Delivered via email: March 7, 2023
With deadlines in both chambers of the General Assembly, IASB along with other school management groups will be busy responding to nearly 400 legislative initiatives assigned to committees this week alone. Of these bills that will impact school districts in one way or another, IASB staff has worked to identify legislation that will be most impactful to school boards and districts – and we need your help!
Each of you has an opportunity to let your voice be heard and fill out a witness slip in SUPPORT or OPPOSITION to the bills listed below. Please join us in communicating IASB positions on these proposals! Your voice truly does make a difference.
Witness Slip Instructions: Click on the highlighted bill below and then fill out the Witness Slip page. Under Section II. Representation, fill in Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). Choose your position, according to the lists below and check the “Record of Appearance Only” box. Accept the Terms of agreement and click “Create Slip.” You should get a confirmation box. (Note: The system does not like abbreviations with periods. Use Dr instead of Dr. if you have issues.)
OPPOSE:
HB 2784 (Hirschauer, D-West Chicago) would create a new minimum wage for school district employees who provide educational support services. Statewide FISCAL IMPACT would be nearly half a billion dollars in early estimates.
SB 1994 (Cappel, D-Crest Hill) would require school districts to submit quarterly to the State Board of Education a report that includes the amount of funds each district has in reserves, the amount in reserves, and the number of days each district has cash on hand. Forces any school district or school board reporting more than 250 days cash on hand to spend any excess cash on hand funds beyond the 250 days on educational services, including hiring teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, librarians, social workers, counselors, or psychologists.
SUPPORT:
HB 3442 (Crespo, D-Streamwood) would allow a school district to employ a substitute teacher in a vacant position for more than 30 days, rather than in an emergency situation only. Additional extensions can be requested through the appropriate Regional office of Education.
SB 2236 (Cappel, D-Crest Hill) would repeal the end date of June 30, 2023 to the short-term substitute teacher training program, as well as remove certain licensing fees.
SB 2374 (Lightford, D-Hillside) would establish a competitive grant program to support the development or enhancement of computer science programs in K-12 schools.