SB3492 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 18844 LNS 32289 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3492

Introduced 2/5/2026, by Sen. Willie Preston

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/2-3.118b new

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education may provide statewide guidance to school districts concerning a workforce development curriculum or programming or both that can be adopted at the school district, school, or classroom level and that provides best practices for teaching artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other types of rapidly growing technologies as deemed necessary, in a manner that prepares students for workforce, job, and career competencies in the future and informs students of new or growing job or career opportunities in these new fields. Provides that the State Board shall prepare a comprehensive review of any workforce development preparation curriculum and programming specifically designed around technology implemented or considered in other states through other state actions, policies, pilot programs, or school-based programs implemented or tested on a statewide or school-district basis. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education may convene meetings with stakeholders from the public or private sector in preparing the guidance and may allow for the submission of public comments from individuals, organizations, or other entities prior to finalizing the prepared guidance.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.118b as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.118b new)

Sec. 2-3.118b. Guidance on preparing students for a technology future.

(a) The General Assembly finds that this State has been a leader in technology innovation and a growing leader in attracting and retaining talent in some of the fastest-growing industries and sectors, including quantum computing. With the rapid growth of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, in the home, classroom, and workplace, the General Assembly finds that this State must ensure that its students are being prepared in technological literacy and meet employer workforce needs of the future today through the adoption of a new and innovative educational curriculum and partnerships.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with other relevant State agencies, may provide statewide guidance to school districts concerning a workforce development curriculum or programming or both that can be adopted at the school district, school, or classroom level and that provides best practices for teaching artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other types of rapidly growing technologies as deemed necessary, in a manner that prepares students for workforce, job, and career competencies in the future and informs students of new or growing job or career opportunities in these new fields.

(c) In preparing the guidance under subsection (a), the State Board may partner with or consult employers, business organizations, career-focused not-for-profit entities, educational organizations, and other stakeholders in developing this curriculum or programming.

(d) The State Board shall prepare a comprehensive review of any workforce development preparation curriculum and programming specifically designed around technology, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, implemented or considered in other states through other state actions, policies, pilot programs, or school-based programs implemented or tested on a statewide or school-district basis.

(e) The State Superintendent of Education may convene meetings with stakeholders from the public or private sector in preparing the guidance under this Section and may allow for the submission of public comments from individuals, organizations, or other entities prior to finalizing the prepared guidance. If the State Board allows for the submission of public comments, the State Board shall publish, via electronic means, any and all materials submitted to the State Board.