Capitol Watch
Below you will find links to detailed information about the status of current education-related bills in the Legislature. Click on the bill number to access the Illinois General Assembly website containing full text and all actions associated with the bill. Those bills identified with an asterisk* are IEA initiatives.
| Bill # (current status of bill can be found by clicking on the bill #) | Description | Position | Topic | Fact Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB 261 | Provides school districts the discretion to use their transportation funding to assist homeless students and their families with rental or mortgage insurance. | Support | Other | |
| HB 768* | This initiative would create a charter school application process where only locally elected school boards and parents could decide if a charter school is good for their community. The amendment allows a charter applicant to appeal to the courts under judicial review if it is believed the application review process was not performed as outlined in statute. | Support | Charter Schools & Vouchers | Fact Sheet |
| HB 4045 | Constitutional/voluntary pension legislation that does not force members in IMRF, TRS or SURS to diminish their pensions - creates a Tier 3 option for future participants | Neutral | Pensions | Fact Sheet |
| SB 1905 | Collective Bargaining Freedom Act | Support | Other | |
| HJR 83 | Urges those in government to commit to working to change the culture that breeds sexual harassment | Support | Other | |
| HJR 86 | Urges those in state government to commit to working to change the culture of racism within state government | Support | Other | |
| SB 2527 | Would allow any number of students, to take any number of courses, online. The IEA opposes state funded home schooling programs. Furthermore, the intent of this legislation is to force a district to offer courses it no longer chooses or can’t provide. If a school district cannot provide that instruction a door would be opened to allow an outside online company to be contracted by the district. | Opposed | Other | |
| SB 2838 | Allows school districts to contract with a substitute teacher “clearing house” when a substitute teacher shortage exists and all other avenues have been exhausted | Support | Substitute Shortage | |
| SB 2892* | Sets the minimum starting salary for a teacher in Illinois at $40,000 | Support | Other | Fact Sheet |
| HB 5175* | Sets the minimum starting salary for a teacher in Illinois at $40,000 | Support | Other | Fact Sheet |
| HB 4768* | Makes substantive changes to Illinois School Board Oath, with a focus on students and education | Support | Other | |
| HB 4243 | Provides that no public funds, including, but not limited to, funds appropriated for the pay and allowances of members of the General Assembly, shall be used to create a payout of money to any person involved with and relevant to allegations and investigations of sexual harassment by a member of the General Assembly. | Support | Other | |
| HB 5696 | Creates the Bridge Program for Underrepresented Students Act. Provides that each public university in this State may establish a Bridge Program for underrepresented students. | Support | Higher Ed | |
| SB 3109 | Ensures that no one will be denied a teacher, lawyer, doctor, nurse, or social worker license (or various other professional licenses) solely because of his or her citizenship or immigration status | Support | Other | |
| SB 2925 | Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall develop or approve a curriculum for a certified training program for school resource officers | Support | Trauma Informed | |
| HB 4742 | Allows school districts to contract with a substitute teacher “clearing house” when a substitute teacher shortage exists and all other avenues have been exhausted | Support | Substitute Shortage | |
| HR 795 | Commits the General Assmebly to prioritize school climate and culture and urges the General Assembly to support schools in obtaining and sustaining the resources, trainings and ongoing professional development to promote positive and supportive school climates and cultures | Support | Other | |
| HJR 115 | Reaffirms Illinois’ commitment to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline by urging the U.S. DOE not to rescind guidance that helps public schools address student discipline without discriminating | Support | Other | |
| SB 2546 | Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. It provides that the term "student" within the definition of "educational employee" or "employee" as used in the Act includes (rather than excludes) graduate students who are teaching assistants primarily performing duties that involve the delivery and support of instruction and all other graduate students. | Support | Higher Ed | |
| SB 3622* | Repeals the 3 percent salary cap/limit for members who participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) | Support | Other | Take Action! |
| HB 5937* | Repeals the 3 percent salary cap/limit for members who participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) | Support | Other | Take Action! |