SB1604 creates two new grant programs aimed at strengthening the social work pipeline in Illinois. First, it directs the State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, to award annual competitive grants beginning in the 2025-2026 school year to school districts and other educational units that host school social work interns. Those grants would be used to provide stipends to interns whose school social work placements are required by approved educator preparation programs, with the stipend set at at least $15,000 per year or $25 per hour. The bill also requires the Board to issue annual applications, establish procedures for requesting and paying stipends, prioritize certain districts if funding is limited, and publish a yearly report listing recipients and award amounts.
Second, the bill amends the Board of Higher Education Act to create a grant program for social worker field placements at public and nonpublic institutions of higher education. This program would support students preparing to become social workers by helping fund field placements, internships, and other work opportunities related to social work. The Board of Higher Education would administer the program, ensure grants reach a representative cross section of students, and may require evaluations, audits, reports, and budget recommendations. The bill takes effect immediately, but both grant programs depend on future appropriations.
Impact
SB1604 would add new statutory authority in the School Code and the Board of Higher Education Act for state-funded grants supporting social work internships and field placements. It would create a new annual grant process for school districts and educational units that employ school social work interns, and a separate higher-education grant program for institutions that place students in social-work-related experiential learning. The bill would also require public reporting by the State Board of Education and allow the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules and oversight measures, while prioritizing Tier 1 and Tier 2 districts if funding is insufficient.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears supportive and programmatic rather than controversial. The measure is framed as workforce-development and student-support legislation, with a focus on expanding access to social work training and helping districts and colleges cover internship-related costs. The inclusion of reporting, prioritization, and oversight provisions suggests an effort to make the programs administratively accountable and politically palatable.
Contention
No committee transcripts or vote history are provided, so there is no documented opposition or debate to identify. Potential points of contention inherent in the bill include the need for an appropriation to fund the programs, the size of the required stipend floor, and the prioritization of Tier 1 and Tier 2 school districts when funding is limited. Another possible issue is the scope of the higher-education grants, including whether public and nonpublic institutions should both be eligible and how the Board will ensure a representative cross section of students receives support.
Establishing the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Program; and providing for authorization of internships, for award of internships and for funding of the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Program.
Establishing the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Pilot Program; and providing for authorization of internships, for award of internships and for funding of the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Pilot Program.