New Illinois Laws 2018: Schools and Education

High schools are now allowed to establish partnerships with local law enforcement to create police training academy job training programs. The Illinois School Assistance Commission is also required to administer a scholarship program for students who have participated in such programs and have been accepted into one of the state's public universities. (HB 243)

School Code and Regional Superintendent (HB 425): Changes the salaries of chief administrative officers and their appointed assistants at suburban Cook County intermediate service centers to be uniform with those of the Regional Offices of Education.

Breastfeeding Accommodations (HB 2369): Requires public and charter schools to provide reasonable breastfeeding accommodations for students.

Credit for Prior Learning (HB 2404): Creates the Credit for Prior Learning Act to improve degree attainment opportunities for underserved student populations.

School Reports Cards (HB 2461): Requires that information about gifted education be listed on the Illinois School Report Card website.

Early Childhood Expulsion (HB 2663): Prohibits the expulsion of children enrolled in early childhood programs receiving grants from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Alternative Credentials (HB 2740): Requires the regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board to make available for qualified individuals a High School Equivalency Testing Program.

Vocational Academy-Charter Schools (HB 2794): Requires all school districts, including Chicago Public Schools, to notify qualified students in grades 11 and 12 of dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities at public community colleges.

Student Internships (HB 2987): Creates the Illinois State Agency Student Worker Opportunity Act. When a state agency has a job opening, that agency must notify the Dept. of Human Services, Dept. of Juvenile Justice and Dept. of Children and Family Services who then must notify qualified applicants of the job opening.

Student Average Daily Attendance (HB 3059): Requires school districts to report average daily attendance figures for each grade level served.

Chronically Absent Students (HB 3139): Requires school districts to collect and review chronic absence data and determine ways to encourage daily attendance. Schools are encouraged but not required to provide support to students and families.

Feminine Hygiene Products (HB 3215): Requires school districts to make feminine hygiene products available and free for students.

Removing Antiquated Provisions (HB 3255): Amends the Illinois Board of Higher Education Act by rescinding antiquated provisions.

Entrepreneur Curriculum (HB 3368): Requires ISBE to post information for teaching entrepreneurial skills for school districts with secondary schools. ISBE will obtain tips from business groups and universities for the list of resources.

High-Skilled Manufacturing (HB 3369): Requires the Illinois State Board of Education to post resources regarding the teaching of high‐skilled manufacturing, to be used in high school and vocational education programs.

Teacher Abuse (HB 3394): Codifies current state practice relating to school districts working with DCFS when a teacher is subject to an abuse investigation.

School Employee Abuse Due Process (HB 3615): Provides that school employees have due process rights when they are the alleged perpetrator of child abuse or neglect.

Child Abuse Hotline (SB 764): Requires schools to post contact information for the Department of Children & Family Services to report child abuse or neglect.

Dual Credit Community College (HB 3601): Encourages East St. Louis School District 189 to allow students in grades 11 and 12 to take classes at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) for dual credit at no cost to the student.

Asthma Data (SB 1846): Amends the School Code to include collection of data about asthma. Also requires the Department of Public Health to collect and maintain health data on asthma.

Also Watch: New Illinois Laws in 2018 That Could Change Your Life