are the most
recent.
(a-20) A school district's accelerated placement policy
may allow for the waiver of a course or unit of instruction
completion requirement if (i) completion of the course or unit
of instruction is required by this Code or rules adopted by the
State Board of Education as a prerequisite to receiving a high
school diploma and (ii) the school district has determined
that the student has demonstrated mastery of or competency in
the content of the course or unit of instruction. The school
district shall maintain documentation of this determination of
mastery or competency for each student, that shall include
identification of the learning standards or competencies
reviewed, the methods of measurement used, student
performance, the date of the determination, and identification
of the district personnel involved in the determination
process.
(a-25) A school district's accelerated placement policy
must include a process through which the parent or guardian of

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each student who meets State standards is provided
notification in writing of the student's eligibility for
enrollment in accelerated courses. This notification must
provide details on the procedures for the parent or guardian
to enroll or not enroll the student in accelerated courses, in
writing, on forms the school district makes available. If no
course selection is made by the parent or guardian in
accordance with procedures set forth by the school district,
the student shall be automatically enrolled in the next most
rigorous level of coursework. A school district must provide
the parent or guardian of a student eligible for enrollment
under subsection (a-5) or (a-10) with the option to instead
have the student enroll in alternative coursework that better
aligns with the student's postsecondary education or career
goals. If applicable, a school district must provide
notification to a student's parent or guardian that the
student will receive a waiver of a course or unit of
instruction completion requirement under subsection
subsections (a-5) or (a-10).
Nothing in subsection (a-5) or (a-10) may be interpreted
to preclude other students from enrolling in advanced
coursework per the policy of a school district.
(a-30) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the
implementation of policies that allow for automatic enrollment
of students who meet standards on State assessments into the
next most rigorous level of advanced coursework offered by a

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high school.
(b) Further, a school district's accelerated placement
policy may include or incorporate by reference, but need not
be limited to, the following components:
(1) procedures for annually informing the community
at-large, including parents or guardians, community-based
organizations, and providers of out-of-school programs,
about the accelerated placement program and the methods
used for the identification of children eligible for
accelerated placement, including strategies to reach
groups of students and families who have been historically
underrepresented in accelerated placement programs and
advanced coursework;
(2) a process for referral that allows for multiple
referrers, including a child's parents or guardians; other
referrers may include licensed education professionals,
the child, with the written consent of a parent or
guardian, a peer, through a licensed education
professional who has knowledge of the referred child's
abilities, or, in case of possible early entrance, a
preschool educator, pediatrician, or psychologist who
knows the child;
(3) a provision that provides that children
participating in an accelerated placement program and
their parents or guardians will be provided a written plan
detailing the type of acceleration the child will receive

HB2986 - 48 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
and strategies to support the child;
(4) procedures to provide support and promote success
for students who are newly enrolled in an accelerated
placement program;
(5) a process for the school district to review and
utilize disaggregated data on participation in an
accelerated placement program to address gaps among
demographic groups in accelerated placement opportunities;
and
(6) procedures to promote equity, which may
incorporate one or more of the following evidence-based
practices:
(A) the use of multiple tools to assess
exceptional potential and provide several pathways
into advanced academic programs when assessing student
need for advanced academic or accelerated programming;
(B) providing enrichment opportunities starting in
the early grades to address achievement gaps that
occur at school entry and provide students with
opportunities to demonstrate their advanced potential;
(C) the use of universal screening combined with
local school-based norms for placement in accelerated
and advanced learning programs;
(D) developing a continuum of services to identify
and develop talent in all learners ranging from
enriched learning experiences, such as problem-based

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learning, performance tasks, critical thinking, and
career exploration, to accelerated placement and
advanced academic programming; and
(E) providing professional learning in gifted
education for teachers and other appropriate school
personnel to appropriately identify and challenge
students from diverse cultures and backgrounds who may
benefit from accelerated placement or advanced
academic programming.
(c) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
determine data to be collected and disaggregated by
demographic group regarding accelerated placement, including
the rates of students who participate in and successfully
complete advanced coursework, and a method of making the
information available to the public.
(d) On or before November 1, 2022, following a review of
disaggregated data on the participation and successful
completion rates of students enrolled in an accelerated
placement program, each school district shall develop a plan
to expand access to its accelerated placement program and to
ensure the teaching capacity necessary to meet the increased
demand.
(Source: P.A. 102-209, eff. 11-30-21 (See Section 5 of P.A.
102-671 for effective date of P.A. 102-209); 103-263, eff.
6-30-23; 103-743, eff. 8-2-24; revised 10-21-24.)

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(105 ILCS 5/14C-3) (from Ch. 122, par. 14C-3)
Sec. 14C-3. Language classification of children;
establishment of program; period of participation;
examination. Each school district shall ascertain, not later
than the first day of March, under regulations prescribed by
the State Board, the number of English learners within the
school district, and shall classify them according to the
language of which they possess a primary speaking ability, and
their grade level, age or achievement level.
When, at the beginning of any school year, there is within
an attendance center of a school district, not including
children who are enrolled in existing private school systems,
20 or more English learners in any such language
classification, the school district shall establish, for each
classification, a program in transitional bilingual education
for the children therein. A school district may establish a
program in transitional bilingual education with respect to
any classification with less than 20 children therein, but
should a school district decide not to establish such a
program, the school district shall provide a locally
determined transitional program of instruction which, based
upon an individual student language assessment, provides
content area instruction in a language other than English to
the extent necessary to ensure that each student can benefit
from educational instruction and achieve an early and
effective transition into the regular school curriculum.

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Every school-age English learner not enrolled in existing
private school systems shall be enrolled and participate in
the program in transitional bilingual education established
for the classification to which he belongs by the school
district in which he resides for a period of 3 years or until
such time as he achieves a level of English language skills
which will enable him to perform successfully in classes in
which instruction is given only in English, whichever shall
first occur.
An English learner enrolled in a program in transitional
bilingual education may, in the discretion of the school
district and subject to the approval of the child's parent or
legal guardian, continue in that program for a period longer
than 3 years.
An examination in the oral language (listening and
speaking), reading, and writing of English, as prescribed by
the State Board, shall be administered annually to all English
learners enrolled and participating in a program in
transitional bilingual education. No school district shall
transfer an English learner out of a program in transitional
bilingual education prior to his third year of enrollment
therein unless the parents of the child approve the transfer
in writing, and unless the child has received a score on said
examination which, in the determination of the State Board,
reflects a level of English language skills appropriate to his
or her grade level.

HB2986 - 52 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
If later evidence suggests that a child so transferred is
still disabled by an inadequate command of English, he may be
re-enrolled in the program for a length of time equal to that
which remained at the time he was transferred.
(Source: P.A. 98-972, eff. 8-15-14; 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)
(105 ILCS 5/17-1.5)
Sec. 17-1.5. Limitation of administrative costs.
(a) It is the purpose of this Section to establish
limitations on the growth of administrative expenditures in
order to maximize the proportion of school district resources
available for the instructional program, building maintenance,
and safety services for the students of each district.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section:
"Administrative expenditures" mean the annual expenditures
of school districts properly attributable to expenditure
functions defined by the rules of the State Board of Education
as: 2320 (Executive Administration Services); 2330 (Special
Area Administration Services); 2490 (Other Support Services -
School Administration); 2510 (Direction of Business Support
Services); 2570 (Internal Services); and 2610 (Direction of
Central Support Services); provided, however, that
"administrative expenditures" shall not include early
retirement or other pension system obligations required by
State law.
"School district" means all school districts having a

HB2986 - 53 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
population of less than 500,000.
(c) For the 1998-99 school year and each school year
thereafter, each school district shall undertake budgetary and
expenditure control actions so that the increase in
administrative expenditures for that school year over the
prior school year does not exceed 5%. School districts with
administrative expenditures per pupil in the 25th percentile
and below for all districts of the same type, as defined by the
State Board of Education, may waive the limitation imposed
under this Section for any year following a public hearing and
with the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
members of the school board of the district. Any district
waiving the limitation shall notify the State Board within 45
days of such action.
(d) School districts shall file with the State Board of
Education by November 15, 1998 and by each February November
15th thereafter a one-page report that lists (i) the actual
administrative expenditures for the prior year from the
district's audited Annual Financial Report, and (ii) the
projected administrative expenditures for the current year
from the budget adopted by the school board pursuant to
Section 17-1 of this Code.
If a school district that is ineligible to waive the
limitation imposed by subsection (c) of this Section by board
action exceeds the limitation solely because of circumstances
beyond the control of the district and the district has

HB2986 - 54 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
exhausted all available and reasonable remedies to comply with
the limitation, the district may request a waiver pursuant to
Section 2-3.25g. The waiver application shall specify the
amount, nature, and reason for the relief requested, as well
as all remedies the district has exhausted to comply with the
limitation. Any emergency relief so requested shall apply only
to the specific school year for which the request is made. The
State Board of Education shall analyze all such waivers
submitted and shall recommend that the General Assembly
disapprove any such waiver requested that is not due solely to
circumstances beyond the control of the district and for which
the district has not exhausted all available and reasonable
remedies to comply with the limitation. The State
Superintendent shall have no authority to impose any sanctions
pursuant to this Section for any expenditures for which a
waiver has been requested until such waiver has been reviewed
by the General Assembly.
If the report and information required under this
subsection (d) are not provided by the school district in a
timely manner, or are subsequently determined by the State
Superintendent of Education to be incomplete or inaccurate,
the State Superintendent shall notify the district in writing
of reporting deficiencies. The school district shall, within
60 days of the notice, address the reporting deficiencies
identified.
(e) If the State Superintendent determines that a school

HB2986 - 55 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
district has failed to comply with the administrative
expenditure limitation imposed in subsection (c) of this
Section, the State Superintendent shall notify the district of
the violation and direct the district to undertake corrective
action to bring the district's budget into compliance with the
administrative expenditure limitation. The district shall,
within 60 days of the notice, provide adequate assurance to
the State Superintendent that appropriate corrective actions
have been or will be taken. If the district fails to provide
adequate assurance or fails to undertake the necessary
corrective actions, the State Superintendent may impose
progressive sanctions against the district that may culminate
in withholding all subsequent payments of general State aid
due the district under Section 18-8.05 of this Code or
evidence-based funding due the district under Section 18-8.15
of this Code until the assurance is provided or the corrective
actions taken.
(f) The State Superintendent shall publish a list each
year of the school districts that violate the limitation
imposed by subsection (c) of this Section and a list of the
districts that waive the limitation by board action as
provided in subsection (c) of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/27A-12)
Sec. 27A-12. Evaluation; report. On or before September 30

HB2986 - 56 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
of every odd-numbered year, all local school boards with at
least one charter school shall submit a report to the State
Board containing any information required by the State Board
pursuant to applicable rule. The State Board shall post the
local school board reports on its Internet website by no later
than November 1 of every odd-numbered year. On or before the
second Wednesday in January of every even-numbered year, the
State Board shall issue a report to the General Assembly and
the Governor on its findings for the previous 2 school years.
The local school board's State Board's report shall include
summarize all of the following:
(1) The authorizer's strategic vision for chartering
and progress toward achieving that vision.
(2) The academic and financial performance of all
operating charter schools overseen by the authorizer,
according to the performance expectations for charter
schools set forth in this Article.
(3) The status of the authorizer's charter school
portfolio, identifying all charter schools in each of the
following categories: approved (but not yet open),
operating, renewed, transferred, revoked, not renewed,
voluntarily closed, or never opened.
(4) The authorizing functions provided by the
authorizer to the charter schools under its purview,
including the authorizer's operating costs and expenses
detailed in annual audited financial statements, which

HB2986 - 57 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
must conform with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Further, in the report required by this Section, the State
Board (i) shall compare the performance of charter school
pupils with the performance of ethnically and economically
comparable groups of pupils in other public schools who are
enrolled in academically comparable courses, (ii) shall review
information regarding the regulations and policies from which
charter schools were released to determine if the exemptions
assisted or impeded the charter schools in meeting their
stated goals and objectives, and (iii) shall include suggested
changes in State law necessary to strengthen charter schools.
In addition, the State Board shall undertake and report on
periodic evaluations of charter schools that include
evaluations of student academic achievement, the extent to
which charter schools are accomplishing their missions and
goals, the sufficiency of funding for charter schools, and the
need for changes in the approval process for charter schools.
Based on the information that the State Board receives
from authorizers and the State Board's ongoing monitoring of
both charter schools and authorizers, the State Board has the
power to remove the power to authorize from any authorizer in
this State if the authorizer does not demonstrate a commitment
to high-quality authorization practices and, if necessary,
revoke the chronically low-performing charters authorized by
the authorizer at the time of the removal. The State Board

HB2986 - 58 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
shall adopt rules as needed to carry out this power, including
provisions to determine the status of schools authorized by an
authorizer whose authorizing power is revoked.
(Source: P.A. 103-175, eff. 6-30-23.)
(105 ILCS 5/Art. 1G rep.)
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.25c rep.)
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.51 rep.)
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.51a rep.)
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.119a rep.)
(105 ILCS 5/3-15.17 rep.)
Section 15. The School Code is amended by repealing
Article 1G and Sections 2-3.25c, 2-3.51, 2-3.51a, 2-3.119a,
and 3-15.17.
(105 ILCS 310/Act rep.)
Section 20. The Illinois Summer School for the Arts Act is
repealed.
(325 ILCS 35/Act rep.)
Section 25. The Interagency Board for Children who are
Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and have an Emotional or Behavioral
Disorder Act is repealed.
Section 30. The Bikeway Act is amended by changing Section
4 as follows:

HB2986 - 59 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
(605 ILCS 30/4) (from Ch. 121, par. 604)
Sec. 4. In expending funds available for purposes of this
Act, the Department shall cooperate with municipalities,
townships, counties, road districts, park districts and other
appropriate agencies and organizations and, where possible and
practicable, shall allocate its expenditures among the several
regions of the State, proportionally to the bicycling
population.
The Secretary of Transportation shall serve as chairman of
and shall at least quarterly convene an interagency council on
the bikeways program, comprised of the Director of Natural
Resources, the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
or his or her designee, the State Superintendent of Education
or his or her designee, a county engineer or county
superintendent of highways chosen by the statewide association
of county engineers, a representative of the Cook County
Forest Preserve District, and the Secretary of Transportation,
for the purpose of determining policy and priorities in
effectuating the purposes of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 102-276, eff. 8-6-21.)
HB2986 - 60 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
INDEX
Statutes amended in order of appearance
20 ILCS 5010/10
105 ILCS 5/1A-10
105 ILCS 5/1D-1
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25a from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.25a
105 ILCS 5/2-3.115
105 ILCS 5/2-3.153
105 ILCS 5/3-7 from Ch. 122, par. 3-7
105 ILCS 5/3-15.1 from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.1
105 ILCS 5/10-17 from Ch. 122, par. 10-17
105 ILCS 5/10-20.44
105 ILCS 5/14-11.03 from Ch. 122, par. 14-11.03
105 ILCS 5/14A-32
105 ILCS 5/14C-3 from Ch. 122, par. 14C-3
105 ILCS 5/17-1.5
105 ILCS 5/27A-12
105 ILCS 5/Art. 1G rep.
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25c rep.
105 ILCS 5/2-3.51 rep.
105 ILCS 5/2-3.51a rep.
105 ILCS 5/2-3.119a rep.
105 ILCS 5/3-15.17 rep.
105 ILCS 310/Act rep.
325 ILCS 35/Act rep.
HB2986 - 61 - LRB104 08403 LNS 18454 b
605 ILCS 30/4 from Ch. 121, par. 604