IL HB2848

Establishes a paid internship program through the State Board of Education for students in educator preparation programs for school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors, school nurses, and speech-language pathologists, with pay at minimum wage or higher for one academic year

Creates a mentorship and recruitment program to attract high school, community college, and undergraduate students to school support personnel careers, developed in collaboration with the Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, and professional associations

Authorizes the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award up to 250 scholarships annually beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year for students pursuing school psychology, school counseling, school nursing, or school speech-language pathology at Illinois public universities

Scholarship recipients must work for at least 2 of the 5 years following graduation at an Illinois public or nonprofit school in their endorsement area, or repay the scholarship amount at 5% interest

Creates a School Support Personnel Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program offering grants up to $6,500 to school psychologists, counselors, nurses, and speech-language pathologists employed in Illinois public schools, with priority given to racial minority applicants in both the scholarship and loan repayment programs