Bill > HB4360

This bill establishes a school counselor stipend program, subject to available funding, to address a shortage of school counselors in Illinois. The program, administered by the Board of Higher Education (BHE), will provide stipends to eligible students enrolled in approved educator preparation programs who intend to become school counselors and are placed in internships. Additionally, stipends will be offered to eligible cooperating school counselors who mentor these interns. Educator preparation programs are required to identify and notify the BHE of qualifying students and counselors, and they cannot prevent students from participating or receiving stipends. Cooperating school counselors receiving a stipend must complete specific training developed by the State Board of Education. The BHE will also issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the program's impact, and is permitted to adopt emergency rules for its administration if necessary. The bill also makes corresponding changes to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to allow for emergency rulemaking related to this program.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4360&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104