IFT Legislative Highlights for the Week of May 14 (Part 1 of 2)

This week, lawmakers rushed to move the remainder of legislation as the scheduled session adjournment date nears. Both chambers of the General Assembly adjourned for the weekend and will return to Springfield late afternoon on Monday, May 17, where they have just 13 session days to finalize the FY22 budget and address other big issues such as legislative redistricting.

Notable bill action this week:

Local School Board Council

SB 652 (Ramirez/Peters) provides that if the number of members serving on a local school council falls below seven members due to vacancies, then at least two of the four serving members of the local school council shall constitute a quorum for the sole purpose of convening a meeting to fill vacancies through appointments. SB 652 passed the House committee on a vote of 8-0-0.

School Food Program

SB 805 (Greenwood/Belt) requires school districts to establish a food sharing plan for unused food with a focus on needy students and incorporate the plan into its local wellness policy. SB 805 passed committee on a vote of 5-3-0.

Changing the EdTPA

SB 808 (Guzzardi/Murph) provides that to obtain a license under the Article, a student teacher candidate may not be required to videotape himself or herself or his or her students in a classroom setting. SB 808 passed the House committee as amended on a vote of 8-0-0.

School Support Personnel

SB 812 (Mussman/Bennett)requires the State Board of Education to make available on its website, not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the total number of personnel with a school support personnel endorsement and the pupil-to-school support personnel ratio, along with other information. SB 812 passed committee on a vote of 8-0-0.

Financial Changes for School Districts, Universities and Community Colleges

SB 813 (Mayfield/Johnson) provides that, with respect to the evidence-based funding formula and in recognition of the impact of COVID-19, the definition of "Average Student Enrollment" or "ASE" shall be adjusted for calculations for fiscal years 2022 – 2024. SB 813 passed the House committee on a vote of 5-3-0.

Mental Health Days for Students

SB 1577 (LaPointe/Martwick) allows students to be absent up to five days for mental or behavioral health without a medical note and shall be allowed to make up any schoolwork missed. House amendment 1 provides that the child, after the second mental health used, may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel. SB 1577 passed committee as amended unanimously.

Trauma Training Requirements

SB 2109 (Kifowit/Villa) requires school board members, administrators, and teachers to annually complete a course of instruction on the adoption of trauma-informed school standards. Passed committee on a vote of 5-3-0.

Student Records Transfer

SB 2434 (Lilly/Harmon) provides that school student records or information may be shared under an intergovernmental agreement with written parental or guardian consent, if the elementary school district and the high school district have attendance boundaries that overlap and are parties to an intergovernmental agreement that allows the sharing of student records and information between the districts. SB 2434 passed committee on a vote of 8-0-0.

Freedom Schools – Advanced Placement – Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

SB 820 (Lightford/Ammons) makes changes to the makeup of both the Inclusive American History Commission and the Whole Child Task Force.

• In a statute related to Freedom Schools, makes references to historically disadvantaged students, rather than African American students.

• Regarding accelerated placement, allows that for a student entering 12th grade, the next most rigorous level of advanced work in ELA or math shall be a dual credit course, an Advanced Placement Course or International Baccalaureate Course.

• The bill also makes changes to the Early Intervention Services System, extending the allowance for young children with IEPs to continue to receive services until the beginning of the school year, following their 3rd birthday.

Passed the House Ed Curriculum Committee, 14-9.