SB2773 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

SCH CD-LICENSURE-PARAPROFESS
Last Action
4/27/2026 - House: Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
Hearings
Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Hearing May 6 2026 2:00PM Capitol Building Room 115 Springfield, IL
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
105 ILCS 5/21B-20  
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to issue a short-term approval for a paraprofessional educator to an individual who does not meet the requirements necessary for issuance of an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement. Provides that the short-term approval authorizes an individual to serve as a paraprofessional educator in a school district, including a charter school, or a State-operated program, with the short-term approval expiring on June 30 immediately following the third full fiscal year after the approval was issued without renewal. Provides that upon expiration of the short-term approval, the State Superintendent of Education shall issue an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement to the individual if the individual meets specified requirements.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Changes the requirements for issuance of a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations as follows: Requires the applicant to be at least 18 years of age and using the Educator License with Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten through 8 until the individual reaches the age of 19 years or be 19 years of age or older and otherwise meet the criteria for a paraprofessional educator endorsement. Requires the applicant to also meet at least one of the following requirements: (i) hold a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and pass a paraprofessional competency test; (ii) hold an associate degree or a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or (iii) if applicable, have been issued a short-term approval for paraprofessionals and have been employed as a paraprofessional educator for each year the short-term approval is valid, have paid the required license renewal fee, and have been determined by the school district to have met specified competencies. Makes other changes.
Actions
DateChamberAction
1/13/2026SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
1/13/2026SenateFirst Reading
1/13/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
2/03/2026SenateAssigned to Education
3/11/2026SenateDo Pass Education; 014-000-000
3/11/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026
3/16/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter
3/24/2026SenateSecond Reading
3/24/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 25, 2026
3/31/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson
4/13/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
4/14/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jil Tracy
4/14/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema
4/15/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
4/15/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
4/16/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Be Approved for Consideration Assignments
4/16/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler
4/16/2026SenateRecalled to Second Reading
4/16/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Loughran-Cappel
4/16/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
4/16/2026SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
4/16/2026SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler
4/16/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
4/17/2026HouseArrived in House
4/17/2026HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley
4/17/2026HouseFirst Reading
4/17/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
4/27/2026HouseAssigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
4/29/2026HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias