SPRINGFIELD — Parents and teachers will have a stronger voice in shaping school policies under a new law championed by State Senator Willie Preston and signed by Governor JB Pritzker.
“Strong schools are built on trust, communication and shared responsibility,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This law ensures that parents and educators have a meaningful role in conversations that affect their schools, while also helping create safer learning environments for students and staff. When the people closest to our children have a seat at the table, our schools are better positioned to succeed.”
The new law clarifies the composition of existing parent-teacher advisory committees and how educators are selected to serve on them, creating a more transparent and representative framework for collaboration between parents, teachers and school administrators.
The law also requires an annual review of student discipline policies and their impact on school personnel, while directing school districts to establish procedures for responding to incidents of battery against educators. The changes are intended to strengthen school safety, support teacher retention and ensure discipline policies are effective in practice.
“Our educators deserve to feel safe, respected and supported when they come to work each day,” Preston said. “By bringing parents, teachers and school leaders together and taking a closer look at how discipline policies are working, we’re making schools stronger for everyone. This law is about creating an environment where students can learn and educators can thrive.”
Senate Bill 2918 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1.
