HB0176 Summary

• Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act to require that federal and state holiday names on local government calendars must match the names designated by the State, with this authority reserved exclusively to the State and denied to home rule units.

• Modifies the School Code to specify that teachers and school employees cannot be required to work on legal federal or state holidays, and mandates that school districts use only the State-designated names for these holidays on their calendars.

• Allows school boards to hold classes or teacher institutes on certain holidays (MLK Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Pulaski Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day) if they conduct instructional activities honoring those persons and hold a public hearing with notice to educators and parents.

• Designates November 3, 2020 as "2020 General Election Day," a State holiday when all government offices except election authorities must be closed unless used for election services or polling places.