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HB 2976

SCH CD-STUDENT ABSENCE-PARENT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Nick Smith and 1 co-sponsor

Expands excused absences to allow missing school for civic ceremonies and a one-day annual civic event, with make-up work requirements.

Referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · HB 2976

HB 2976 — Summary (SCH CD‑STUDENT ABSENCE‑PARENT)

Status: Referred to Assignments (Senate)
Introduced: February 18, 2025
Primary change: Amends Section 26‑1 of the Illinois School Code (Compulsory Attendance)

Purpose

HB 2976 expands the list of excused absences under the School Code to allow students to miss school to attend certain civic ceremonies and events — most notably the ceremonial induction into office of a newly elected government official who is a parent, guardian, household member, grandparent, sibling, or a close friend of the student. It also establishes a broader, one‑day excused absence for middle and high school students to engage in approved "civic events."

Key provisions

  • Amends 105 ILCS 5/26‑1 (Compulsory school age; exemptions).
  • Adds an excused absence specifically to permit a student to be absent to attend the ceremonial induction into office of a newly elected government official, when that official is:
    • the student's parent or legal guardian;
    • anyone in the student's household;
    • the student's grandparent(s) or sibling(s); or
    • a close friend of the student.
  • Requires the student and the parent/legal guardian to obtain the student's assignments from the teacher prior to the excused absence and to ensure the assignments are completed before the student's return to school.
  • Creates a separate subsection allowing any public middle or high school student one school‑day excused absence per school year to engage in a "civic event" (subject to State Board of Education guidelines).
    • The bill defines "civic event" as an event sponsored by a nonprofit organization or governmental entity open to the public and expressly includes inaugurations, artistic/cultural performances, and educational gatherings that support the sponsor’s mission. The State Board may further define the term.
    • School boards may require reasonable advance notice and documentation; rules/guidelines to be established.

Who is affected

  • Public school students (primarily middle and high school) and their families.
  • School districts and school administrators, who must process excused absence requests, enforce notice/documentation requirements, and accommodate make‑up work.
  • Teachers, in that they must provide assignments in advance of approved absences.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced in the House (Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II). House Floor Amendments 1 and 2 were filed and adopted. Chief House sponsor later changed to Rep. Nicholas K. Smith.
  • Passed the Illinois House on 2025‑04‑10 (vote: 75–36).
  • Transmitted to the Senate (arrived 2025‑04‑14); Chief Senate sponsor: Sen. Rachel Ventura.
  • First Senate reading and referred to Assignments (status as of latest actions).
  • Companion bill: SB 1484.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Schools will need processes to verify eligibility/documentation, record excused absences, and ensure timely make‑up of missed work.
  • The one‑day civic absence is limited to public middle/high school students and subject to guidelines; the bill does not create an open‑ended allowance for excused absences beyond these limits.
  • Fiscal impact is likely minimal (administrative/attendance tracking), though districts may need to update policies and communications.

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

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