HB 476 — EDUCATION-TECH

*LRB10404292LNS14317b* HB0476 104THEngrossed GENERALLRB104 ASSEMBLY04292 StateLNS of14317 Illinoisb andAN 2026ACT HB0476concerning Introducededucation. 1/9/2025, by Rep.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCS 5/1-1 from Ch.

122, par.

1-1 concerning the short title.ode.

Makes a technical change in a Section LRB104 04292 LNS 14317 b A BILL FOR HB0476 LRB104 04292 LNS 14317 b AN ACT concerning education.

The School Code is amended by changing Section 1-110-20.21 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/1-1)5/10-20.21) (fromSec. Ch.

122,10-20.21. par.

1-1)Contracts. Sec.

1-1.(a) To award all contracts for purchase of supplies and materials or work involving an expenditure in excess of $35,000 or a lower amount as required by board policy to the lowest responsible bidder, considering conformity with specifications, terms of delivery, quality and serviceability, after due advertisement, except the following:

Short(i) title.contracts for the services of individuals possessing a high degree of professional skill where the ability or fitness of the individual plays an important part;

This(ii) Actcontracts mayfor bethe citedprinting asof thefinance thecommittee Schoolreports Code.and departmental reports;

(Source:(iii) contracts for the printing or engraving of bonds, tax warrants and other evidences of indebtedness;

(iv) contracts for the purchase of perishable foods and perishable beverages;

HB0476 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 04292 LNS 14317 b (v) contracts for materials and work which have been awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after due advertisement, but due to unforeseen revisions, not the fault of the contractor for materials and work, must be revised causing expenditures not in excess of 10% of the contract price;

(vi) contracts for the maintenance or servicing of, or provision of repair parts for, equipment which are made with the manufacturer or authorized service agent of that equipment where the provision of parts, maintenance, or servicing can best be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service agent;

(vii) purchases and contracts for the use, purchase, delivery, movement, or installation of data processing equipment, software, or services and telecommunications and interconnect equipment, software, and services;

(viii) contracts for duplicating machines and supplies;

(ix) contracts for the purchase of fuel, including diesel, gasoline, oil, aviation, natural gas, or propane, lubricants, or other petroleum products;

(x) purchases of equipment previously owned by some entity other than the district itself;

(xi) contracts for repair, maintenance, remodeling, renovation, or construction, or a single project involving an expenditure not to exceed $50,000 and not involving a HB0476 Engrossed - 3 - LRB104 04292 LNS 14317 b change or increase in the size, type, or extent of an existing facility;

(xii) contracts for goods or services procured from another governmental agency;

(xiii) contracts for goods or services which are economically procurable from only one source, such as for the purchase of magazines, books, periodicals, pamphlets and reports, and for utility services such as water, light, heat, telephone or telegraph;

(xiv) where funds are expended in an emergency and such emergency expenditure is approved by 3/4 of the members of the board;

(xv) State master contracts authorized under Article 28A of this Code;

(xvi) contracts providing for the transportation of pupils, which contracts must be advertised in the same manner as competitive bids and awarded by first considering the bidder or bidders most able to provide safety and comfort for the pupils, stability of service, and any other factors set forth in the request for proposal regarding quality of service, and then price;

and (xvii) contracts for goods, services, or management in the operation of a school's food service, including a school that participates in any of the United States Department of Agriculture's child nutrition programs if a good faith effort is made on behalf of the school district HB0476 Engrossed - 4 - LRB104 04292 LNS 14317 b to give preference to:

(1) contracts that procure food that promotes the health and well-being of students, in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture nutrition standards for school meals.

Contracts should also promote the production of scratch made, minimally processed foods;

(2) contracts that give a preference to State, or regional, or local suppliers that source local food products;

(3) contracts that give a preference to food suppliers that utilize producers that adopt hormone and pest management practices recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture;

(4) contracts that give a preference to food suppliers that value animal welfare;

and (5) contracts that increase opportunities for businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, or persons with disabilities.

Food supplier data shall be submitted to the school district at the time of the bid, to the best of the bidder's ability, and updated annually thereafter during the term of the contract.

The contractor shall submit the updated food supplier data.

The data required under this item (xvii) shall include the name and address of each supplier, distributor, processor, and producer involved in HB0476 Engrossed - 5 - LRB104 04292 LNS 14317 b the provision of the products that the bidder is to supply.

However, at no time shall a cause of action lie against a school board for awarding a pupil transportation contract per the standards set forth in this subsection (a) unless the cause of action is based on fraudulent conduct.

All competitive bids for contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $35,000 or a lower amount as required by board policy must be sealed by the bidder and must be opened by a member or employee of the school board at a public bid opening at which the contents of the bids must be announced.

Each bidder must receive at least 3 days' notice of the time and place of the bid opening.