IL SB1941

State Board of Education authorized to award competitive annual grants under Safe Schools and Healthy Learning Environments Grant Program, subject to appropriation.

Grant funds support implementation of restorative interventions and alternatives to exclusionary discipline, with eligible uses including hiring school support personnel (restorative justice practitioners, psychologists, social workers, mental health specialists) and providing trauma-informed training to staff.

Grant funds cannot be used to increase school-based law enforcement or security personnel, though school districts may still involve law enforcement when necessary and allowed by law.

State Board awards grants based on school support personnel-to-student ratios (with priority for districts with demonstrated shortages) and quality of comprehensive proposals for reducing exclusionary discipline while building safe learning environments.

State Board must produce annual reports by October 31 beginning in 2020 detailing quantitative progress on reducing exclusionary discipline and effects on school safety and climate.