Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with continuing education coursework commenced on or after July 1, 2026, a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer may recognize graduate-level continuing education coursework for purposes of salary advancement or lane changes only if the continuing education coursework meets specified requirements. Provides that nothing in the provisions impairs the ability of the parties to a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate salary schedules or compensation structures, as long as any graduate-level continuing education coursework recognized for salary advancement or lane changes complies with those specified requirements. Allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Higher Education, to adopt rules as necessary to implement the provisions. Effective July 1, 2026.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with continuing education coursework completed on or after July 1, 2026, a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer that provides for salary advancement for classroom teachers and administrators based on the completion of graduate-level, continuing education credit may recognize continuing education coursework for purposes of salary advancement only if the continuing education coursework meets specified requirements. Provides that nothing in the provisions impairs the ability of the parties to a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate salary schedules or compensation structures, as long as any continuing education coursework recognized for salary advancement complies with the provision requirements beginning with collective bargaining agreements entered into, modified, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that nothing in the provisions requires a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer to create a salary schedule or salary advancement pathway where one does not otherwise exist. Provides that implementation of the provisions shall be determined by each school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer. Effective immediately.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with continuing education coursework completed on or after July 1, 2026, a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer may provide salary advancement to licensed classroom teachers for the completion of continuing education coursework if the continuing education coursework: (1) is graduate-level, degree-eligible credit offered through a regionally accredited institution of higher education and documented on an official academic transcript; and (2) includes an instructor of record. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act requires a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer to create a salary schedule or salary advancement pathway if one does not otherwise exist. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act precludes the parties to a collectively bargained agreement from negotiating salary advancement or other compensation-related advancements under the collectively bargained agreement for other negotiated actions or activities by a licensed classroom teacher not set forth in the amendatory Act. Provides that implementation of the amendatory Act shall be determined by each school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer. Effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 105 ILCS 5/24
Engrossed: 105 ILCS 5/24
Enrolled: 105 ILCS 5/24