February 7, 2020
COMMITTEE HEARINGS COMMENCE
Education committees in both legislative chambers convened this week while in session in Springfield, but little legislative action was taken. The General Assembly is still working through bill introductions and positioning legislation for discussion and action. Important discussions continue around expanding special education services beyond age 21, truancy issues, and student safety.Lawmakers will be in their districts next week as the General Assembly is not scheduled to meet again in the Capitol until February 18. The early weeks of the legislative session are a good time for school board members and administrators to contact their legislators. It is valuable to share important work being done in the district and the challenges facing the district. School board members and administrators should also offer to be a resource for legislators when they are being faced with education issues in the Capitol.
The Constitution of the State of Illinois requires the governor to deliver a budget address to the General Assembly. This year's budget address is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. While it is the governor's responsibility to present the budget, it is up to the General Assembly to draft budget legislation and approve it. The Illinois Association of School Boards, with our partners in the Statewide School Management Alliance, will be advocating for a strong continued investment in Evidence-Based Funding, as well as fully funding mandated categorical grant programs.
BILL ACTION FROM THIS WEEK
HB 3935 (Kifowit, D-Aurora) specifies certain notification and other actions must be made by a law enforcement officer, school resource officer, or other school security personnel when a student is being questioned or detained for a suspected criminal act. The bill was approved by the House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.HB 4011 (Didech, D-Buffalo Grove) provides that the list of religious holidays, created by the superintendent for excused absence purposes, shall include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Onam, Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah for all schools regardless of whether a student or family has requested an excused absence to participate. The bill was approved by the House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.
HR 203 (DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights) urges formation of a South Suburban Youth Coalition and Violence Prevention Task Force for Bloom THSD 206, Crete-Monee CUSD 201U, and Rich THSD 227. The resolution was approved by the House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.
SB 2279 (Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights) prohibits students taking hunting safety courses from bringing weapons to school. The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee and was sent to the Senate floor for further consideration.
SR 896 (Link, D-Gurnee) declares March 2020 as "Illinois Whole Child Month." The resolution was approved by the Senate Education Committee and was sent to the Senate floor for further consideration.
SJR 53 (Bertino-Tarrant, D-Plainfield) declares May 4-8, 2020 as Teacher Appreciation Week. The resolution was approved by the Senate Education Committee and was sent to the Senate floor for further consideration.