HB2976
View on ILGASCH CD-STUDENT ABSENCE-PARENT
What this bill does
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Allows a child to be absent from a public school on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day to attend the ceremonial induction into office of the child's parent or legal guardian, anyone in the child's household, the child's grandparents, siblings, or a close friend of the child as a newly elected government official. Provides that the student and parent or legal guardian are responsible for obtaining assignments from the student's teacher prior to the period of excused absence and for ensuring that such assignments are completed by the student prior to the student's return to school from that period of excused absence.
Stuck
P(Advance)
Chance it ever
reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
Chance it becomes
law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Forecast
Low
P(law) at intro —
sponsor & topic only; no progress or delay.
Confidence: 67%
Calculating prediction drivers...
Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Crossed Chambers · Last action 528 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
Nicholas K. Smith
Low Influence (#78)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills they sponsor outperform predictions (positive pull)
Bills sponsored by Nicholas K. Smith advance 11% more often than the chamber average.
Campaign finance
This is SBE campaign receipts to the people on this bill, not Moneyball and not earmarked to the bill.
Money is campaign receipts to matched candidate committees, not earmarked to this bill. Window 2025-01-01 – 2026-09-13.
$414,114.51
Across sponsors / voters
2
Members with trails
2
Overlapping donors
Sponsor and voter funding
| Member | Role | Receipts | Total received | Top donors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas K. Smith | Chief sponsor | 96 | $267,339.98 | Carpenters Advancement PAC Fund ($72,800.00); LiUNA Political Action Committee ($72,800.00); Save Our Local Businesses Illinois PAC ($10,000.00) |
| Rachel Ventura | Sponsor | 90 | $146,774.53 | ISDF ($50,000.00); I.P.A.C.E ($15,000.00); West Suburban Teachers Union ($9,554.53) |
Overlapping donors
Donors who gave to more than one sponsor or voter on this bill. Still not earmarked to the bill.
| Donor | Members | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Associated Fire Fighters of IL PAC | Nicholas K. Smith, Rachel Ventura | $3,250.00 |
| Illinois Federation of Teachers COPE | Nicholas K. Smith, Rachel Ventura | $3,000.00 |
Top donors across these members
| Donor | Occupation | Employer | Receipts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiUNA Political Action Committee | — | — | 1 | $72,800.00 |
| Carpenters Advancement PAC Fund | — | — | 1 | $72,800.00 |
| ISDF | — | — | 1 | $50,000.00 |
| I.P.A.C.E | — | — | 2 | $15,000.00 |
| Save Our Local Businesses Illinois PAC | — | — | 1 | $10,000.00 |
| West Suburban Teachers Union | — | — | 4 | $9,554.53 |
| Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC | — | — | 2 | $9,000.00 |
| IBEW Illinois PAC | — | — | 4 | $7,000.00 |
| LIUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council Political Action Committee | — | — | 2 | $5,500.00 |
| Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management Pac | — | — | 4 | $5,500.00 |
| McDonald's Corporation | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Comcast Financial Agency Corporation | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman,LLC | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Hurley McKenna & Mertz P.C. | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Meyers & Flowers LLC | — | — | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Diane A. Oberhelman | Chairman | Cullinan Properties, LTD. | 1 | $5,000.00 |
| Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Polictical Action Committee | — | — | 4 | $4,000.00 |
| Teamsters Volunteers in Politics | — | — | 3 | $3,500.00 |
| SEIU Healthcare IL IN PAC | — | — | 2 | $3,500.00 |
| Associated Fire Fighters of IL PAC | — | — | 2 | $3,250.00 |
| Waste Management of Illinois | — | — | 1 | $3,189.94 |
| Friends of Kam Buckner | — | — | 1 | $3,000.00 |
| Ameren Illinois | — | — | 1 | $3,000.00 |
| Illinois Federation of Teachers COPE | — | — | 4 | $3,000.00 |
| AFSCME Illinois Council 31 | — | — | 1 | $3,000.00 |
Witness slips
2 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Hightower | Annette Hightower | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-03-12 | |
| Justin Mahwikizi | The American Institute Of Action | The American Institute Of Action | Proponent | Education Policy | 2025-03-12 |
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 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 75 | 36 | 0 | 7 | Passed | 39 | — |
Action History
26 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-04-30 — Referred toAssignments. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-06
Introduction & Filing
Filed with the Clerk byRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II House Rule 6(b)
Bill officially submitted to the House Clerk during the session.
2025-02-06
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.
2025-02-06
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.
2025-03-04
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.
2025-03-12
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.
2025-03-12
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.
2025-03-26
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-26
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[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.
2025-03-26
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.
2025-03-26
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.
2025-04-07
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toEducation Policy Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-08
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk byRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-08
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred toRules Committee
[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.
2025-04-08
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers toEducation Policy Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-09
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be AdoptedEducation Policy Committee; 013-000-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-09
Amendment Actions
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedEducation Policy Committee; 013-000-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-10
Cross-Chamber
Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Nicholas K. Smith Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Chief sponsor changed — may indicate leadership taking ownership or a strategic handoff.
2025-04-10
Amendment Actions
Positive
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-04-10
Amendment Actions
Positive
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
[Amendment] Bill or resolution adopted by the chamber.
2025-04-10
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.
2025-04-10
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed075-036-000 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.
2025-04-14
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-14
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 29, 2025 Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-30
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Rachel Ventura Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-30
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.
2025-04-30
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.
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-06 | House | Filed with the Clerk byRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II House Rule 6(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-06 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-06 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-04 | House | Assigned toEducation Policy Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-12 | 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 |
| 2025-03-12 | 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 |
| 2025-03-26 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-26 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-26 | 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 |
| 2025-03-26 | 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 | — |
| 2025-04-07 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toEducation Policy Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-08 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk byRep. Curtis J. Tarver, II | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-08 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-08 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers toEducation Policy Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-09 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be AdoptedEducation Policy Committee; 013-000-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-09 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be AdoptedEducation Policy Committee; 013-000-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Chief Sponsor Changed toRep. Nicholas K. Smith Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | — |
| 2025-04-10 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted | Amendment Actions | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-10 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed075-036-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-14 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 29, 2025 Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Rachel Ventura Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |