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HB 3165

Relating to state moneys for school districts impacted by wildfires; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dick Anderson and 5 co-sponsors

Expands remote-meeting authority during public-health emergencies, requires roll-call votes, and lets Chicago local school councils choose annual meeting format while deferring to

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3165

HB 3165 — Summary (Introduced Feb 18–21, 2025)

Short title / purpose
Amends the Open Meetings Act and provisions of the Chicago School District Article of the School Code to (1) expand and clarify when public-body members — especially Chicago local school councils — may attend meetings remotely (including meetings without a physically present quorum) during certain public-health disaster conditions, and (2) change some duties and procedures for Chicago local school councils. The bill is effective immediately (declares an emergency).

Key statutory changes

  • Amends Section 7 of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/7):
    • Clarifies/expands reasons a member may attend by “other means” (audio/video), including illness, disability, employment, unexpected childcare obligations, other emergencies.
    • Permits an open or closed meeting to be conducted entirely by audio/video conference — without a physical quorum present — when all of these conditions are met:
    • A Governor or Director of Public Health disaster declaration (per Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act) covers all or part of the public body’s jurisdiction and relates to public health.
    • The public health authority determines an in-person meeting is not feasible/prudent.
    • Members participating remotely are verified and can hear and be heard; public access at the regular meeting location is provided (or alternative arrangements and notice are given, e.g., telephone/web link).
    • At least one member, chief legal counsel, or chief administrative officer is physically present at the regular location unless infeasible due to the disaster declaration.
    • All votes are by roll call so each member’s vote is recorded.
    • 48 hours’ notice is required except for bona fide emergencies (limits on notice and verbatim recording apply for emergency meetings).
  • Amends Chicago School District Article of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/34‑2.2, 34‑2.3, 34‑8.3):
    • Requires each local school council (LSC) at its annual organizational meeting to vote whether future meetings are held in-person or remotely; however, a Governor or Public Health Director declaration limiting or prohibiting in-person meetings supersedes a council vote.
    • Grants LSCs explicit power/duty to pass resolutions requesting action by the Chicago Board of Education member who represents the school and to forward such resolutions.
    • Removes language that triggered new LSC elections when a school on probation failed to make adequate progress.
    • Moves the deadline for delivering criteria about probation/educational crisis to LSCs from October 31 to August 1 each year.

Who is affected

  • Chicago local school councils and their members
  • Members of the Chicago Board of Education (as recipients of council resolutions)
  • Public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act (procedural standards for remote meetings)
  • Members of the public who attend/observe school-council or other public-body meetings

Procedural status & sponsors

  • Introduced Feb 18–21, 2025 by Rep. Theresa Mah (primary); co‑sponsors Rep. Michael Crawford and Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.
  • Readings and referrals throughout Feb–Mar 2025; assigned to committees; referred directly to subcommittee Apr 8, 2025.
  • As of 2025-06-28: In committee upon adjournment.

Practical impact

  • Expands and clarifies remote-meeting authority during public-health emergencies while preserving roll-call voting and public-access obligations.
  • Gives Chicago LSCs a formal option to choose remote vs. in-person meetings annually, but defers to statewide public-health emergency directives.
  • Shifts some governance procedures for struggling schools (removes automatic election trigger) and provides earlier delivery of probation/crisis criteria to councils.

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

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