LM Jan 2024

Legal Corner

Chad Watkins IASA Associate Director/General Counsel

To help school leaders navigate uncertain times, IASA has partnered with leading law firms throughout Illinois to provide districts with critical guidance during the 2023–24 school year. In every issue of Leadership Matters, the IASA Legal Corner will showcase an article written by attorneys who specialize in legal matters related to education. It is our hope you

find the content insightful, timely and helpful in addressing the critical matters you face. This month, Franczek writes about legislation passed in the 2023 legislative session that takes effect in 2024. As a reminder, IASA Legal Corner articles are provided for informational purposes only, and you are advised to contact your district counsel for legal advice. Click on the link below to access the article.

2023 Legislative Update: Summary of Changes in School Law

As we approach the new year, Franczek is pleased to recap the new legislation applicable to K–12 schools that passed in 2023 and will take effect in 2024. Below you will find our compilation of this year’s legislative changes. ADMINISTRATIVE Constitution Day P.A. 103-0015 Date Effective: 7/1/2023 Libraries P.A. 103-0100 Date Effective: 1/1/2024

This act commemorates September 17 as “Constitution Day.” While Constitution Day is a regular school day, school boards must include instruction relative to the holiday, when appropriate. ISBE will make instructional materials available to school boards.

This act amends the Illinois Library System Act, requiring public libraries that wish to remain eligible for State grant funding, including school libraries, to either (1) adopt the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal approval; or (2) develop a written statement that prohibits book bans in the library. ... (read more)

20 LM January 2024