Pritzker said it’s important to overcome the stigma around getting help for mental health issues and to treat mental health as a priority, like physical health. Illinois schools already offer screenings for vision and hearing problems and require students to have physical checkups with their pediatrician.

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.

The bill, SB1560, requires all school districts to provide screening in grades 3 through 12 at least once a year.