CHICAGO — Several new state laws affecting education take effect this month, highlighting the rights of immigrant students and the growth of artificial intelligence in schools.

Here’s what you need to know.

Expansion of student rights regardless of immigration status

An amendment to the Illinois School Code prohibits public schools from denying a student access to a free education based on their immigration status or that of their parents, underscoring long-standing constitutional federal protections amid renewed scrutiny of immigrant rights at the state level.

Proponents say the move addresses concerns with escalating federal immigration enforcement — a major focus for President Donald Trump’s administration.

Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz, the 64-day crackdown in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, left schools particularly vulnerable. Schools also must not exclude a child “from participation in or deny a child the benefits of any program or activity” even if they’re noncitizens.

“In the face of federal threats to our schools and students, our communities came together and organized to demand that our state leaders stand up for education for all Illinois children,” Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said when the legislation was passed in May.

AI law encourages responsible and ethical usage

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how students learn and teachers work, prompting state lawmakers to step in with new regulations.

The Illinois State Board of Education is now required to provide guidance to districts and educators on the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 settings. That includes explaining what AI is, how it works and how it could be used in classrooms.

The state board must also include guidance on the impact AI systems and applications could have on student data privacy, including providing best practices for teaching students about responsible and ethical AI use.

Similarly, an amendment to Illinois’ Public Community College Act requires that community college courses not be taught solely by AI or generative AI programs in place of instructors.

Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation.

This contrasts with the Trump administration, which, in a December 2025 executive order, actively encouraged the adoption of AI applications across sectors, stating that “to win, United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation.”

Special education resources expanding

Schools are now required to provide written notice to parents or guardians of students with disabilities that they have the right to have an advocate present at any meeting regarding their child’s current or prospective individualized education program — a legal document that gives eligible students access to special education resources. It also gives parents and guardians the right to ask for an IEP facilitator for their child’s program.

Parents and guardians will also have additional access to information pertaining to their children’s mental health records if they receive special education services, according to House Bill 2994.

Several new advancement opportunities for students

Seventh and eighth grade students now have the opportunity to earn high school credits. The credits will be awarded to students who participate in and pass the course at the high school they will eventually attend.

High school students will have access to a catalog of internships, externships and volunteer opportunities statewide. The list will be posted on the State Board of Education’s website on July 1 each year and sent to each school district under the amended school code.

Students have permission to participate in work-based learning experiences and career-development opportunities, including 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs, and have it count toward their school day. Participation and learning outcomes must first be approved by a licensed educator.

Programs for gifted and talented students will also have more leeway on how they are structured.

New higher education policies

Public and private universities are now required to post their cost of attendance on their websites.

Additionally, public universities and colleges make at least three on-site mental health professionals available.

Other changes to statewide education

Additional statewide changes to education include early literacy, data transparency and access to language-learning materials.

All school districts are now required to screen and report early literacy scores of their K-3 students to the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education will collect data on funding related to student homelessness. This includes the amount of funding each school district reserved in the preceding school year to serve homeless children and youths, per the amended school code. This information will be publicly available on the State Board of Education’s website.

Illinois school districts are now required to create educational materials on the benefits of American Sign Language for sharing with schools serving grades K-8. By July 1, the materials must also be posted on the State Board of Education’s website.

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(Tribune reporters Jeremy Gorner and Laura Rodríguez Presa contributed.)

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