SCH CD-SUSPENSION/EXPULSION

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2876

Introduced 1/16/2026, by Sen. Terri Bryant

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-22.6

from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.6

Amends the School Code. With respect to the suspension or expulsion of
a student, requires all evidence, including, but not limited to, video
evidence and written materials, held by a school district that has led to
the decision to suspend or expel the student to be given to the student's
parents or guardians before a suspension or expulsion hearing. Effective
immediately.
LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

SB2876
LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 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 changing Section
5
10-22.6 as follows:

6

(105 ILCS 5/10-22.6)

(from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.6)
7

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 102-466
)
8

Sec. 10-22.6.
Suspension or expulsion of students; school
9
searches.
10

(a) To expel students guilty of gross disobedience or
11
misconduct, including gross disobedience or misconduct
12
perpetuated by electronic means, pursuant to subsection (b-20)
13
of this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such
14
expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after the parents
15
have been requested to appear at a meeting of the board, or
16
with a hearing officer appointed by it, to discuss their
17
child's behavior. Such request shall be made by registered or
18
certified mail and shall state the time, place and purpose of
19
the meeting. The board, or a hearing officer appointed by it,
20
at such meeting shall state the reasons for dismissal and the
21
date on which the expulsion is to become effective. If a
22
hearing officer is appointed by the board, the hearing officer
23
shall report to the board a written summary of the evidence

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
heard at the meeting and the board may take such action thereon
2
as it finds appropriate. If the board acts to expel a student,
3
the written expulsion decision shall detail the specific
4
reasons why removing the student from the learning environment
5
is in the best interest of the school. The expulsion decision
6
shall also include a rationale as to the specific duration of
7
the expulsion. An expelled student may be immediately
8
transferred to an alternative program in the manner provided
9
in Article 13A or 13B of this Code. A student must not be
10
denied transfer because of the expulsion, except in cases in
11
which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety
12
of students or staff in the alternative program.
13

(b) To suspend or by policy to authorize the
14
superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
15
principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend
16
students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct, or to
17
suspend students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct on
18
the school bus from riding the school bus, pursuant to
19
subsections (b-15) and (b-20) of this Section, and no action
20
shall lie against them for such suspension. The board may by
21
policy authorize the superintendent of the district or the
22
principal, assistant principal, or dean of students of any
23
school to suspend students guilty of such acts for a period not
24
to exceed 10 school days. If a student is suspended due to
25
gross disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, the board
26
may suspend the student in excess of 10 school days for safety

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
reasons.
2

Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the
3
parents or guardian of a student along with a full statement of
4
the reasons for such suspension and a notice of their right to
5
a review. The school board must be given a summary of the
6
notice, including the reason for the suspension and the
7
suspension length. Upon request of the parents or guardian,
8
the school board or a hearing officer appointed by it shall
9
review such action of the superintendent or principal,
10
assistant principal, or dean of students. At such review, the
11
parents or guardian of the student may appear and discuss the
12
suspension with the board or its hearing officer. If a hearing
13
officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to the board
14
a written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting. After
15
its hearing or upon receipt of the written report of its
16
hearing officer, the board may take such action as it finds
17
appropriate. If a student is suspended pursuant to this
18
subsection (b), the board shall, in the written suspension
19
decision, detail the specific act of gross disobedience or
20
misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend. The
21
suspension decision shall also include a rationale as to the
22
specific duration of the suspension.
23

(b-5) Among the many possible disciplinary interventions
24
and consequences available to school officials, school
25
exclusions, such as out-of-school suspensions and expulsions,
26
are the most serious. School officials shall limit the number

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
and duration of expulsions and suspensions to the greatest
2
extent practicable, and it is recommended that they use them
3
only for legitimate educational purposes. To ensure that
4
students are not excluded from school unnecessarily, it is
5
recommended that school officials consider forms of
6
non-exclusionary discipline prior to using out-of-school
7
suspensions or expulsions.
8

(b-10) Unless otherwise required by federal law or this
9
Code, school boards may not institute zero-tolerance policies
10
by which school administrators are required to suspend or
11
expel students for particular behaviors.
12

(b-15) Out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less may be
13
used only if the student's continuing presence in school would
14
pose a threat to school safety or a disruption to other
15
students' learning opportunities. For purposes of this
16
subsection (b-15), "threat to school safety or a disruption to
17
other students' learning opportunities" shall be determined on
18
a case-by-case basis by the school board or its designee.
19
School officials shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve
20
such threats, address such disruptions, and minimize the
21
length of suspensions to the greatest extent practicable.
22

(b-20) Unless otherwise required by this Code,
23
out-of-school suspensions of longer than 3 days, expulsions,
24
and disciplinary removals to alternative schools may be used
25
only if other appropriate and available behavioral and
26
disciplinary interventions have been exhausted and the

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
student's continuing presence in school would either (i) pose
2
a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of
3
the school community or (ii) substantially disrupt, impede, or
4
interfere with the operation of the school. For purposes of
5
this subsection (b-20), "threat to the safety of other
6
students, staff, or members of the school community" and
7
"substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the
8
operation of the school" shall be determined on a case-by-case
9
basis by school officials. For purposes of this subsection
10
(b-20), the determination of whether "appropriate and
11
available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been
12
exhausted" shall be made by school officials. School officials
13
shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats,
14
address such disruptions, and minimize the length of student
15
exclusions to the greatest extent practicable. Within the
16
suspension decision described in subsection (b) of this
17
Section or the expulsion decision described in subsection (a)
18
of this Section, it shall be documented whether other
19
interventions were attempted or whether it was determined that
20
there were no other appropriate and available interventions.
21

(b-25) Students who are suspended out-of-school for longer
22
than 3 school days shall be provided appropriate and available
23
support services during the period of their suspension. For
24
purposes of this subsection (b-25), "appropriate and available
25
support services" shall be determined by school authorities.
26
Within the suspension decision described in subsection (b) of

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
this Section, it shall be documented whether such services are
2
to be provided or whether it was determined that there are no
3
such appropriate and available services.
4

A school district may refer students who are expelled to
5
appropriate and available support services.
6

A school district shall create a policy to facilitate the
7
re-engagement of students who are suspended out-of-school,
8
expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting. In
9
consultation with stakeholders deemed appropriate by the State
10
Board of Education, the State Board of Education shall draft
11
and publish guidance for the re-engagement of students who are
12
suspended out-of-school, expelled, or returning from an
13
alternative school setting in accordance with this Section and
14
Section 13A-4 on or before July 1, 2025.
15

(b-30) A school district shall create a policy by which
16
suspended students, including those students suspended from
17
the school bus who do not have alternate transportation to
18
school, shall have the opportunity to make up work for
19
equivalent academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of
20
a student's parent or guardian to notify school officials that
21
a student suspended from the school bus does not have
22
alternate transportation to school.
23

(c) A school board must invite a representative from a
24
local mental health agency to consult with the board at the
25
meeting whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be
26
the cause of a student's expulsion or suspension.

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1

(c-5) School districts shall make reasonable efforts to
2
provide ongoing professional development to all school
3
personnel, school board members, and school resource officers
,

4
on the requirements of this Section and Section 10-20.14, the
5
adverse consequences of school exclusion and justice-system
6
involvement, effective classroom management strategies,
7
culturally responsive discipline, trauma-responsive learning
8
environments, as defined in subsection (b) of Section 3-11,
9
the appropriate and available supportive services for the
10
promotion of student attendance and engagement, and
11
developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote
12
positive and healthy school climates.
13

(d) The board may expel a student for a definite period of
14
time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a
15
case-by-case basis. A student who is determined to have
16
brought one of the following objects to school, any
17
school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event
18
that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be
19
expelled for a period of not less than one year:
20

(1) A firearm. For the purposes of this Section,
21

"firearm" means any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined
22

by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code,
23

firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners
24

Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section
25

24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012. The expulsion period
26

under this subdivision (1) may be modified by the

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1

superintendent, and the superintendent's determination may
2

be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
3

(2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon
4

regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other
5

object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily
6

harm, including "look alikes" of any firearm as defined in
7

subdivision (1) of this subsection (d). The expulsion
8

requirement under this subdivision (2) may be modified by
9

the superintendent, and the superintendent's determination
10

may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
11
Expulsion or suspension shall be construed in a manner
12
consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities
13
Education Act. A student who is subject to suspension or
14
expulsion as provided in this Section may be eligible for a
15
transfer to an alternative school program in accordance with
16
Article 13A of the School Code.
17

(d-5) The board may suspend or by regulation authorize the
18
superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
19
principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend a
20
student for a period not to exceed 10 school days or may expel
21
a student for a definite period of time not to exceed 2
22
calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis, if (i)
23
that student has been determined to have made an explicit
24
threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a
25
student, or any school-related personnel, (ii) the Internet
26
website through which the threat was made is a site that was

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or
2
was available to third parties who worked or studied within
3
the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and (iii)
4
the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to
5
the safety and security of the threatened individual because
6
of the individual's duties or employment status or status as a
7
student inside the school.
8

(e) To maintain order and security in the schools, school
9
authorities may inspect and search places and areas such as
10
lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and
11
equipment owned or controlled by the school, as well as
12
personal effects left in those places and areas by students,
13
without notice to or the consent of the student, and without a
14
search warrant. As a matter of public policy, the General
15
Assembly finds that students have no reasonable expectation of
16
privacy in these places and areas or in their personal effects
17
left in these places and areas. School authorities may request
18
the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of
19
conducting inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking
20
lots, and other school property and equipment owned or
21
controlled by the school for illegal drugs, weapons, or other
22
illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including
23
searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.
24
If a search conducted in accordance with this Section produces
25
evidence that the student has violated or is violating either
26
the law, local ordinance, or the school's policies or rules,

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
such evidence may be seized by school authorities, and
2
disciplinary action may be taken. School authorities may also
3
turn over such evidence to law enforcement authorities.
4

(f) Suspension or expulsion may include suspension or
5
expulsion from school and all school activities and a
6
prohibition from being present on school grounds.
7

(g) A school district may adopt a policy providing that if
8
a student is suspended or expelled for any reason from any
9
public or private school in this or any other state, the
10
student must complete the entire term of the suspension or
11
expulsion in an alternative school program under Article 13A
12
of this Code or an alternative learning opportunities program
13
under Article 13B of this Code before being admitted into the
14
school district if there is no threat to the safety of students
15
or staff in the alternative program.
16

(h) School officials shall not advise or encourage
17
students to drop out voluntarily due to behavioral or academic
18
difficulties.
19

(i) A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a
20
disciplinary consequence, though this shall not preclude
21
requiring a student to provide restitution for lost, stolen,
22
or damaged property.
23

(j) Subsections (a) through (i) of this Section shall
24
apply to elementary and secondary schools, charter schools,
25
special charter districts, and school districts organized
26
under Article 34 of this Code.

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1

(k) The expulsion of students enrolled in programs funded
2
under Section 1C-2 of this Code is subject to the requirements
3
under paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section 2-3.71 of
4
this Code.
5

(l) An in-school suspension program provided by a school
6
district for any students in kindergarten through grade 12 may
7
focus on promoting non-violent conflict resolution and
8
positive interaction with other students and school personnel.
9
A school district may employ a school social worker or a
10
licensed mental health professional to oversee an in-school
11
suspension program in kindergarten through grade 12.
12
(Source: P.A. 102-539, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22;
13
103-594, eff. 6-25-24; 103-896, eff. 8-9-24; revised 9-25-24.)

14

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 102-466
)
15

Sec. 10-22.6.
Suspension or expulsion of students; school
16
searches.
17

(a) To expel students guilty of gross disobedience or
18
misconduct, including gross disobedience or misconduct
19
perpetuated by electronic means, pursuant to subsection (b-20)
20
of this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such
21
expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after the parents
22
or guardians have been requested to appear at a meeting of the
23
board, or with a hearing officer appointed by it, to discuss
24
their child's behavior. Such request shall be made by
25
registered or certified mail and shall state the time, place

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
and purpose of the meeting
and shall include all evidence,
2
including, but not limited to, video evidence and written
3
materials, held by the school district that has led to the
4
school board's decision to expel the student
. The board, or a
5
hearing officer appointed by it, at such meeting shall state
6
the reasons for dismissal and the date on which the expulsion
7
is to become effective. If a hearing officer is appointed by
8
the board, the hearing officer shall report to the board a
9
written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting and the
10
board may take such action thereon as it finds appropriate. If
11
the board acts to expel a student, the written expulsion
12
decision shall detail the specific reasons why removing the
13
student from the learning environment is in the best interest
14
of the school. The expulsion decision shall also include a
15
rationale as to the specific duration of the expulsion. An
16
expelled student may be immediately transferred to an
17
alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or
18
13B of this Code. A student must not be denied transfer because
19
of the expulsion, except in cases in which such transfer is
20
deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in
21
the alternative program.
Nothing in this subsection (a)
22
requires a school district to not be in compliance with the
23
federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

24

(b) To suspend or by policy to authorize the
25
superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
26
principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct, or to
2
suspend students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct on
3
the school bus from riding the school bus, pursuant to
4
subsections (b-15) and (b-20) of this Section, and no action
5
shall lie against them for such suspension. The board may by
6
policy authorize the superintendent of the district or the
7
principal, assistant principal, or dean of students of any
8
school to suspend students guilty of such acts for a period not
9
to exceed 10 school days. If a student is suspended due to
10
gross disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, the board
11
may suspend the student in excess of 10 school days for safety
12
reasons.
13

Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the
14
parents or guardians of a student along with a full statement
15
of the reasons for such suspension
, any evidence, including,
16
but not limited to, video evidence and written materials, held
17
by the school district that led to the suspension of the
18
student,
and a notice of
the parents' or guardians'

their

19
right to a review. The school board must be given a summary of
20
the notice, including the reason for the suspension and the
21
suspension length. Upon request of the parents or guardians,
22
the school board or a hearing officer appointed by it shall
23
review such action of the superintendent or principal,
24
assistant principal, or dean of students. At such review, the
25
parents or guardians of the student may appear and discuss the
26
suspension with the board or its hearing officer. If a hearing

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to the board
2
a written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting. After
3
its hearing or upon receipt of the written report of its
4
hearing officer, the board may take such action as it finds
5
appropriate. If a student is suspended pursuant to this
6
subsection (b), the board shall, in the written suspension
7
decision, detail the specific act of gross disobedience or
8
misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend. The
9
suspension decision shall also include a rationale as to the
10
specific duration of the suspension.
Nothing in this
11
subsection (b) requires a school district to not be in
12
compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and
13
Privacy Act of 1974.

14

(b-5) Among the many possible disciplinary interventions
15
and consequences available to school officials, school
16
exclusions, such as out-of-school suspensions and expulsions,
17
are the most serious. School officials shall limit the number
18
and duration of expulsions and suspensions to the greatest
19
extent practicable, and it is recommended that they use them
20
only for legitimate educational purposes. To ensure that
21
students are not excluded from school unnecessarily, it is
22
recommended that school officials consider forms of
23
non-exclusionary discipline prior to using out-of-school
24
suspensions or expulsions.
25

(b-10) Unless otherwise required by federal law or this
26
Code, school boards may not institute zero-tolerance policies

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
by which school administrators are required to suspend or
2
expel students for particular behaviors.
3

(b-15) Out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less may be
4
used only if the student's continuing presence in school would
5
pose a threat to school safety or a disruption to other
6
students' learning opportunities. For purposes of this
7
subsection (b-15), "threat to school safety or a disruption to
8
other students' learning opportunities" shall be determined on
9
a case-by-case basis by the school board or its designee.
10
School officials shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve
11
such threats, address such disruptions, and minimize the
12
length of suspensions to the greatest extent practicable.
13

(b-20) Unless otherwise required by this Code,
14
out-of-school suspensions of longer than 3 days, expulsions,
15
and disciplinary removals to alternative schools may be used
16
only if other appropriate and available behavioral and
17
disciplinary interventions have been exhausted and the
18
student's continuing presence in school would either (i) pose
19
a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of
20
the school community or (ii) substantially disrupt, impede, or
21
interfere with the operation of the school. For purposes of
22
this subsection (b-20), "threat to the safety of other
23
students, staff, or members of the school community" and
24
"substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the
25
operation of the school" shall be determined on a case-by-case
26
basis by school officials. For purposes of this subsection

SB2876
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LRB104 15184 LNS 28328 b
1
(b-20), the determination of whether "appropriate and
2
available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been
3
exhausted" shall be made by school officials. School officials
4
shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats,
5
address such disruptions, and minimize the length of student
6
exclusions to the greatest extent practicable. Within the
7
suspension decision described in subsection (b) of this
8
Section or the expulsion decision described in subsection (a)
9
of this Section, it shall be documented whether other
10
interventions were attempted or whether it was determined that
11
there were no other appropriate and available interventions.
12

(b-25) Students who are suspended out-of-school for longer
13
than 3 school days shall be provided appropriate and available
14
support services during the period of their suspension. For
15
purposes of this subsection (b-25), "appropriate and available
16
support services" shall be determined by school authorities.
17
Within the suspension decision described in subsection (b) of
18
this Section, it shall be documented whether such services are
19
to be provided or whether it was determined that there are no
20
such appropriate and available services.
21

A school district may refer students who are expelled to
22
appropriate and available support services.
23

A school district shall create a policy to facilitate the
24
re-engagement of students who are suspended out-of-school,
25
expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting. In
26
consultation with stakeholders deemed appropriate by the State

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1
Board of Education, the State Board of Education shall draft
2
and publish guidance for the re-engagement of students who are
3
suspended out-of-school, expelled, or returning from an
4
alternative school setting in accordance with this Section and
5
Section 13A-4 on or before July 1, 2025.
6

(b-30) A school district shall create a policy by which
7
suspended students, including those students suspended from
8
the school bus who do not have alternate transportation to
9
school, shall have the opportunity to make up work for
10
equivalent academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of
11
a student's parents or guardians to notify school officials
12
that a student suspended from the school bus does not have
13
alternate transportation to school.
14

(b-35) In all suspension review hearings conducted under
15
subsection (b) or expulsion hearings conducted under
16
subsection (a), a student may disclose any factor to be
17
considered in mitigation, including his or her status as a
18
parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual
19
violence, as defined in Article 26A. A representative of the
20
parent's or guardian's choice, or of the student's choice if
21
emancipated, must be permitted to represent the student
22
throughout the proceedings and to address the school board or
23
its appointed hearing officer. With the approval of the
24
student's parent or guardian, or of the student if
25
emancipated, a support person must be permitted to accompany
26
the student to any disciplinary hearings or proceedings. The

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1
representative or support person must comply with any rules of
2
the school district's hearing process. If the representative
3
or support person violates the rules or engages in behavior or
4
advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates either party, a
5
witness, or anyone else in attendance at the hearing, the
6
representative or support person may be prohibited from
7
further participation in the hearing or proceeding. A
8
suspension or expulsion proceeding under this subsection
9
(b-35) must be conducted independently from any ongoing
10
criminal investigation or proceeding, and an absence of
11
pending or possible criminal charges, criminal investigations,
12
or proceedings may not be a factor in school disciplinary
13
decisions.
14

(b-40) During a suspension review hearing conducted under
15
subsection (b) or an expulsion hearing conducted under
16
subsection (a) that involves allegations of sexual violence by
17
the student who is subject to discipline, neither the student
18
nor his or her representative shall directly question nor have
19
direct contact with the alleged victim. The student who is
20
subject to discipline or his or her representative may, at the
21
discretion and direction of the school board or its appointed
22
hearing officer, suggest questions to be posed by the school
23
board or its appointed hearing officer to the alleged victim.
24

(c) A school board must invite a representative from a
25
local mental health agency to consult with the board at the
26
meeting whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be

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1
the cause of a student's expulsion or suspension.
2

(c-5) School districts shall make reasonable efforts to
3
provide ongoing professional development to all school
4
personnel, school board members, and school resource officers
5
on the requirements of this Section and Section 10-20.14, the
6
adverse consequences of school exclusion and justice-system
7
involvement, effective classroom management strategies,
8
culturally responsive discipline, trauma-responsive learning
9
environments, as defined in subsection (b) of Section 3-11,
10
the appropriate and available supportive services for the
11
promotion of student attendance and engagement, and
12
developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote
13
positive and healthy school climates.
14

(d) The board may expel a student for a definite period of
15
time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a
16
case-by-case basis. A student who is determined to have
17
brought one of the following objects to school, any
18
school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event
19
that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be
20
expelled for a period of not less than one year:
21

(1) A firearm. For the purposes of this Section,
22

"firearm" means any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined
23

by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code,
24

firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners
25

Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section
26

24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012. The expulsion period

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1

under this subdivision (1) may be modified by the
2

superintendent, and the superintendent's determination may
3

be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
4

(2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon
5

regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other
6

object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily
7

harm, including "look alikes" of any firearm as defined in
8

subdivision (1) of this subsection (d). The expulsion
9

requirement under this subdivision (2) may be modified by
10

the superintendent, and the superintendent's determination
11

may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
12
Expulsion or suspension shall be construed in a manner
13
consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities
14
Education Act. A student who is subject to suspension or
15
expulsion as provided in this Section may be eligible for a
16
transfer to an alternative school program in accordance with
17
Article 13A of the School Code.
18

(d-5) The board may suspend or by regulation authorize the
19
superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
20
principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend a
21
student for a period not to exceed 10 school days or may expel
22
a student for a definite period of time not to exceed 2
23
calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis, if (i)
24
that student has been determined to have made an explicit
25
threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a
26
student, or any school-related personnel, (ii) the Internet

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1
website through which the threat was made is a site that was
2
accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or
3
was available to third parties who worked or studied within
4
the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and (iii)
5
the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to
6
the safety and security of the threatened individual because
7
of the individual's duties or employment status or status as a
8
student inside the school.
9

(e) To maintain order and security in the schools, school
10
authorities may inspect and search places and areas such as
11
lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and
12
equipment owned or controlled by the school, as well as
13
personal effects left in those places and areas by students,
14
without notice to or the consent of the student, and without a
15
search warrant. As a matter of public policy, the General
16
Assembly finds that students have no reasonable expectation of
17
privacy in these places and areas or in their personal effects
18
left in these places and areas. School authorities may request
19
the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of
20
conducting inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking
21
lots, and other school property and equipment owned or
22
controlled by the school for illegal drugs, weapons, or other
23
illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including
24
searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.
25
If a search conducted in accordance with this Section produces
26
evidence that the student has violated or is violating either

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1
the law, local ordinance, or the school's policies or rules,
2
such evidence may be seized by school authorities, and
3
disciplinary action may be taken. School authorities may also
4
turn over such evidence to law enforcement authorities.
5

(f) Suspension or expulsion may include suspension or
6
expulsion from school and all school activities and a
7
prohibition from being present on school grounds.
8

(g) A school district may adopt a policy providing that if
9
a student is suspended or expelled for any reason from any
10
public or private school in this or any other state, the
11
student must complete the entire term of the suspension or
12
expulsion in an alternative school program under Article 13A
13
of this Code or an alternative learning opportunities program
14
under Article 13B of this Code before being admitted into the
15
school district if there is no threat to the safety of students
16
or staff in the alternative program. A school district that
17
adopts a policy under this subsection (g) must include a
18
provision allowing for consideration of any mitigating
19
factors, including, but not limited to, a student's status as
20
a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual
21
violence, as defined in Article 26A.
22

(h) School officials shall not advise or encourage
23
students to drop out voluntarily due to behavioral or academic
24
difficulties.
25

(i) A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a
26
disciplinary consequence, though this shall not preclude

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1
requiring a student to provide restitution for lost, stolen,
2
or damaged property.
3

(j) Subsections (a) through (i) of this Section shall
4
apply to elementary and secondary schools, charter schools,
5
special charter districts, and school districts organized
6
under Article 34 of this Code.
7

(k) Through June 30, 2026, the expulsion of students
8
enrolled in programs funded under Section 1C-2 of this Code is
9
subject to the requirements under paragraph (7) of subsection
10
(a) of Section 2-3.71 of this Code.
11

(k-5) On and after July 1, 2026, the expulsion of children
12
enrolled in programs funded under Section 15-25 of the
13
Department of Early Childhood Act is subject to the
14
requirements of paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section
15
15-30 of the Department of Early Childhood Act.
16

(l) An in-school suspension program provided by a school
17
district for any students in kindergarten through grade 12 may
18
focus on promoting non-violent conflict resolution and
19
positive interaction with other students and school personnel.
20
A school district may employ a school social worker or a
21
licensed mental health professional to oversee an in-school
22
suspension program in kindergarten through grade 12.
23
(Source: P.A. 102-466, eff. 7-1-25; 102-539, eff. 8-20-21;
24
102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24; 103-896, eff.
25
8-9-24; revised 9-25-24.)

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1

Section 95.
No acceleration or delay.
Where this Act makes
2
changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text
3
that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section
4
represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does
5
not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes
6
made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other
7
Public Act.

8

Section 99.
Effective date.
This Act takes effect upon
9
becoming law.

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