Bill > HB5321

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, amends the School Code to establish new requirements for how school districts, special education cooperatives, and other public educational employers can recognize continuing education coursework for teacher salary increases or "salary lane changes" (which means getting a pay raise by earning more academic credits). Specifically, starting on or after July 1, 2026, any graduate-level continuing education coursework used for salary advancement must be offered by a regionally accredited institution, appear on an official transcript, and result in a letter grade (not just pass/fail). Furthermore, the coursework must have an "instructor of record" who is a credentialed educator with a master's degree or higher, academically qualified to teach the course, experienced in the subject matter, provides ongoing instructional support, and gives individualized written feedback on student work. The bill clarifies that these new rules do not prevent collective bargaining agreements from negotiating salary schedules, as long as any continuing education coursework used for salary advancement adheres to these specified requirements, and allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Higher Education, to create necessary rules to implement these changes.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=5321&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104