IL SB1498

Creates Agricultural Education Pre-Service Teacher Internship Program for agricultural education majors at Illinois public universities who have completed at least 30 credit hours and maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher.

Requires minimum 8-week or 300-hour internship experience covering 5 career clusters: agricultural business management, agricultural mechanics and technology, horticulture services, agricultural sciences, and natural resources conservation management.

Internship must include both classroom lectures and hands-on, applied learning through partnerships with Illinois agricultural companies.

Provides grants to participating students including stipends up to $7,500, lodging, meal reimbursement at IRS per diem rates, and coverage of reasonable participation costs.

Program development and grants are subject to appropriation and require consultation between State Board of Education and Board of Higher Education.