Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB5135: ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Status: Signed into law, July 31, 2026
Amends the Adult Education Act and the Public Community College Act. With respect to the annual report on adult education for the preceding school year by the Illinois Community College Board, removes the requirement to include a summary of State reimbursement for adult basic education, adult secondary education, English language acquisition, high school credit, integrated English literacy and civics education, and bridge and integrated education and training programs in coordination with vocational skills training. Provides that any public community college district maintaining adult educations classes for the instruction of those persons who, among other requirements, are 17 (rather than 16) years of age or older are entitled to claim an apportionment of State reimbursement. Allows classes in adult education to include digital literacy. Removes language providing that the maximum generation rate for reimbursement per credit hour or per unit of instruction shall be equal to the community college system reimbursement rate for adult education divided by one-third. Provides that State adult education funds, other than matching funds, are not subject to the authorizing federal law. Removes language providing that approved programs for adult education may assess students up to $6 per credit hour or unit of instruction per semester per student. Removes language requiring an education plan to be established for each adult learning participating in the instructional programs. Requires each adult learner participating in the instructional programs to complete an assessment of foundational skills to appropriately place the adult learner in an instructional program. Makes other and conforming changes.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5135Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Aarón M. OrtízSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 405/2-4from Ch. 122, par. 202-4105 ILCS 405/3-1from Ch. 122, par. 203-1110 ILCS 805/2-12from Ch. 122, par. 102-12110 ILCS 805/2-12.5 105 ILCS 405/2-4 from Ch. 122, par. 202-4 105 ILCS 405/3-1 from Ch. 122, par. 203-1 110 ILCS 805/2-12 from Ch. 122, par. 102-12 110 ILCS 805/2-12.5 ILCS 405/2-4 from Ch. 122, par. 202-4 ILCS 405/3-1 from Ch. 122, par. 203-1 ILCS 805/2-12 from Ch. 122, par…
From the introduced text, February 5, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB5135Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Aarón M. OrtízSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 405/2-4from Ch. 122, par. 202-4105 ILCS 405/3-1from Ch. 122, par. 203-1110 ILCS 805/2-12from Ch. 122, par. 102-12110 ILCS 805/2-12.5 105 ILCS 405/2-4 from Ch. 122, par. 202-4 105 ILCS 405/3-1 from Ch. 122, par. 203-1 110 ILCS 805/2-12 from Ch. 122, par. 102-12 110 ILCS 805/2-12.5 ILCS 405/2-4 from Ch. 122, par. 202-4 ILCS 405/3-1 from Ch. 122, par. 203-1 ILCS 805/2-12 from Ch. 122, par. 102-12 ILCS 805/2-12.5 Amends the Adult Education Act and the Public Community College Act.With respect to the annual report on adult education for the precedingschool year by the Illinois Community College Board, removes therequirement to include a summary of State reimbursement for adult basiceducation, adult secondary education, English language acquisition, highschool credit, integrated English literacy and civics education, andbridge and integrated education and training programs in coordination withvocational skills training. Provides that any public community collegedistrict maintaining adult educations classes for the instruction of thosepersons who, among other requirements, are 17 (rather than 16) years of ageor older are entitled to claim an apportionment of State reimbursement.Allows classes in adult education to include digital literacy. Removeslanguage providing that the maximum generation rate for reimbursement percredit hour or per unit of instruction shall be …