SPRINGFIELD — Illinois teachers and families would have better tools to identify behavioral and mental health needs for youth to connect them with community-based supports under a measure led by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“My focus has always been on prioritizing behavioral health care and social services that reinforce our commitments to Illinois children and families, and this legislation continues that important work,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “This initiative will help teachers connect students with school-based supports but also create stronger pathways to behavioral health care and services at home and in the community.”

Feigenholtz has worked alongside members of the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative, led by Dr. Dana Weiner, since 2022. Feigenholtz sponsored and passed the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act in 2023, paving the way for the new BEACON portal, a centralized online platform for Illinois children and families seeking mental health services. Through BEACON, youth and caregivers can find services they qualify for, manage health records securely, receive real-time updates and request additional case support.

Under Feigenholtz’s proposal, the state would begin working with schools to offer mental health screenings to students in third-grade through high school. School districts would only be required to implement the screenings as long as the state is able to offer screening tools at no cost to the school.

“We have made great strides in recent years toward transforming the way our state meets the needs of youth with behavioral and mental health challenges,” said Feigenholtz. “Senate Bill 1560 is the next piece of the puzzle to finally get kids and their families the support they urgently need.”

Senate Bill 1560 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

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