A new Illinois law will require all Illinois public schools to offer students in 3rd through 12th grades a free, optional mental health screening goes into effect for the 2027-28 school year, after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1560, which passed earlier this year in the state House and Senate.
Called the first of its kind in the nation, the new law provides the opportunity for students to participate in free, optional mental health screenings at least once a year.
To Hector Garcia, superintendent of Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181, the new law makes sense.
“A student’s social-emotional and mental health is critical to their academic growth and achievement, and D181 is committed to supporting the whole child,” he said. “Thus, just as various assessments help tailor and guide academic instruction, social-emotional screeners are an important tool in guiding our social-emotional and mental health support.”
The state is anticipated to pick up the cost of the emotional health screenings, and the State Board of Education is expected to provide school districts guidance and policy on how to use the screening tools by Sept. 1, 2026, according to the governor’s office.
Garcia said District 181 already has a variety of social-emotional and mental health supports available to its students and teams.
“We are fortunate to have school-based mental health professionals in all of our buildings,” he said. “School social workers, psychologists, and nurses are present in all of our buildings in a student-to-staff ratio higher than the national average.”
Garcia said the district also is fortunate to have a very supportive community.
“It is not uncommon for our staff to partner with community health agencies in the support of our students,” he said.
It’s important to note, Garcia said, that HB 1560 is directing a phased-in approach to implementation. The first phase of implementation is for the State Board of Education to put together a task force to develop recommendations and guidance for school districts. Meanwhile, District 181 will continue with its Board of Education-approved social-emotional screener and multi-tiered system of supports process, Garcia said.
“Currently, we use the social-emotional screener, Satchel Pulse, to identify student social-emotional strengths,” he said. “In the event that the screener indicates that a student has a potential area of need, parents are contacted, and students are further screened by our school social workers and psychologists. If the student is in need of support, our school social workers and psychologists collaborate with families to develop a plan, using evidence-based practices and resources.”
When the new emotional testing begins in 2027, District 181 will follow its process of using district and board committees to implement new instructional resources, such as mental health screeners, Garcia said. In addition to committee and board updates, the district will communicate updates to families via various communication methods, such as parent emails/letters, curriculum nights, and district/building newsletters.
“Currently, parent communication occurs prior to our current social-emotional screener,” Garcia said. “Parents are welcome and encouraged to reach out to building or district administration if they have any questions or would like to review the social-emotional screener. In addition, we recognize that each child is unique, and that participation in the social-emotional screener may not be appropriate. Thus, parents are encouraged to contact building or district administration if they would like their child exempted from this assessment.”
At this point, it’s too early to know what challenges District 181 may have in implementing the new testing and what resources will be needed to do so.
“We are still monitoring this new law,” Garcia said. “In the meantime, we will continue with our current practices, using our current resources.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
