Illinois Enacts “Safe Schools for All Act” to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning State Legislation with Global Education and Equality Mandates

The state of Illinois has passed new legislation, the “Safe Schools for All Act” (HB 3247), designed to protect the educational rights of undocumented students. This act directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By ensuring that all children, regardless of immigration status, have access to a free and safe public education, the law reinforces the state’s commitment to inclusive and equitable development.

Legislative Framework and Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education

The “Safe Schools for All Act,” effective January 1, 2026, is a significant measure to uphold SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. The law is built upon the legal precedent of the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees the right to education for undocumented children. The act was developed in response to federal policies that increased the risk of immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations, including schools, leading to decreased attendance among immigrant children. By creating a legally protected safe environment, the act seeks to eliminate barriers to school attendance and participation.

Core Provisions of the Act

• Schools are prohibited from denying a child’s enrollment based on their perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status.
• Educational institutions must protect student information related to citizenship from disclosure to any entity, including immigration or law enforcement agencies.
• The legislation is intended to counteract the chilling effect of potential immigration raids, ensuring students can attend school without fear.

Addressing SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The “Safe Schools for All Act” is a direct response to the mandate of SDG 10, which calls for the reduction of inequality within and among countries. The law specifically targets a vulnerable and marginalized group—undocumented children and their families—to ensure they have equal opportunity and are not excluded from essential public services. Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, stated that the legislation represents a stand for “education for all Illinois children,” underscoring its role in promoting social inclusion and reducing disparities in educational outcomes.

Strengthening SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

By establishing a clear legal framework, the act contributes to SDG 16 by promoting the rule of law and building more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. It provides a legal basis for students and families to seek recourse, although this provision has raised concerns from groups like the Illinois Association of School Boards regarding potential litigation against school districts. The law mandates that schools develop formal procedures for handling law enforcement actions on their premises, thereby strengthening institutional integrity and ensuring a safe and undisturbed learning environment.

Key Effects and Implementation Measures

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has outlined the primary effects of the new law, which are designed to operationalize the state’s commitment to the SDGs:

1. To prohibit the exclusion of students and parents from schools and related programs on the basis of immigration status.
2. To forbid school procedures, such as requesting a social security number, that have the effect of discouraging or excluding students based on immigration status.
3. To restrict the disclosure, or threats of disclosure, of any information related to the immigration status of a child or an associated person.
4. To protect the classroom environment by requiring schools to create clear procedures for managing the presence of ICE or other law enforcement agencies at school facilities.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the “Safe Schools for All Act” in Illinois connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education: This is the most prominent SDG, as the article’s entire focus is on a law designed to guarantee the right to a free, public education for all children, specifically protecting undocumented students from being denied access or discouraged from attending school.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The law directly addresses inequality by targeting a vulnerable and marginalized group—undocumented children and their families. It aims to eliminate discrimination based on immigration status, ensuring equal opportunity in accessing the fundamental service of education.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article discusses the creation and implementation of a specific law (the Safe Schools for All Act) which represents the development of a strong, inclusive, and accountable institution (the state’s legal and educational system). It promotes the rule of law and ensures access to justice for a vulnerable population by providing legal protections.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The article highlights that the law “defends every child’s right to a free, public education,” directly supporting this target by removing barriers for undocumented children.
2. Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education… for the vulnerable, including… children in vulnerable situations. Undocumented students are classified as “children in vulnerable situations,” and the law explicitly works to ensure their equal access to school programs.
3. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child… sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The law aims to create a safe environment by requiring schools to craft procedures for law enforcement actions and protecting students from the threat of ICE raids, which had previously caused attendance to drop.
4. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social… inclusion of all, irrespective of… origin… or other status. The law promotes the social inclusion of children by ensuring their immigration status is not a barrier to education.
5. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation. The “Safe Schools for All Act” is a piece of “appropriate legislation” designed to eliminate the discriminatory practice of excluding students based on immigration status.
6. Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. The Act is a clear example of a state-level non-discriminatory law being promoted and enforced to protect a fundamental right.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several indicators that could measure progress:

1. Attendance rates for undocumented children: The article explicitly states that “attendance rates for undocumented children have dropped” due to fear of immigration raids. An increase in attendance rates for this demographic following the law’s implementation would be a direct indicator of its success in creating a safer, more inclusive environment (relevant to Target 4.a).
2. School enrollment policies: The article notes the law will “prohibit school procedures or measures that have the effect of excluding or discouraging students,” such as “requesting a social security number.” The number or percentage of school districts that update their enrollment policies to comply with this would be a measurable indicator of progress (relevant to Target 10.3).
3. Existence of school-level safety procedures: The law requires schools to “craft procedures for ICE and other law enforcement actions at schools.” The percentage of schools in Illinois that have developed and implemented these procedures can be tracked as an indicator of institutional strengthening and the creation of safe learning environments (relevant to Target 4.a and 16.6).
4. Number of incidents of information disclosure: The law restricts “disclosing and threats to disclose anything related to the immigration status of a child.” A reduction in the number of reported incidents of schools sharing student information with immigration or law enforcement agencies would indicate the law’s effectiveness (relevant to Target 16.b).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: chicagoparent.com