summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district, other than the Chicago school district, shall employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain a student-counselor ratio of 150 to 1 (rather than allowing the school district to employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain the national and State recommended student-counselor ratio of 250 to 1). Requires the Chicago Board of Education to employ a sufficient number of licensed school counselors to maintain a student-counselor ratio of 100 to 1 (rather than encouraging the board to employ a sufficient number of licensed school counselors to maintain a student/counselor ratio of 250 to 1).
AI Summary
This bill amends the School Code to increase the number of school counselors required in public schools. For school districts outside of Chicago, the bill mandates a student-to-counselor ratio of 150 to 1, replacing the previous recommendation of 250 to 1. For the Chicago school district, the bill requires the Chicago Board of Education to employ enough licensed school counselors to achieve a student-to-counselor ratio of 100 to 1, a significant increase from the previous encouragement of a 250 to 1 ratio. Additionally, the bill specifies that school counselors in Chicago must spend at least 75% of their work time in direct contact with students and maintain records of this time.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee Hearing (14:00:00 2/25/2026 Room 115) (on 02/25/2026)
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