Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB3008

LRB104 09369 LNS 19428 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3008

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Jed Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new
105 ILCS 5/2-3.206 new

Amends the School Code. Authorizes the State Board of Education to administer the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program. Requires the State Board to create a list of preapproved items which may be purchased using funds loaded onto a Classroom Supply Assistance Card (CSAC). Provides that at the beginning of each school quarter starting during the 2027-2028 school year, the State Board shall distribute funds from the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program Fund to teachers throughout the State. Provides that funds for the Program shall be distributed according to a needs-based formula taking into account school district funding, district poverty rates and Title 1 status, per-pupil spending disparities, student performance metrics, and teacher-to-student ratios. Provides that purchases made with a CSAC shall be tracked electronically and monitored to ensure compliance with the list of approved supplies. Provides that teachers shall have access to an online portal to manage funds, review balances, and track purchases. Provides that annual audits shall be conducted to maintain transparency and prevent misuse. Requires the State Board to launch a pilot program in high-needs districts for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years to test the funding model and distribution process. Requires the State Board to annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the status of the Program and any problems that arose with its implementation in the preceding calendar year. Creates the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Fund. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

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 State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.1030 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new)

Sec. 5.1030. The Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Fund.

Section 10. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.206 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.206 new)

Sec. 2-3.206. Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program.

(a) To support Illinois teachers and improve student outcomes, the State Board of Education is authorized to administer the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program.

(b) As used in this Section, "necessary classroom materials" means: basic classroom materials, such as paper, pencils, and art supplies; educational tools, such as manipulatives, learning aids, and technology accessories; and organizational items, such as storage, bulletin boards, and cleaning supplies. "Necessary classroom materials" does not include personal electronics, clothing, and noneducational goods.

(c) The State Board of Education shall create a list of preapproved items which may be purchased using funds loaded onto a Classroom Supply Assistance Card.

(d) Subject to appropriation, at the beginning of each school quarter starting during the 2027-2028 school year, the State Board of Education shall distribute funds from the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program Fund to teachers throughout the State via State-issued Classroom Supply Assistance Cards (CSAC) giving teachers flexibility to purchase necessary classroom materials throughout that quarter.

(e) Funds for the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program shall be distributed according to a needs-based formula taking into account school district funding, district poverty rates and Title 1 status, per-pupil spending disparities, student performance metrics, and teacher-to-student ratios, as determined by the State Board of Education. Additional quarterly funding shall be made available to teachers in special education, STEM, and arts classrooms, reflecting the higher material cost of these programs.

(f) The State Board of Education shall collaborate with major office and educational supply retailers, as well as participating local businesses to streamline purchasing.

(g) Purchases made with a CSAC shall be tracked electronically and monitored to ensure compliance with the list of approved supplies. Teachers shall have access to an online portal to manage funds, review balances, and track purchases. Annual audits shall be conducted to maintain transparency and prevent misuse.

(h) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall launch a pilot program in high-needs districts for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years to test the funding model and distribution process. The State Board of Education shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the status of the Program and any problems that arose with its implementation in the preceding calendar year. Adjustments shall be made based on the pilot's feedback and results.

(i) The Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury for the purpose of funding the Illinois Classroom Supply Assistance Program.