Illinois the first state in the nation to require public schools to offer mental health screenings in 3rd through 12th grades. Gov. Pritzker signed the bill July 31, 2025.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1560 Thursday, which would require the State Board of Education and a children’s behavioral health team within the governor’s office to develop procedures and make mental health materials available to school districts. The board will provide those materials to schools beginning in September 2026.

The bill, SB1560, requires all school districts to provide screening in grades 3 through 12 at least once a year.