Illinois Senate Bill SB0044

Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/25
• Refer: 1/13/25
• Refer: 1/22/25
• Refer: 6/2/25

Caption

SCH CD-ELECTRIC VEHICLE GRANTS

Summary

SB0044 amends the Illinois School Code to create a new grant program administered by the State Board of Education for school districts that want to buy an electric vehicle for use in student driver education courses. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, and subject to appropriation, the Board would issue annual requests for applications, accept applications each year, and award competitive grants to approved districts. The bill also authorizes the Board to adopt rules to carry out the program. If grant funding in a given year is not enough to cover all eligible applications, the bill directs the State Board to prioritize Tier 1 and Tier 2 school districts that have no electric vehicles, do not have enough vehicles to meet student demand, and have applied for funding. Applications must include information about the district’s tier status, student participation and waitlists, the number and condition of current driver education vehicles, and a plan for how the district will use the vehicle.

Impact

The bill would add a new Section 2-3.206 to the School Code and create a state-funded competitive grant program specifically for electric vehicles used in driver education. It would affect school districts that offer driver education courses, especially those with limited vehicle fleets or higher financial need, and would give the State Board of Education new administrative responsibilities for application procedures, grant distribution, prioritization, and rulemaking. The program’s operation depends on legislative appropriations, so it would not mandate spending absent funding.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or formal support/opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears policy-driven and targeted toward expanding access to driver education resources while promoting electric vehicle use in schools. The absence of recorded controversy suggests the bill was introduced in a straightforward manner, though its fiscal dependence could affect support.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the grant program is contingent on appropriation, and lawmakers may differ on whether state funds should be used to subsidize electric vehicles for school driver education. Another possible issue is prioritization, since the bill favors Tier 1 and Tier 2 districts with no EVs and unmet student demand, which could prompt debate over equity, need-based allocation, and whether districts with greater capacity or different transportation needs should also qualify. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.