SB1555
View on ILGASCH CD-SPEC ED ADVIS COUNCIL
What this bill does
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Adds the Secretary of Early Childhood or his or her designee as a member of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities. Provides that the Council shall establish a committee charged with ensuring that all children aged 3 to 5 with disabilities have access to high-quality, inclusive, early-childhood services, provided in the least restrictive environment, across all early learning settings. Effective immediately.
PASSED INTO LAW
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Signed into Law · Last action 251 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
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Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
Meg Loughran Cappel
Moderate Influence (#11)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills sponsored by Meg Loughran Cappel advance 5% more often than the chamber average.
Public Engagement
48 witness slips filed
48 proponents / 0 opponents
13 organizations
Witness slips
48 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashly Tuck | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Cordelia Loots-Gollin | None | Self | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| David Schwartz | Self | Self | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Emily Gennaro | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Jelani Saadiq | Advance Illinois | Advance Illinois | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Melanie Loots | Retired | SELF | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Melissa Maldonado | Start Early | Start Early | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Michael Kim | Illinois Action for Children | Illinois Action for Children | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Michelle Tortorello | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Rosario Hernandez | Latino Policy Forum | Latino Policy Forum | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Sarah Mongoven | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 | |
| Sean Noble | Civic Leaders for Illinois Children | Civic Leaders for Illinois Children | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Shannon Miller Bellini | SMB Consulting | Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Shannon Silberman | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Unique Mickens | Illinois Education Association | IEA | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-04-23 |
| Abby Schmeling | Chamber of Mothers | Self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Alexa Tannous | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Ashley Bernick | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Cynthia Layman | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| David Schwartz | Self | Self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Emily Gennaro | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Emily Hull-Martin | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Erin Horetski | Chamber of Mothers | SELF | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Jessica Jae Feldt | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Josephine Wikelski | Chamber of Mothers | Self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Kaitlin Geoffroy | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Kate Melvin | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| L'Oreal Payton | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Lauren Mlot | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Lauren Palmisano | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Megan Zidek | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Melissa Maldonado | Start Early | Start Early | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Michael Proper | self | self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Michelle Arch | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Michelle Dieschbourg | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Michelle Tortorello | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Michelle Valiukenas | Chamber of Mothers | Self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Michelle Zurita-Sharpe | Education | Self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Serena M Conrad | Chamber of Mothers | Chamber of Mothers | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Shannon Miller Bellini | SMB Consulting | Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Shianne Shively | Illinois Education Association | Illinois Education Association | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-25 |
| Amy Zimmerman | Jewish United Fund - Jewish Federation of Chicago | Jewish United Fund - Jewish Federation of Chicago | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
| David Schwartz | Self | Self | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
| Erika Mendez | Latino Policy Forum | Latino Policy Forum | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
| Melissa Maldonado | Start Early | Start Early | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
| Sally Puleo | Civic Leaders for Illinois Children | Civic Leaders for Illinois Children | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
| Shannon Miller Bellini | SMB Consulting | Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
| Shianne Shively | Illinois Education Association | Illinois Education Association | Proponent | Education | 2025-02-18 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | Education Policy | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 12 | — | |
| 2025-05-23 | H | Floor | Third Reading | 108 | 0 | 0 | 10 | Passed | 108 | — |
| S | Committee | Education | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Passed | 14 | — | |
| S | Floor | Third Reading | 55 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Passed | 55 | — |
Action History
31 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-08-01 — Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0109. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-04
Introduction & Filing
Filed with Secretary bySen. Meg Loughran Cappel Rule 2-7(b)
Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-02-04
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-04
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-02-11
Committee Assignment
Assigned toEducation Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-02-19
Committee Action
Postponed -Education Senate Rule 3-11; House Rule 22
Committee hearing postponed. Routine procedural action — does NOT mean the bill is dead. Sponsor may be gathering votes or negotiating amendments.
2025-02-21
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. Meg Loughran Cappel
[Amendment] Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-02-21
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-02-25
Amendment Actions
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toEducation
[Amendment] Senate Assignments Committee forwards the bill to a substantive committee.
2025-02-25
Amendment Actions
Positive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-02-26
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass as AmendedEducation; 014-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-02-26
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 27, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-03-05
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage. Floor amendments can be offered here.
2025-03-05
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 6, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-03
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Passed;055-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-04-03
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Lakesia Collins Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-04
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate bill arrives in the House after passing the Senate.
2025-04-08
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief House SponsorRep. Maura Hirschauer Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House sponsor assigned for a Senate bill — bill is being actively managed in the second chamber.
2025-04-09
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-09
Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-17
Committee Assignment
Assigned toEducation Policy Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-04-23
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateEducation Policy Committee; 012-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b)
Committee recommends passage and places it on the Short Debate calendar (limited floor discussion time). Strong positive signal — committee believes bill has broad support.
2025-04-23
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-05-16
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-05-16
Floor Process
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill was ready for Second Reading but was paused/held by the sponsor. Usually indicates the sponsor is still negotiating amendments or gathering votes. NOT a negative signal — the sponsor controls the pace.
2025-05-23
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-23
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed108-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-05-23
Concurrence
Positive
Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4
Bill PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS. Major milestone — bill goes to the Governor next.
2025-06-20
Governor Action
Positive
Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
Bill transmitted to the Governor for signature. Strong positive — bill has passed both chambers.
2025-08-01
Governor Action
Positive
Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. Bill is now law (pending effective date).
2025-08-01
Enacted Into Law
Law
Effective Date August 1, 2025 Article IX
Law's effective date announced. Most IL laws take effect January 1 of the next year unless otherwise specified.
2025-08-01
Enacted Into Law
Law
Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0109 Article IX
Bill signed into law — assigned a Public Act number (e.g., PA 104-0032).
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Filed with Secretary bySen. Meg Loughran Cappel Rule 2-7(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-02-11 | Senate | Assigned toEducation Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-02-19 | Senate | Postponed -Education Senate Rule 3-11; House Rule 22 | Committee Action | — |
| 2025-02-21 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. Meg Loughran Cappel | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-02-21 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-02-25 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toEducation | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-02-25 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-02-26 | Senate | Do Pass as AmendedEducation; 014-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-02-26 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 27, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-05 | Senate | Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-05 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 6, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-03 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed;055-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-03 | Senate | Added as Co-SponsorSen. Lakesia Collins Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-04 | House | Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Chief House SponsorRep. Maura Hirschauer Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-09 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-17 | House | Assigned toEducation Policy Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-23 | House | Do Pass / Short DebateEducation Policy Committee; 012-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-04-23 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-16 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-16 | House | Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | — |
| 2025-05-23 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-23 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed108-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-05-23 | Senate | Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4 | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-06-20 | Senate | Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-01 | Senate | Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-01 | Senate | Effective Date August 1, 2025 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |
| 2025-08-01 | Senate | Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0109 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |