Illinois Schools: New Rules for Immigrant Kids and AI in Classrooms

In 2025, Illinois made some big changes to how schools handle immigrant students and artificial intelligence. These changes became law at the start of the new year. Immigrant students in Illinois now have more protection. A new law stops schools from asking about or sharing a student's immigration status. It also prevents schools from keeping students out of programs or activities because of their immigration status. If schools break these rules, they can be sued. Another law makes it easier for immigrant students to get scholarships. Before, only state-funded scholarships like MAP grants were available to them. Now, local government scholarships are also an option.Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in education. Illinois lawmakers decided that community colleges can't use AI to replace teachers. However, teachers can use AI as a tool in their classrooms. For elementary and high schools, the rules are less clear. The state education board has to create guidelines on how AI should be used. These guidelines should explain what AI is, how it can be used in the classroom, and the potential risks. Other changes include allowing seventh and eighth graders to earn high school credits. Also, parents of special needs students will be notified about their right to bring an advocate to IEP meetings.