State Representative Sharon Chung | ballotpedia.org
State Representative Sharon Chung | ballotpedia.org
According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the School Code. Creates the Waiver Process Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, meetings, and support services. Provides that the purposes of the Task Force are to examine the current waiver response process and make recommendations on a more equitable and fair waiver response at the elementary and secondary school levels in this State; develop and use metrics to access the viability of waiver requests and the impact of such requests on students in kindergarten through grade 12; promote training and professional development on creating waiver requests that include accountability measures for teachers and other community stakeholders across this State; identify and seek local, State, and national resources to support an equitable and fair waiver process; and complete such other strategies as may be identified by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how waivers should be requested, how waivers should be reviewed for approval, and how to demonstrate the ability to fulfill accountability measures proposed in requested waivers. Requires the Task Force to file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2025. Effective immediately."
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill defines procedures for school districts, joint agreements, and regional superintendents in Illinois to seek waivers or modifications of mandates within the School Code and related administrative rules. Eligible applicants can petition the State Board of Education to adjust these mandates to achieve innovation, improve student performance, or operate more efficiently or economically. However, waivers cannot be sought for mandates related to special education, teacher licensure, tenure and seniority, certain evaluation systems, or compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill outlines the requirements for public hearings and notification processes, ensuring transparency and participation from stakeholders. Approved waivers remain effective for up to five school years, with potential for renewal, except physical education waivers, limited to three years with no renewal. The bill mandates rigorous review processes and conditions under which requests can be appealed or rescinded.
Chung graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BA.
Sharon Chung is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 91st House District. She replaced previous state representative Mark Luft in 2023.
Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.
You can read more about bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1358 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the School Code. Creates the Waiver Process Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, meetings, and support services. Provides that the purposes of the Task Force are to examine the current waiver response process and make recommendations on a more equitable and fair waiver response at the elementary and secondary school levels in this State; develop and use metrics to access the viability of waiver requests and the impact of such requests on students in kindergarten through grade 12; promote training and professional development on creating waiver requests that include accountability measures for teachers and other community stakeholders across this State; identify and seek local, State, and national resources to support an equitable and fair waiver process; and complete such other strategies as may be identified by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how waivers should be requested, how waivers should be reviewed for approval, and how to demonstrate the ability to fulfill accountability measures proposed in requested waivers. Requires the Task Force to file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2025. Effective immediately. |
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