Summary of SB4139 (104th Illinois General Assembly)
Bill: SB4139 | Session: 104th | Jurisdiction: Illinois | Title: FY27 ISBE OCE
Introduced: February 25, 2026 | Sponsor: Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Purpose
- SB4139 is an appropriations bill authorizing the ordinary and contingent expenses for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for fiscal year 2026 (beginning July 1, 2026) and detailing multiple specialized funding streams and programs administered by ISBE. The bill consolidates general, federal, and dedicated funds to support ISBE operations, evidence-based funding, and a broad array of programs affecting students, schools, and educators.
Key Provisions and Funding Highlights
- ISBE Operational Expenses:
- General Revenue Fund appropriation to ISBE: $30,790,000 for ISBE operations for FY2026 (Section 5).
Evidence-Based Funding (as provided in Section 18-8.15 of the School Code):
- Total appropriated for Evidence-Based Funding: $9,241,239,000.
- Sources include: Education Assistance Fund, Common School Fund, General Revenue Fund, and Fund for the Advancement of Education (specific line items listed in Sections 10–12).
Targeted ISBE Expenditures (strictly for specified purposes, not general operations) (Section 15):
- Numerous line-item grants and reimbursements, including:
- Learning Ally (Blind/Dyslexic services): $846,000
- Disabled Student Transportation Reimbursement: $487,366,100
- Disabled Student Tuition (public and private): $222,732,400
- District Consolidation Costs / Supplemental Payments to Districts: $408,000
- Autism Training & Technical Assistance (ISU): $100,000
- Philip J. Rock Center and School: $5,000,000
- Free Breakfast/Lunch Reimbursement: $9,000,000
- Tax-Equivalent Grants (School Code 18-4.4): $393,500
- Regular Education Reimbursement (prior costs included): $15,668,300
- Special Education Reimbursement (prior costs included): $132,733,200
- Alternative Education / Regional Safe Schools: $20,000,000
- Truants’ Alternative and Optional Education Program: $11,500,000
- Teach for America Program: $2,000,000
- Career and Technical Education: $59,300,000
- National Board Resource Center (for National Board-Certified Teachers): $2,500,000
- Transportation Reimbursement (Regular/Vocational Common School): $352,000,000
- Other specific grants (various programs listed in the section).
Agriculture Education Programs (Section 20):
- General Revenue Fund: Agriculture Education Programs: $6,005,000
- Regional Office of Education support and work-based learning: $1,650,000
- Growing Agriculture Science Teachers: $150,000 total from several universities and community colleges (SIU, UIUC, ISU, WIU, and several community colleges).
Additional ISBE Programs and Grants (Sections 25–70):
- Technology, AP classes, principal recruitment, after-school programs, after-school matters, and community-facing programs (total listed as $52,723,800 for various initiatives).
- Stateside student assessments, reporting and recognition programs (Illinois Blue Ribbon Schools Program): $40,000,000.
- Educator misconduct hearings and investigations: $615,100.
- Educator licensure refunds and related costs: $500,000.
- Computer Science Equity Program: $1,500,000.
- Imagination Library of Illinois grant program: $2,347,000 deposited into dedicated fund.
- Teacher Vacancy Pilot Program grants, contracts, and admin expenses: $15,000,000.
- Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and Numeracy Plan implementation: $1,500,000.
- Alternative low-income population count development for Evidence-Based Funding (Public Law 119-21): $200,000.
- Social-Emotional Learning Hubs and resilience education initiatives: $3,500,000, with specific distribution including Lurie Children’s Hospital for resilience education and various ROEs and districts.
- Title II (teacher/leader support and professional development): $160,000,000 (plus related grants to professional organizations and networks).
- IDEA/Disabilities programs and related support: substantial funding totaling $980,000,000 (includes IDEA grants and several related initiatives such as autism, assistive technology, and service resource centers).
- Title IV safety and family services (Title IV at approximately $300,000,000, with targeted allocations to ACT Now and other programs): included within the federal funds portion.
- Title II and mental health-related federal programs (Title II at about $160M; Mental Health Demonstration grants across multiple universities and institutions).
- Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles grant program administration: $20,000,000.
- Other designated trust funds and revolving loan funds (e.g., Special Purpose Trust Fund, Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund, School District Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, School Technology Revolving Loan Fund): numerous line-item allocations totaling tens of millions.
Other Funds and Federal Grants (Articles 2 and 3):
- Various transfers from trust funds and federal accounts to ISBE for ordinary/contingent expenses, grants, and program-specific needs (e.g., Special Purpose Trust Fund, Teacher Certificate Institute Fund, After-School Rescue Fund, Temporary Relocation Expenses Revolving Grant Fund, Charter School Department support, School Technology Loans).
- Child Nutrition, Title I, Title III, Title V, Title X, IDEA-related grants, and other U.S. Department of Education grants allocated through ISBE (section 20 through 50 under Article 3).
Effective Date
- SB4139 is set to take effect on July 1, 2026 (Section 999).
Total Funding Snapshot (as introduced)
- General Funds (General Revenue): $10,720,733,500
- Other State Funds: $93,575,900
- Federal Funds: $4,398,349,500
- Total: $15,212,658,900
Who/What Would Be Affected
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) operations and a wide range of education-related programs affecting:
- Students (free/reduced lunch, transportation, special education, special programs)
- Teachers and administrators (teacher licensure, professional development, principal leadership, recruitment)
- Districts and regional offices (district consolidation, regional services, transportation reimbursements)
- Specific institutions (universities and centers receiving grants for autism, mental health, literacy, and technology initiatives)
- Early childhood and family-oriented programs (imagination/library initiatives, after-school programs)
- Safety and health programs (STOP School Violence, mental health supports, trauma-informed services)
- Innovation and readiness initiatives (technology, e-learning, literacy, numeracy, and CS equity)
Procedural and Timeline Notes
- The bill was introduced February 25, 2026, and references a July 1, 2026 start for fiscal year 2026 appropriations.
- It consolidates multiple targeted appropriations across General Revenue, Other State Funds, Federal Funds, and dedicated trust funds.
- Effective date: July 1, 2026.
Bottom Line
- SB4139 is a comprehensive appropriation package for ISBE FY2026, detailing operational funding, extensive evidence-based and targeted program funding, and multiple federal and state fund allocations designed to support a broad spectrum of K-12 education, educator development, student services, special education, nutrition, literacy, mental health, safety, and technology initiatives. The bill lays out specific dollar amounts for a wide range of programs and sets the stage for ISBE to administer these funds beginning July 1, 2026.
