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HB 480

EDUCATION-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

Illinois bill HB 480 modernizes K-12 education technology policies, advancing through committee review with extended deadlines but facing unspecified implementation and equity concerns.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 480

Legislative bill overview

HB 480 is an Illinois education technology bill sponsored by Chris Welch that appears designed to modernize or regulate technology use in educational settings. The bill has progressed through committee review with a "Do Pass" recommendation but remains in the rules committee process as of May 2025, with deadlines extended multiple times.

Why is this important

Education technology policies directly affect how students learn, what tools teachers can use, and how schools allocate limited budgets. These decisions impact educational equity, student outcomes, and can influence vendor relationships with school districts worth millions of dollars.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and specificity: Without the bill's full text, the exact technological mandates or restrictions remain unclear—whether this requires new investments, restricts certain platforms, or changes curriculum delivery
  • Cost and implementation: Technology initiatives often require significant funding for hardware, software licensing, and teacher training; the bill's fiscal impact and who bears these costs is contested territory
  • Digital equity and access: Policies affecting tech in education raise questions about whether all students have equal access and whether this widens or closes achievement gaps

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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