HB5500 Summary

• Replaces references to "high school equivalency certificate" with "State of Illinois High School Diploma" throughout Illinois statutes concerning education, financial aid, corrections, and professional licensing.

• Amends the Children and Family Services Act to require scholarship and fee waiver recipients to have earned a State of Illinois High School Diploma or equivalent before applying for post-secondary education support.

• Updates the School Code, Illinois Vehicle Code, and Public Community College Act to recognize the State of Illinois High School Diploma as the official credential for high school equivalency in place of previous certificate language.

• Modifies professional licensing requirements across nursing, pharmacy, real estate, pest control, and firearms instructor programs to accept State of Illinois High School Diploma as equivalent to traditional high school diplomas.

• Adjusts corrections and public assistance statutes to reference State of Illinois High School Diploma in educational requirements for incarcerated individuals and workforce program participants.