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HB 3114

Relating to the Chewaucan River watershed; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Helm and 1 co-sponsor

A temporary commission will study and recommend consolidating multiple districts into unit districts to reduce the overall number of districts where beneficial.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3114

Summary — HB 3114 (Classrooms First Act)

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 6/20/2025); Effective 9/1/2025
Statute created: 105 ILCS 5/11E-140 — "Efficient School District Commission"
Companion bill: SB 2076
Primary sponsor: Rep. Blaine Wilhour

Purpose

HB 3114 creates a time‑limited, statewide commission to study and recommend where reorganization and realignment of school districts into unit districts would be beneficial, with the broader objective of reducing the statewide number of school districts where appropriate. The commission’s recommendations are to be delivered to the Governor, the General Assembly and the electorate.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Efficient School District Commission (Commission) within the School Code.
  • Membership: a mix of gubernatorial and legislative appointees plus representatives of K–12 stakeholder groups — including (but not limited to) appointees by the Governor, State Board of Education, legislative leaders, major teachers’ organizations, school boards, principals, business officials, regional superintendents, a special education parent organization, and parent/teacher/administrator representatives drawn from State Board regional areas. (Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel from State Board appropriations.)
  • Administrative support: the State Board of Education must provide administrative and staff support.
  • Meetings and public input: initial meeting required within 90 days after the Act’s effective date; the Commission must hold public hearings across the State with at least one hearing in each of the 9 non‑Chicago regional fiscal agent areas.
  • Scope of recommendations: the Commission must analyze district needs and conditions and draft specific recommendations to reduce the number of districts by reorganizing districts into unit districts where beneficial. (The bill text also directs consideration of matters such as division of funds/assets/liabilities, educational and fiscal impacts — see statute for full detail.)
  • Decision and reporting deadline: on or before May 1, 2027, the Commission must vote on and file its recommendations with the Governor and the General Assembly. If at least 13 Commission members affirmatively adopt specific reorganization recommendations, those recommendations must be filed with the appropriate regional superintendent of schools; the bill sets duties for regional superintendents and the State Superintendent in response.
  • Sunset: the statutory provisions creating the Commission repeal January 31, 2028.

Timeline and process highlights

  • Filed: Feb 2025; passed both chambers in May 2025; enrolled and sent to Governor; signed 6/20/2025.
  • Effective date: September 1, 2025.
  • Operational deadlines: initial meeting within 90 days after 9/1/2025; final vote/report due by May 1, 2027; statute repealed 1/31/2028.

Potential impacts

  • Could lead to consolidation of districts into unit districts in areas the Commission identifies as efficient or beneficial, affecting local governance (school boards), staffing, district finances, tax levies, student assignment, facilities, and local community control.
  • State and regional education offices will have procedural responsibilities to review and act on adopted recommendations.
  • Because the Commission is temporary, any proposed structural changes would require further statutory, local board, or voter action to implement.

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

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