Illinois becomes the first state to mandate annual mental health screenings for public school students from third to twelfth grade, set to start in the 2027-2028 school year.

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.

Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1560 to provide cost-free mental health screening tools to public schools in Illinois and inform parents and caregivers about the BEACON portal, making annual mental health screenings available for all Illinois students in grades 3-12 by the 2027 school year.