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HB4354 • 2026
SCH CD-CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAM
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
SCH CD-CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAM
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Assigned to Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Dave Vella
SCH CD-CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAM
Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB4354 Select Language × The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience. In no way should it be considered accurate as to the translation of any content herein. Visitors of the Illinois General Assembly website are encouraged to use other translation services available on the internet. The English language version is always the official and authoritative version of this website. NOTE: To return to the original English language version, select the "Show Original" button on the Google Translate™ menu bar at the top of the window. 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Full Text of HB4354 Home Legislation Full Text HB4354 - 104th General Assembly Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Select Menu Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Printer Friendly Version Introduced Printer Friendly Version Introduced Open PDF 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB4354 Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Dave Vella SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.214 new Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a program to strengthen this State's workforce by creating structured pipelines from public high schools into in-demand careers through public-private partnerships with employers, public community colleges, and school districts. Under the program, provides that the school board of each school district maintaining a high school shall allow the high school to partner with local employers and the community college district where the high school is located to establish a pathway program for careers in priority sectors. Requires the State Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to jointly approve the pathway program prior to implementation and maintain a registry of participating high schools and employers. Sets forth pathway program requirements. Provides that an employer participating in a pathway program that provides a qualifying paid internship or apprenticeship pathway shall receive from the State Board a $1,000 grant per student holding the internship or apprenticeship, not exceed $50,000 per year. Provides that at least 25% of any funds appropriated for implementation must be used to support pathway programs in high schools in high-poverty or rural school districts. LRB104 16854 LNS 30264 b STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY A BILL FOR HB4354 LRB104 16854 LNS 30264 b 1 AN ACT concerning education. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 5 2-3.214 as follows: 6 (105 ILCS 5/2-3.214 new) 7 Sec. 2-3.214. Pathway program for careers in priority 8 sectors. 9 (a) The State Board of Education shall establish and 10 administer a program to strengthen this State's workforce by 11 creating structured pipelines from public high schools into 12 in-demand careers through public-private partnerships with 13 employers, public community colleges, and school districts. 14 Under the program, the school board of each school district 15 maintaining a high school shall allow the high school to 16 partner with local employers and the community college 17 district where the high school is located to establish a 18 pathway program for careers in priority sectors. The State 19 Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity 20 shall jointly approve the pathway program prior to 21 implementation of the pathway program and maintain a registry 22 of participating high schools and employers. 23 (b) A pathway program established under this Section must HB4354 - 2 - LRB104 16854 LNS 30264 b 1 include the following pathways: 2 (1) a paid internship or apprenticeship in a priority 3 sector; 4 (2) dual credit coursework aligned to an industry 5 certification in a priority sector; or 6 (3) a job shadowing or mentorship opportunity in a 7 priority sector. 8 (c) An employer participating in a pathway program 9 established under this Section that provides a qualifying paid 10 internship or apprenticeship under paragraph (1) of subsection 11 (b) shall receive from the State Board a $1,000 grant per 12 student holding the internship or apprenticeship; however, the 13 grant may not exceed $50,000 per year. 14 (d) At least 25% of any funds appropriated to implement 15 this Section must be used to support pathway programs in high 16 schools in high-poverty or rural school districts. 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