Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB2636

LRB104 09661 LNS 19727 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2636

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Martin McLaughlin

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new

Amends the School Code. Provides that subject to the availability of local resources, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each public middle school, junior high school, and high school may establish a junior color guard program to promote the value of and honor military personnel. Provides that the junior color guard may be used at school events, including interscholastic athletic events and other events in which the presenting of the colors is requested. Provides that each school may allow the junior color guard to participate in community events in which the presenting of the colors may be requested. Provides that each school may work with a civic organization or association to provide adequate training to the members of the junior color guard on the execution of their duties.

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 Sections 10-20.88 and 34-18.88 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new)

Sec. 10-20.88. Junior color guard.

(a) In this Section:

"Civic organization or association" includes, but is not limited to, a local organization or association representing veterans or military personnel or any other civic-minded community group.

"Local resources" includes, but is not limited to, financial assistance, training, and equipment provided to a school by a civic organization or association or any local funds a school board expends on establishing and maintaining a junior color guard program.

(b) Subject to the availability of local resources, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each public middle school, junior high school, and high school may establish a junior color guard program to promote the value of and honor military personnel. The junior color guard may be used at school events, including interscholastic athletic events and other events in which the presenting of the colors is requested. Each school may allow the junior color guard to participate in community events in which the presenting of the colors may be requested. Each school may work with a civic organization or association to provide adequate training to the members of the junior color guard on the execution of their duties.

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new)

Sec. 34-18.88. Junior color guard.

(a) In this Section:

"Civic organization or association" includes, but is not limited to, a local organization or association representing veterans or military personnel or any other civic-minded community group.

"Local resources" includes, but is not limited to, financial assistance, training, and equipment provided to a school by a civic organization or association or any local funds the board expends on establishing and maintaining a junior color guard program.

(b) Subject to the availability of local resources, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each public middle school, junior high school, and high school may establish a junior color guard program to promote the value of and honor military personnel. The junior color guard may be used at school events, including interscholastic athletic events and other events in which the presenting of the colors is requested. Each school may allow the junior color guard to participate in community events in which the presenting of the colors may be requested. Each school may work with a civic organization or association to provide adequate training to the members of the junior color guard on the execution of their duties.