SPRINGFIELD – To allow schools to prepare for a fall semester against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) supported a new law giving students and teachers much-needed guidance and flexibility to face challenges related to the pandemic.

“The pandemic revealed a real lack of resources in many Illinois schools. If our state is still facing the COVID-19 threat this fall, we have to be prepared to respond in a way that prioritizes safety without sacrificing students’ education,” said Murphy. “This new law gives our education system some help adapting to this ‘new normal.’”

The education package contains a number of measures to offer help to teachers and students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a one-year extension for educator license renewals to allow teachers to postpone the renewal process until they can return to their classrooms.

The legislation also enables students to take mandatory tests remotely, so they don’t have to risk getting sick in order to take exams they need to apply for college.

A number of provisions relate to higher education during the pandemic. Under the new law, any grade of “pass,” “credit,” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced college courses.

The bill also modifies the state's AIM HIGH education grant program to stabilize tuition for scholarship recipients during these uncertain times.

“We hope kids will be able to return to physical classrooms this fall, but we have to be prepared in case that isn’t a safe option,” said Murphy. “These measures will help keep our schools on track, no matter what the future holds.”

Senate Bill 1569 was signed into law Thursday.