Delivered via email: February 20, 2026
Both chambers will return next week for a full slate of committee hearings. Key upcoming dates include the substantive bill deadlines on March 13 in the Senate and March 27 in the House, which will determine which proposals continue to advance this session. While certain high-profile bills may receive extensions, these deadlines significantly shape legislative priorities.
The General Assembly was busy at the Capitol this week, with both chambers in session on all scheduled days. While 50 committees were originally scheduled, most of them were cancelled with much of the week’s activity and conversation centered on Governor JB Pritzker’s eighth budget address, delivered on February 18.
In his remarks, the Governor focused on continued investments in education. Highlights include:
For a more in-depth review, see the Legislative Report that was emailed on February 18.
Senate Education
IASB looks forward to seeing many of you in Springfield to network, meet with legislators, hear timely updates from policymakers, and advocate for your students and public education throughout Illinois.
The next Advocacy Ambassador meeting will be on March 20 and will include legislative updates and logistics for those joining us for the IASB Advocacy Day in Springfield.
The IASB Governmental Relations team tracks all legislation that may impact K-12 public education and makes regular updates to that list. As a reminder, although a bill may be filed, many factors influence whether it makes its way through the legislative process. Some of those factors include whether the bill gets assigned by leadership to a committee, the extent of any opposition, and the priorities of the sponsor.
To ensure that IASB members can monitor all bills the Governmental Relations team is tracking, legislation has been broken down into ten different topics:
Boards of Education
Insurance
OMA and FOIA
Personnel
Regional Office of Education
School Finance
School Safety and Health
State Board of Education
Students
Taxation
This Week at the Capitol
While the Governor’s budget address highlighted the serious fiscal challenges that Illinois faces, noting several changes at the federal level which will significantly impact state revenue in coming years, IASB continues to see multiple unfunded mandates proposed this year. The IASB Governmental Relations team met with sponsors on a wide range of proposals, many of which represent significant unfunded mandates.Both chambers will return next week for a full slate of committee hearings. Key upcoming dates include the substantive bill deadlines on March 13 in the Senate and March 27 in the House, which will determine which proposals continue to advance this session. While certain high-profile bills may receive extensions, these deadlines significantly shape legislative priorities.
Governor Delivers His Eighth Budget Address
The General Assembly was busy at the Capitol this week, with both chambers in session on all scheduled days. While 50 committees were originally scheduled, most of them were cancelled with much of the week’s activity and conversation centered on Governor JB Pritzker’s eighth budget address, delivered on February 18.In his remarks, the Governor focused on continued investments in education. Highlights include:
- $305 million to Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) which is $45 million short of the $350 million, which is the statutory minimum. The shortfall is being withheld from the Property Tax Relief Grant, which has been paused for the second year while the professional review panel (PRP) evaluates the program. The PRP report is due by March 31, 2026.
- The proposed budget includes $51 million in additional funding for MCATs, but this falls $100 million short of the $151 million needed to maintain existing proration levels.
- The Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program was funded for a fourth year at $15 million, with the Governor noting that the program was set to expire after three years, but due to its success, he is expanding it for an additional year.
- A new Social Media Platform Fee, anticipated to generate $200 million per year, which he plans to use to support K-12 education.
For a more in-depth review, see the Legislative Report that was emailed on February 18.
Unfunded Mandates
Some of the unfunded mandates that have been reintroduced this session include:- Unemployment Insurance for ESPs During Summer and Scheduled Breaks (HB4416, Rep. Evans) (SB3286, Sen. Villivalam) - An initiative of a coalition of unions, including IEA and IFT, this is one of the most significant unfunded mandates proposed this session and would allow educational support personnel (ESPs) to collect unemployment benefits during summer and other scheduled breaks. Last year, during committee, one union projected that implementing this policy could cost the state approximately $50 million for their ESPs alone. IASB believes the cost is significantly more than that and is working to determine how to better define those costs. While there was a Subject Matter Hearing on this proposal last year, the legislation stalled. There is renewed momentum this session due to a change in sponsorship to the chair of the House Labor Committee and ongoing support from unions.
- Adult Changing Stations (HB4379, Rep. Briel) - This bill would require each school to install at least one adult changing station. Adult changing stations are a special type of equipment for older children and adults who require toileting and dressing assistance. The estimated cost is roughly $10,000 per changing station. In addition to the cost, this legislation currently applies to existing buildings, making the installation of adult changing stations potentially unfeasible. Last year, IASB successfully removed schools from this requirement, and the Governmental Relations team continues to work with the sponsor to explore a workable solution.
- Another unfunded mandate returning this year includes the requirement that schools conduct radon testing in their schools every five years (HB3691, Rep. A. Williams). It also requires remediation if unsafe levels are detected.
Other Bill of Interest
The House Revenue Committee was scheduled to hear HB2789, sponsored by Representative Mary Beth Canty which relates to “Megaprojects,” including the Chicago Bears stadium. However, it was abruptly canceled. If passed, this bill would allow developers to negotiate payments in lieu of property taxes with local governments, potentially affecting school districts’ revenue.Bills That Passed Out of Committee
The following bills impact K-12 education and passed out of legislative committees this week.Senate Education
- School for the Blind (Sen. Turner, SB3224)
- AI in Teacher Evaluations (Sen. Belt, SB2909)
- Service Animals in Schools (Sen. Turner, SR542)
- OMA Clarification (Sen. Porfirio, SB2715)
- Read with Your Child Week (Rep. Swanson HR613)
IASB Advocacy Day
The deadline to register for the March 24 IASB Advocacy Day is coming up fast! Make sure to register by February 27 to have access to the preparatory sessions and to help IASB support you in arranging meetings with your local legislators. IASB has secured a bus that will leave from the Lombard office at 6:30 a.m. on March 24, returning that evening by 8 p.m. Fill out the Bus Interest Form if you are interested in taking advantage of this option. If you plan to stay overnight on March 23, a limited hotel block is available at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield.IASB looks forward to seeing many of you in Springfield to network, meet with legislators, hear timely updates from policymakers, and advocate for your students and public education throughout Illinois.
Advocacy Ambassador Program
On Friday, February 20, IASB Governmental Relations staff hosted the February Advocacy Ambassador Meeting, with federal and state updates, including information about the Governor’s Budget Address. Advocacy Ambassadors also previewed new legislative update videos for this session. If you have not already, join this community to get timely legislative updates and new resources to help in your advocacy efforts.The next Advocacy Ambassador meeting will be on March 20 and will include legislative updates and logistics for those joining us for the IASB Advocacy Day in Springfield.
Legislative Tracking List
The IASB Governmental Relations team tracks all legislation that may impact K-12 public education and makes regular updates to that list. As a reminder, although a bill may be filed, many factors influence whether it makes its way through the legislative process. Some of those factors include whether the bill gets assigned by leadership to a committee, the extent of any opposition, and the priorities of the sponsor.To ensure that IASB members can monitor all bills the Governmental Relations team is tracking, legislation has been broken down into ten different topics:
Boards of Education
Insurance
OMA and FOIA
Personnel
Regional Office of Education
School Finance
School Safety and Health
State Board of Education
Students
Taxation