HB2966Introduced in the House
SCH CD-CONSOLIDATION ANALYSIS
Introduced by Tracy Katz Muhl, District 57
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Amends the School Code. Authorizes the State Board of Education to award grants to school districts in the State for the purpose of incentivizing those districts to conduct reorganization feasibility studies. Provides that, to be eligible for a grant under these provisions, the board of the school district that is applying for the grant shall (i) negotiate a proposed agreement to secure the services of a third-party consultant who will conduct the reorganization feasibility study; (ii) adopt a resolution that is signed by the board president of the district and calls for the initiation of a school district reorganization feasibility study in accordance with the terms of the proposed agreement and any rules adopted by the State Board of Education; and (iii) submit the completed agreement form, the signed board resolution, and such other information as the State Board of Education may, by administrative rule, require, to the regional office of education or the executive director of the intermediate service center for the district for approval. Provides that, upon receipt of a complete application from a district, the regional office of education or the executive director of the intermediate service center shall either (i) approve the agreement and send the agreement to the State Board of Education or (ii) disapprove the agreement and return the agreement to the district with a letter of explanation. Authorizes the State Board of Education to award grants under these provisions to districts for which it receives an approved agreement. Requires the State Board of Education to annually notify each school district in the State of the availability of grant funds and to provide with that notice specified information. Provides that, every 2 years, each board that receives a notice may include the question of whether to pursue this grant funding as an action item on the agenda at one of its meetings. Authorizes the State Board of Education to provide a school district up to the maximum reimbursement amount set by the State Board of Education, for the purpose of covering all or part of the costs borne by the school district to conduct a reorganization feasibility study. Directs the State Board of Education, in awarding these grants, to prioritize districts that are contiguous with one another, districts that have similar property tax rates, districts with similar per-pupil adequacy funding, and, beginning in State fiscal year 2030, other districts that have been identified as priority districts by the State Board of Education pursuant to rules it adopts. Prohibits a school district from being awarded a grant under these provisions in any 2 consecutive award cycles. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules it deems necessary to implement and administer this program of grant funding, including, but not limited to, rules establishing the criteria that must be met by the third-party consultants who will perform the feasibility studies, rules describing minimum criteria to be included in agreements executed with the third-party consultants who will perform the feasibility studies described in this Section, and, beginning in State fiscal year 2030, rules identifying additional types of school districts to be prioritized for grant funding under these provisions. Directs the State Board of Education, in State fiscal year 2035, and every 5 years thereafter, to reevaluate and, if necessary, amend the rules identifying additional types of school districts to be prioritized for grant funding. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Where it stands
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0257
August 15, 2025
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Motion in Senate · May 22, 2025
58
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
59 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Javier Cervantes | 1 | Yes |
| Omar Aquino | 2 | Yes |
| Mattie Hunter | 3 | Yes |
| Kimberly Lightford | 4 | Yes |
| Lakesia Collins | 5 | Yes |
| Sara Feigenholtz | 6 | Yes |
| Mike Simmons | 7 | Yes |
| Ram Villivalam | 8 | Yes |
| Laura Fine | 9 | Yes |
| Robert Martwick | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
House Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
House Committee Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
House Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted in Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; by Voice Vote
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 009-000-000
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
Second Reading - Short Debate
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joe C. Sosnowski
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jeff Keicher
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Travis Weaver
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Bradley Fritts
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Thaddeus Jones
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 114-000-000
Arrive in Senate
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading
Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
Assigned to Education
Do Pass Education; 014-000-000
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025
Second Reading
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000
Passed Both Houses
Sent to the Governor
Governor Approved
Effective Date August 15, 2025
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0257
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