To address unnecessary and burdensome Illinois School Code mandates, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel collaborated with colleagues and multiple statewide education stakeholders to create a new law that eliminates outdated school code mandates in Illinois.

“As time changes, especially in education, it’s essential we adapt with those changes, leading me to work with my colleagues and education advocates on the process of revising our school code,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “With fewer mandates in the school code to worry about, this measure is about putting more control into our schools districts’ hands.”

This law initiates the reduction of unnecessary school code mandates agreed upon by statewide educational stakeholders. It also creates the School Code Mandate Reduction Council, comprised of eight members of the General Assembly and one member from each of the 12 statewide educational organizations, to identify and recommend the removal of mandates that align with the state's goal of providing high-quality education tailored to each student.

“Another major benefit to slightly revising or eliminating outdated mandates is that educators will see more time and resources as a result,” said Loughran Cappel. “We want to set both our school districts and educators up for success, and this law continues to show our support for education in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1740 was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.