Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance
January 2007

FOREWORD

This publication is designed to alert school board members, administrators, business officials, and principals to new laws and changes in existing laws. The Alliance lobbying team has made every effort to identify which new acts to include. We recognize, however, that one or more acts may have escaped our attention. This publication, therefore, is not intended as a substitute for either a current version of the Illinois Compiled Statutes or legal counsel.

Please note the synopsis of each act is brief and may or may not encompass the full content or impact of the act. The synopsis is designed to call attention to statutory changes and additions that may merit further research.

Also included in this publication, where applicable, is the IASB Policy Service (PRESS) information regarding new legislation. If a new law requires action by the school board, the corresponding PRESS Policy number will follow the public act information.

OBTAINING PUBLIC ACTS

Official copies of acts are filed with the Index Division of the office of the Secretary of State. However, all text of public acts is now available on the internet at the General Assembly website.

HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT

Use the "search" or "find" feature of your browser to look for bill numbers or key words.

Boards of Education

HB 2734
Statement of Affairs Publication
Sponsors:
House: Eddy-Watson,J.-Black-McCarthy-Bassi
Senate: Righter-Axley-Althoff
Chapter Reference:
715 ILCS 15/1
Summary: The Act provides that the minimum rate shall be 20 cents per column line for each insertion of a document by an official body or board in a newspaper. It provides that the maximum rate for each insertion of a document by a public body or board in a newspaper shall not exceed the newspaper's annually published rate for comparable local advertising space.
Public Act: 94-0874
Effective Date: January 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 4:10, Fiscal and Business Management

HB 4310
Oath of Office for School Board Members
Sponsors:
House: Kosel
Senate: Pankau-Halvorson
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/10-16.5 new
105 ILCS 5/10-16.7 new
Summary: The Act contains a requirement that newly elected school board members take an oath of office – a form of the oath to be taken is contained in the legislation. It also states school board member duties as they relate to the superintendent – the school board shall direct, through policy, the superintendent in his or her charge of the administration of the school district concerning the budget, building plans, location of sites, selection, retention, and dismissal of employees, and the selection of textbooks, instructional material, and courses of study.
Public Act: 94-0881
Effective Date: June 20, 2006
PRESS Policy 2:50, Board Member Term of Office, 2:80, Board Member Oath and Conduct, 2:110, Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers
2:130, Board-Superintendent Relationship
2:210, Organizational School Board Meeting
2:240, Board Policy Development
3:10, Goals and Objectives
3:40, Superintendent

HB 4782
Excessive Idling of Diesel Vehicles
Sponsors:
House: Nekritz-Washington-Froehlich-May-Soto
Senate: Schoenberg-DeLeo-Raoul-Ronen-Lauzen
Chapter Reference:
625 ILCS 5/11-1429 new
Summary: The Act prohibits a vehicle using diesel fuel with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 8,000 pounds (including a school bus) from idling its engine for more than 10 minutes within any 60 minute period in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Will, Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe and the townships of Aux Sable and Goose Lake in Grundy County, the township of Oswego in Kendall County.
Public Act: 94-0845
Effective Date: July 1, 2006

HB 4832
Community Service Education Act
Sponsors:
House: Flider-Krause-Nekritz-Davis,M-Mathias
Senate: Watson,F.-Jones,W.-Axley-Althoff
Chapter Reference:
New Act
Summary: The Act creates the Community Service Education Act to allow a school district to establish and operate a community service education program that qualifies for a grant from the State Board of Education. The program is voluntary for school districts, but certain components of a program are recommended, including: the program should be mutually beneficial for the school district and community, the program makes school facilities available for citizen use, the program has local resident input, the program provides effective youth training and involvement.
Public Act: 94-0904
Effective Date: June 22, 2006

HB 5260
Prompt Payment Act
Sponsors:
House: Durkin-Lyons-Bradley,J.-Collins
Senate: Link-Althoff
Chapter Reference:
30 ILCS 540/3-2
30 ILCS 540/7
50 ILCS 505/3
50 ILCS 505/9
Summary: The Act amends the Local Government Prompt Payment Act, which applies to school districts. In a section requiring the appropriate official or agency receiving goods or services to approve or disapprove a bill from a vendor within certain time periods, it sets forth that if one or more items on a construction related bill or invoice are disapproved, but not the entire bill or invoice, then the portion that is not disapproved shall be paid. It further requires that certain interest payments to contractors to whom payment has been delayed shall be disbursed to subcontractors and material suppliers to whom payment has been delayed, on a pro rata basis.
Public Act: 94-0972
Effective Date: July 1, 2007.
PRESS Policy 4:50, Payment Procedures
4:50-AP, Exhibit – School District Payment Order
4:60, Purchases and Contracts
4:60-AP, Administrative Procedure – Purchases
4:150, Facility Management and Building Programs

HB 5375
Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse
Sponsors:
House: Chavez-Rose-Burke-Mendoza-Berrios
Senate: Hunter-Hendon-Collins-Martinez
Chapter Reference:
325 ILCS 5/4
Summary: The Act contains language regarding mandated reporting of child abuse or sex abuse of a minor. The Act states that "If an allegation is raised to a school board member during the course of an open or closed school board meeting that a child who is enrolled in the school district of which he or she is a board member is an abused child as defined in Section 3 of this Act, the member shall direct or cause the school board to direct the superintendent of the school district or other equivalent school administrator to comply with the requirements of this Act concerning the reporting of child abuse."
Public Act: 94-0888
Effective Date: June 20, 2006
PRESS Policy 2:20, Powers and Duties of the School Board
5:90, Abused and Neglected Child Reporting

SB 585
Open Meetings Act – Electronic Communication
Sponsors:
Senate: Cullerton-Jones,E.-Harmon
House: Flider-Jakobsson-Watson,J.
Chapter Reference:
5 ILCS 120/1.02
5 ILCS 120/2.01
5 ILCS 120/2.05
5 ILCS 120/2.06
5 ILCS 120/7 new
Summary: The Act amends the Open Meetings Act to redefine a "meeting" to include gatherings, whether in person or by telephone call, video or audio conference, electronic means (such as e-mail, chat, and instant messaging), or other means of contemporaneous interactive communication for the purpose of discussing public business. It requires that the number of public body members necessary to constitute a quorum must be physically present at an open meeting and permits participation and voting by other members by audio and video conference. The bill also requires that a quorum of members of a public body must be physically present at a closed meeting and permits participation and voting by other members by video or audio conference.
Public Act: 94-1058
Effective Date: January 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 2:10, School District Governance
2:110, Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers
2:140, Communications To and From the Board
2:150, Committees
2:220, Types of School Board Meetings
2:220, School Board Meeting Procedures

SB 1453
Design Firm Selection
Sponsors:
Senate: Schoenberg-Risinger
House: Miller-Yarbrough-Dunkin-Hamos
Chapter Reference:
50 ILCS 510/5
Summary: The Act eliminates the ability for a unit of local government to obtain fee information in proposals for services from architects, engineers, and land surveyors. Specifically, the bill states that "in no case shall a political subdivision, prior to selecting a firm for negotiation under Section 7, seek formal or informal submission of verbal or written estimates of costs or proposals in terms of dollars, hours required, percentage of construction cost, or any other measure of compensation". The selection of the design firm is supposed to be based on qualifications only; price, then, is to be negotiated afterwards.
Public Act: 94-1097
Effective Date: February 2, 2007
PRESS Policy 2:170, Procurement of Architectural, Engineering, and Long Surveying Services
2:170-AP, Administrative Procedure – Qualification Based Selection

SB 1497
Pre-School for All Program
Sponsors:
Senate: Lightford-Sandoval-Millner-Ronen-Trotter
House: Currie-Osterman-Dugan-Davis,M.
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.71
Summary: The Act contains the language for the Governor's "Pre-School for All Children" program by expanding the current preschool provisions in the School Code. The grants, based on the appropriations the legislature makes in a given year, will give first priority to at-risk children and second priority to qualified programs serving primarily children with a family income of less than 4 times the federally-defined poverty level. The provisions expire on June 30, 2008.
Public Act: 94-1054
Effective Date: July 25, 2006

SB 2191
Financial Literacy Instruction
Sponsors:
Senate: Collins-Raoul-Martinez-Munoz-Demuzio
House: Yarbrough-Davis,M.-Giles-Colvin-Turner
Chapter Reference:
30 ILCS 105/5.663 new
105 ILCS 5/27-12.1
Summary: The Act requires that, as a part of consumer education in high school, the instruction must include an understanding of the basic concepts of financial literacy, including installment purchasing, budgeting, savings and investing, banking, understanding simple contracts, State and federal income taxes, personal insurance policies, and the comparison of prices. It also creates the Financial Literacy Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to provide that all money in the fund shall be used by the State Board of Education to award grants to school districts for certain financial literacy purpose and allows a school board to establish a special fund, with moneys to be used for certain financial literacy purposes. Finally, the Act urges the State Board, upon the next comprehensive review of the Illinois Learning Standards, to include the basic principles of personal insurance policies and understanding simple contracts.
Public Act: 94-0929
Effective Date: June 26, 2006
PRESS Policy 6:60, Curriculum Content

SB 2303
Good Samaritan – First Aid
Sponsors:
Senate: Burzynski-Munoz
House: Myers-Sacia-Pritchard-Watson,J.-Bassi
Chapter Reference:
745 ILCS 49/67 new
Summary: The Act provides that any person who is certified in first aid by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, who in good faith provides medical care without fee to any person shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the person, in providing the care, be liable to a person to whom such care is provided for civil damages.
Public Act: 94-0825
Effective Date: July 1, 2006
PRESS Policy 4:170, Safety

SB 2455
Abandoned Newborns Education
Sponsors:
Senate: Trotter-Martinez-Collins-Harmon-Garrett
House: Coulson-Bellock-Delgado-Jenisch-Jakobsson
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/27-9.1
105 ILCS 110/3
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
Summary: The Act moves the provisions requiring course material and instruction to advise pupils of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act out of the sex education provisions of the School Code and into the health education provisions.
Public Act: 94-0933
Effective Date: June 26, 2006
PRESS Policy 6:60, Curriculum Content
6:60-AP, Comprehensive Health Education Program

SB 2477
Public Building Commission
Sponsors:
Senate: Shadid-Clayborne-Risinger
House: Currie-Schock-Moffitt-Leitch-Kelly-Davis,M.
Chapter Reference:
50 ILCS 20/3
Summary: The Act allows the Peoria school district to use the Public Building Commission.
Public Act: 94-1071
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

SB 2630
Bullying Prevention
Sponsors:
Senate: Lightford-Collins-Meeks-Harmon-Maloney
House: Lang-Yarbrough-Franks-Chapa LaVia-Jakobsson
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/27-23.7 new
Summary: The Act provides that each school district may make suitable provisions for instruction in bullying prevention in all grades and include such instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein. It allows a school board to collaborate with a community-based agency providing specialized curricula in bullying prevention whose ultimate outcome is to prevent sexual violence. The State Board of Education may assist in the development of instructional materials and teacher training in relation to bullying prevention.
Public Act: 94-0937
Effective Date: June 26, 2006
PRESS Policy 6:60, Curriculum Content

SB 2728
Meningitis Education Material
Sponsors:
Senate: Viverito-Hunter-Martinez-Lightford
House: Gordon-Graham-Schock-Dugan-Pihos
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 2310/2310-391 new
Summary: The Act requires the Department of Public Health to develop educational materials on meningitis for distribution in elementary and secondary schools.
Public Act: 94-0769
Effective Date: May 12, 2006

SB 2762
P.E. Exemption for Special Education
Sponsors:
Senate: Hunter
House: Rita-Molaro-Schock
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/27-6
Summary: The Act would allow some special education pupils in grades 3 through 12 to be excused from engaging in a physical education course if the pupil's parent or guardian agrees that the pupil must utilize the time set aside for physical education to receive special education support and services.
Public Act: 94-1098
Effective Date: February 2, 2007
PRESS Policy 6:310, Credit for Alternative Courses and Programs, and Course Substitutions

SB 2795
Reorganization of School Districts
Sponsors:
Senate: Shadid-del Valle-Demuzio-Sullivan-Risinger
House: Smith-Eddy-Giles-Mitchell,J.-Kosel
Chapter Reference:
10 ILCS 5/28-2
105 ILCS 5/1B-21
105 ILCS 5/5-32
105 ILCS 5/7-02
105 ILCS 5/7-6
105 ILCS 5/7-11
105 ILCS 5/9-11.2
105 ILCS 5/9-12
105 ILCS 5/10-10
105 ILCS 5/10-10.5 new
105 ILCS 5/10-11
105 ILCS 5/10-16
105 ILCS 5/10-21.12
105 ILCS 5/11C-6
105 ILCS 5/11C-9
105 ILCS 5/Art.11E heading new
105 ILCS 5/11E-5 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-10 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-15 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-20 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-25 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-30 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-35 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-40 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-45 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-50 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-55 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-60 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-65 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-70 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-75 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-80 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-85 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-90 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-95 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-100 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-105 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-110 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-115 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-120 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-125 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-130 new
105 ILCS 5/11E-135 new
105 ILCS 5/18-8.05
105 ILCS 5/19-1
105 ILCS 5/20-2
105 ILCS 5/Art. 7A rep.
105 ILCS 5/Art. 11A rep.
105 ILCS 5/Art. 11B rep.
105 ILCS 5/Art. 11D rep.
105 ILCS 5/18-8.2 rep.
105 ILCS 5/18-8.3 rep.
105 ILCS 5/18-8.5 rep.
105 ILCS 555/5
Summary: The Act contains the Governor's school district reorganization proposal. According to the Governor, the bill is designed to "add greater flexibility and efficiency to the reorganization process, only include options that ensure any reorganization will be approved by the voters, ensure no reorganization will raise taxes without a approval by voters in affected districts, and consolidate Articles 7A, 11A, 11B, and 11D of the School Code into new Article 11E". The Act will:

• Eliminate minimum EAV and population requirements for formation of unit districts and school district combinations
• Eliminate size limits for school district conversions
• Authorize elementary districts within the same high school district to consolidate even if they are not contiguous
• Allow a unit district to be formed from a high school district and any elementary district that approves consolidation (may only be formed from dual territory with tax rates suggesting the newly formed district can be viable at unit district rates)
• Allow a high school district to combine with a unit district as long as both districts approve and are physically contiguous
• Standardize requirements for resident signatures or board approval of petitions for all types of reorganizations and
• Standardize hearing requirements and review and approval by the Regional Office of Education for all types of reorganizations

SB 2796
Special Education Due Process
Sponsors:
Senate: del Valle
House: Giles-Eddy-Black-McCarthy-Davis,M.
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/14-8.02
105 ILCS 5/14-8.02a
105 ILCS 5/14-8.02b
105 ILCS 5/14-12.01
105 ILCS 5/14-8.02c new
105 ILCS 5/14-8.02d new
Summary: The Act would make significant changes to the due process hearing procedures for special education students. Changes are made concerning the identification, evaluation, and placement of children; the impartial due process hearing procedure; the expedited hearing procedure; the selection, training, evaluation, and retention of hearing officers and other matters concerning hearing officers; and the evaluation of the impartial due process hearing system.
Public Act: 94-1100
Effective Date: February 2, 2007
PRESS Policy 6:120, Education of Children with Disabilities
7:230, Misconduct by Students with Disabilities

SB 2898
Self Administration of Medication - Allergies
Sponsors:
Senate: Hunter-Raoul-Trotter-Martinez
House: Flowers-Eddy-Froehlich-Chapa LaVia
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/22-30
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
Summary: In provisions that require a public or nonpublic school to permit the self-administration of medication by a pupil with asthma, the Act adds the requirement that the school also permit the self-administration of medication by a pupil with allergies by the use of an epinephrine auto-injector.
Public Act: 94-0792
Effective Date: May 19, 2006
PRESS Policy 7:270, Administering Medicines to Students
7:270-AP, Dispensing Medication
7:270-E, School Medication Authorization Form

SB 3086
Eminent Domain
Sponsors:
Senate: Garrett-Cronin-Millner-Collins-Schoenberg
House: Bradley-Franks-Washington-Winters-Lindner
Chapter Reference: New Act
5 ILCS 70/10 new
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-3
735 ILCS 5/7-115.5 new
735 ILCS 5/7-121
735 ILCS 5/7-122
Summary: The Act makes changes regarding Eminent Domain (the right of a government or municipal quasi-public body to acquire private property for public use). It prohibits all takings under the power of eminent domain by the State or a unit of local government for private development unless the property is within an area that is a "blighted area" and the condemning authority has entered into a written agreement with a private person or entity that agrees to undertake a development project within the blighted area that specifically detains the reasons for which the property or rights in the property are necessary for the success of the development project. It provides that in all eminent domain actions in which a property owner is dislocated, the dislocated entity must pay certain costs associated with the relocation and displacement of the property owner's residence, business, or farm operation. In addition, this law requires reimbursement of the property owner for certain relocation costs.
Public Act: 94-1055
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

Elections

SB 1445
Grace Period, Early and Absentee Voting
Sponsors:
Senate: Link
House: Currie-Kelly-Hannig-Osterman-May
Chapter Reference:
10 ILCS 5/1-9 new
10 ILCS 5/1A-35 new
10 ILCS 5/4-50
10 ILCS 5/5-50
10 ILCS 5/6-100
10 ILCS 5/7-60
10 ILCS 5/9-9.5
10 ILCS 5/13-1
10 ILCS 5/13-2
10 ILCS 5/14-3.1
10 ILCS 5/17-9
10 ILCS 5/18-5
10 ILCS 5/18A-15
10 ILCS 5/19-2.1
10 ILCS 5/19-4
10 ILCS 5/19-8
10 ILCS 5/19-9 rep.
10 ILCS 5/19-12.2
10 ILCS 5/19-13
10 ILCS 5/19-15
10 ILCS 5/19-20 new
10 ILCS 5/19A-21 new
10 ILCS 5/19A-25.5
10 ILCS 5/19A-35
10 ILCS 5/19A-50
10 ILCS 5/19A-55 rep.
10 ILCS 5/19A-60
10 ILCS 5/20-2
10 ILCS 5/20-2.1
10 ILCS 5/20-2.2
10 ILCS 5/20-2.3
10 ILCS 5/20-4
10 ILCS 5/20-8
10 ILCS 5/20-9 rep.
10 ILCS 5/20-15
10 ILCS 5/20-20 new
10 ILCS 5/24-1
10 ILCS 5/24A-9
10 ILCS 5/24A-10
10 ILCS 5/24A-10.1
10 ILCS 5/24A-15
10 ILCS 5/24A-16
10 ILCS 5/24B-9
10 ILCS 5/24B-10
10 ILCS 5/24B-10.1
10 ILCS 5/24B-15
10 ILCS 5/24B-16
10 ILCS 5/24C-9
10 ILCS 5/24C-13
10 ILCS 5/24C-15
10 ILCS 5/24C-16
Summary: The Act makes numerous changes to the election code including:

• Sets forth numerous changes to the procedures provided for early voting, grace period voting, absentee voting and provisional ballots. The changes include how the ballots are to be treated, where they are counted, how they are reported and how they are disposed of. It also sets forth provisions for pollwatchers for these types of voting.
• A provision that requires political committees to disclose who is paying for pamphlets, circulars, handbills, Internet & phone communications; radio, print, or television advertisements; and, any other communication. This would include disclosure of the political committee paying for the communication that mentions the name of a candidate without their permission and advocating for or against a public policy position.
• A provision that disallows use of telephone identification blockers when contacting residential telephone customers.
• Moving from May to July when election judges are chosen by the election commission.
• A provision that requires all units of local government (except schools) to make the unit's buildings available as early voting polling places without charge.
• Provisions governing the testing and approval of voting equipment.

Personnel

HB 3752
Minimum Wage Increase "Clean Up"
Sponsors:
House: Mendoza-Munson-Washington-Bradley,J.-Berrios
Senate: Delgado-Collins
Chapter Reference:
820 ILCS 105/4
Summary: The Act would make "clean up" changes to SB 1268 (Public Act 94-1072) which increased the minimum wage. It would allow an employer to pay an employee, during the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the employee is initially employed by the employer, a wage that is not more than 50¢ less than the minimum wage. It would require an employer to pay not less than the full minimum wage to a day or temporary laborer who is 18 years of age or older and to an employee who is 18 years of age or older and whose employment is occasional or irregular and requires not more than 90 days to complete.
At the time of publication, the bill had not been considered by the Governor.

HB 4125
Speech Therapy Treatment
Sponsors:
House: Flowers-Daniels-Bellock-Jenisch-D'Amico
Senate: Garrett-Millner-Link-Ronen-Cronin
Chapter Reference:
215 ILCS 5/370c
215 ILS 125/5-3
Summary: The Act requires new insurance coverage for employers to provide. It provides that a group health benefit plan shall provide coverage for 20 additional outpatient visits for speech therapy for treatment of pervasive developmental disorders that will be in addition to speech therapy provided pursuant to other outpatient treatment coverage required by this Act.
Public Act: 94-0906
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

HB 4202
Insurance Coverage for Mental Illness
Sponsors:
House: Lang-Bellock-Flowers-Yarbrough-Graham
Senate: Jones,E-Collins-Hunter-Crotty-Martinez
Chapter Reference:
215 ILCS 5/370c
Summary: The Act requires that a group health benefit plan provide coverage for 60 visits (current law requires 35 visits) for outpatient treatment of mental illness.
Public Act: 94-0921
Effective Date: June 26, 2006

HB 4463
Pension Credit for Teacher Aide
Sponsors:
House: Meyer-Ramey-Brady-Brauer-Coulson
Senate: Dillard
Chapter Reference:
40 ILCS 5/20-109
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
Summary: The Act amends the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act of the Illinois Pension Code. In the definition of "pension credit", it provides that the one-year limitation does not apply to persons who move from participation with a school district as a teacher aide under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article to participation under the Downstate Teacher Article of the Code.
Public Act: 94-0834
Effective Date: June 6, 2006

HB 4541
Chicago Principal Pension Eligibility
Sponsors:
House: Davis,M.-McAuliffe-D'Amico-Lyons
Senate: Martinez
Chapter Reference:
40 ILCS 5/17-106.1
Summary: The Act defines the term "administrator" as it pertains to the Chicago Public School pension code to include those employed in a position that requires the employee to use a Type 75 Certificate issued by the State Teacher Certification Board; those not included on the salary schedule for Chicago teachers; and, those paid on the administrative payroll.
Public Act: 94-0912
Effective Date: June 23, 2006

HB 4987
Behavior Analyst
Sponsors:
House: Brauer-Froehlich-Franks-Eddy-Mitchell,J.
Senate: Bomke-Crotty-Halvorson-Collins
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/14-1.10
105 ILCS 5/14-1.09d new
Summary: The Act amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code to include in the definition of "professional worker" a school behavior analyst.
Public Act: 94-0948
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

HB 5331
TRS Annuitant Work Days
Sponsors:
House: Eddy-Mitchell,J.-Pritchard-Kosel-Reis
Senate: Righter-Althoff
Chapter Reference:
40 ILCS 5/16-118
Summary: The Act allows TRS annuitants to work for a school district for 120 paid days or 600 paid hours in each school year through June 30, 2011. The law was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2006.
Public Act: 94-0914
Effective Date: June 23, 2006

SB 36
Pension Changes
Sponsors:
Senate: Martinez-Winkel-Hunter
House: Madigan-Hannig-Smith-Joyce-Davis, M.
Chapter Reference:
40 ILCS 5/14-103.05
40 ILCS 5/14-104
40 ILCS 5/16-106
40 ILCS 5/16-158
40 ILCS 5/17-133
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
Summary: The Act makes several changes to the pension code. It provides that an officer or employee of a statewide teacher organization or officer of a national teacher organization who is a certified teacher may establish service credit for similar employment prior to becoming certified as a teacher under certain conditions. It also contains language so school districts that consolidated in 2005 are exempt from the 6% salary limitation provisions of the pension code. Other provisions allow a purchase of pension service credit for up to 2 years of employment by a private school for Chicago teachers and a change in the definition of "teacher" to include any person employed, on the effective date of this amendatory Act, by the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education in a birth-through-age-three pilot program receiving funds under certain provisions of the School Code who is required by the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education to hold a teaching certificate.
At the time of publication, the bill had not been considered by the Governor.

SB 49
Pension Changes to 6% Salary Limit
Sponsors:
Senate: Schoenbeg-Harmon-Demuzio-Raoul-Collins
House: Gordon-Hoffman-Colvin-Rietz-Dugan
Chapter Reference:
40 ILCS 5/14-108.3
40 ILCS 5/15-155
40 ILCS 5/15-168.1
40 ILCS 5/16-128
40 ILCS 5/16-158
40 ILCS 5/16-169.1
Summary: The Act addresses some of the consequences of last year's SB 27 (Public Act 94-0004) – specifically exempting some salary components from the 6% salary limitation. The Act: states that a school district reorganization constitutes a change in employment, thus exempting the salary from the 6% limitation

• gives the local school district an opportunity to dispute the TRS penalty calculation places a July 1, 2011 expiration date on the changes
• exempts from the 6% salary limitation "overload" work salary
• exempts from the 6% salary limitation salary increases from an in-district promotion that requires a change in certificates.
• exempts from the 6% salary limitation salary paid to a teacher when the teacher is 10 or more years from retirement eligibility
• exempts from the 6% salary limitation salary paid to a teacher from the State over which the school district has no discretion (Master Teacher stipend)
• requires TRS to prepare a report that gives details of the costs and payments of the program
• gives school districts 90 days (instead of 30 days) to pay the contribution to TRS. A school district may go beyond 90 days (up to 3 years) to make the payment, but would be assessed an 8 ½ % interest charge by TRS.

SB 859
Teacher Certification Revocation
Sponsors:
Senate: Maloney-Jones,E.-Harmon-Collins-Axley
House: Dugan-Franks-Chapa LaVia
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/21-23
Summary: The Act includes under the reasons to revoke a teacher's certificate, the failure to disclose on an employment application any previous conviction for a sex offense.
Public Act: 94-0991
Effective Date: January 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 5:30, Hiring Process and Criteria
5:30-AP2, Investigations

SB 860
Principal Mentoring and Evaluation
Sponsors:
Senate: Demuzio-Jones,E.
House: Smith-Mitchell-Davis,M-Eddy-Pritchard
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a new
105 ILCS 5/10-23.8a
105 ILCS 5/21-5e new
105 ILCS 5/21-7.5 new
105 ILCS 5/21-7.10 new
105 ILCS 5/21-7.15 new
105 ILCS 5/24A-15 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.33 new
Summary: The Act restructures the processes for the mentoring, evaluation, and induction of new principals in Illinois. This act contains the following components:

• Establishes a new principal mentoring program in July 1, 2007 to allow experienced principals to serve as mentors to new principals during their first year as principal (subject to annual appropriations)
• Any principal hired on or after July 1, 2007 must participate in the mentor program for the duration of his/her first year as principal
• Principals serving as mentors must have a minimum of three years of experience as a successful, instructional leader, attend mentor training sessions, and meet other requirements as stipulated by the Illinois State Board of Education
• The mentor and new principal will complete a verification form developed by the Illinois State Board of Education to certify mentor program completion
• An assistant principal acting under an administrative certificate for 5 or more years hired on or after July 1, 2007 as a principal by the same school district where he/she served as assistant principal may opt to participate in the mentor program. The employing school district may require participation of this principal in the mentoring program.
• Recommends that continuing professional development for renewal of an administrative certificate must include:
• Completion of an Administrators' Academy course in each of the 6 Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium standard areas in the first five years of serving as an administrator in a position that requires certification
• If the certificate holder evaluates certified staff, he/she must complete a one-day teacher evaluation course and participate in an additional 6 hours of Administrators' Academy-approved coursework
• Introduces a "Master Principal" designation program
• Requires each school district to establish a principal evaluation plan that must include the job duties and the standards to which the principal is expected to conform
• The evaluation, in writing, must be conducted by the superintendent, his/her designee, or a school board member who holds a registered Type 75 State administrative certificate
• Provides that failure to evaluate a principal at least once in the final year of the principal's contract by February 1st of each year is evidence that the principal is performing his/her duties and responsibilities in at least a satisfactory manner. Failure to evaluate by the February 1^st date automatically extends the principal's contract for a period of one year beyond the expiration date of the contract;
• Creates an alternative route to administrative certification for certain National Board certified teachers on or before July 1, 2007.

SB 862
Certification for Pre-K Teachers
Sponsors:
Senate: del Valle-Jones,E-Millner
House: Soto-Bradley,R.-Ryg-May-Jacobsson
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/21-2.1
Summary: The Act, regarding the student teaching portion of the early childhood teaching certificate, would allow for the student (or candidate) to be under the active supervision of a teacher who is qualified in "self-contained, general elementary education". It also would provide that all candidates for the early childhood certificate (instead of just paraprofessionals) with at least one year of experience in a school or community-based early childhood setting who are enrolled in early-childhood teacher preparation programs may be paid and receive credit while student teaching with their current employer, provided that their student teaching experience meets the requirements of their early-childhood teacher preparation program.
At the time of publication, the bill had not been considered by the Governor.

SB 1268
Minimum Wage Increase
Sponsors:
Senate: Lightford-Forby-Collins-Ronen-Martinez
House: Colvin-McKeon-Lang-Soto-Graham
Chapter Reference:
820 ILCS 105/4
820 ILCS 105/6
Summary: The Act increases the minimum wage to $7.50 on July 1, 2007, $7.75 on July 1, 2008, $8.00 on July 1, 2009, and $8.25 on July 1, 2010. The law provides that, in lieu of the minimum wage, an employer may pay an employee, during the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the employee is initially employed by the employer, a wage that is not more than 50¢ less than the minimum wage.
Public Act: 94-1072
Effective: July 1, 2007

SB 2202
Early Childhood Certificate
Sponsors:
Senate: del Valle-Raoul-Ronen-Schoenberg-Lightford
House: Soto-Eddy-Yarbrough-Colvin-Osterman
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/21-2.1
Summary: With respect to an early childhood certificate, the Act provides that the student teaching portion of the practical experience requirement may involve supervised work with children under 6 years of age or with children in kindergarten through grade 3 or both – provided that the student is under the active supervisions of a cooperating teacher who is certified and qualified in early childhood education. It also provides that paraprofessionals with at least one year of experience in a school or community-based early childhood setting who are enrolled in early-childhood teacher preparation programs may be paid and receive credit while student teaching with their current employer.
Public Act: 94-1034
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

SB 2339
Minimum Wage Employer Penalties
Sponsors:
Senate: del Valle-Sandoval
House: Delgado-McKeon-Soto-Washington-Golar
Chapter Reference:
820 ILCS 105/3
820 ILCS 105/7
820 ILCS 105/12
820 ILCS 115/2
820 ILCS 115/14
Summary: The Act provides legal recourse for employees that have not been paid full minimum wage. It also includes penalties to be paid to the Department of Labor (up to 20% of wages owed) and to the employee (up to 2% of underpayment per month) by employers who willfully disregard this Act or any rules promulgated under this Act.
Public Act: 94-1025
Effective Date: July 14, 2006

SB 2449
Illinois Skills Match System
Sponsors:
Senate: Pankau-Haine
House: Munson-Kosel-Boland-McGuire-Feigenholtz
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 1005/1005-47 new
Summary: The Act requires state agencies to post employment vacancies on the "Skills Match System" and requires the Department of Central Management Services to provide an online link to its State employment information and career services web page. The Act encourages school districts, other local governments and private employers to also post employment vacancies on the system.
Public Act: 94-0786
Effective Date: July 1, 2007

School Finance

HB 1918
Horse Racing Receipts to Education Fund
Sponsors:
House: Molaro-Hoffman-Washington
Senate: Clayborne-Hendon-Jones,W.
Chapter Reference:
30 ILCS 105/8h
230 ILCS 5/54.5 new
230 ILCS 10/7
230 ILCS 10/13
230 ILCS 10/23
Summary: The Act creates a new Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund for the horse racing industry. It requires the legislature to appropriate moneys from the General Revenue Fund into the Education Assistance Fund in an amount equal to the amount paid into the Horse Racing Equity Fund in the prior calendar year.
Public Act: 94-0804
Effective Date: May 26, 2006

HB 3650
Digital Divide Elimination Working Group
Sponsors:
House: Howard-Patterson-Munson-Colvin-Yarbrough
Senate: Harmon-Raoul-del Valle-Dillard-Trotter
Chapter Reference:
New Act
30 ILCS 780/5-30
30 ILCS 780/5-45
Summary: The Act makes changes to the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law, under which school districts are eligible for grants. It increases the amount of grant amounts that Community Technology Centers may receive from $50,000 to $75,000 and creates a Digital Divide Elimination Working Group to review the grant programs and to identify revenue sources.
Public Act: 94-0734
Effective Date: April 28, 2006

HB 4365
Cooperative High Schools Incentives
Sponsors:
House: Black-Brauer-Watson,J.-Eddy-Giles
Senate: Haine-Winkel-Clayborne-Crotty
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/18-8.2
105 ILCS 5/18-8.5
Summary: The Act allows cooperative high schools be eligible to receive funding from the school district consolidation incentive funding line item.
Public Act: 94-0902
Effective Date: July 1, 2006

HB 5343
School Activity Travel Account
Sponsors:
House: Watson, J.
Senate: Demuzio
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 2405/13
Summary: The Act provides that the Department of Human Services has the authority to maintain and deposit into locally held accounts certain school fees and certain student-generated revenues and to use those fees and revenues to pay related expenses. It provides that these locally held accounts may not exceed $20,000 per account (now, may not exceed $10,000 per facility). The Act further authorizes the Department to advance moneys from its appropriations to establish (i) a "Student Compensation Account" to pay students for work performed under the student work program, and (ii) a "Student Activity Travel Account" to pay transportation, meals, and lodging costs of students, coaches, and activity sponsors while traveling off campus for sporting events, lessons, and other activities directly associated with the representation of the school.
Public Act: 94-0887
Effective Date: June 20, 2006

SB 14
Budget Fund Transfers
Sponsors:
Senate: Trotter-Harmon-Hunter-Silverstein-Collins
House: Hoffman-Turner-Collins-Ryg
Chapter Reference:
30 ILCS 105/8h
30 ILCS 105 8j
30 ILCS 105/8n new
Summary: The Act is a part of the final budget package for Fiscal Year 2007. It redirects State funds that were "swept" over the last two years but that were never released by the State Treasurer. According to the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, the law directs the Treasurer and Comptroller to perform certain transfers of up to $250,000,000 into each to the Drug Rebate Fund, Hospital Provider Fund, and the Long Term Care Provider Fund (which will in turn generate an equal amount in federal Medicaid reimbursement), completing these transactions will reduce the payment cycles to providers paid by these funds by as many as twenty-two days, which will in turn reduce prompt payments interest penalties paid to providers.
Public Act: 94-0774
Effective Date: May 19, 2006

SB 176
Budget Implementation (Education)
Sponsors:
Senate: Schoenberg-Demuzio-Wilhelmi-Sullivan
House: Hannig-Granberg-Giles
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 3915/4.5 new
30 ILCS 105/6z-67
105 ILCS 5/2-3.65a new
105 ILCS 5/2-3.131
105 ILCS 5/18-8.05
Summary: The Act contains language to implement the education-related provisions of the budget. The Act:

• allows for the Transition Assistance payment to school districts to guarantee that no school district receives less State funding in Fiscal Year 2007 than it did in FY ‘06
• increases the State education foundation level by $170 per pupil (from $5,164 to $5,334)
• retains the poverty grant payment level at 100%
• establishes procedures to distribute the Arts Education funding increase

SB 230
Budget Implementation (Revenue)
Sponsors:
Senate: Harmon-Trotter
House: Currie-Reitz
Chapter Reference:
35 ILCS 5/905
35 ILCS 5/911
220 ILCS 5/8-403.1
Summary: The Act contains language to implement the revenue-related provisions of the budget. It amends the Income Tax Act regarding how corporate taxpayers report losses, and makes changes as to when a qualified solid waste energy facility (QSWEF) must reimburse the Public Utility Fund. The Department of Revenue estimates that the provisions amending the Illinois Income Tax Act will generate approximately $15,000,000 per year in additional income tax revenues. The provisions amending the Public Utilities Act will generate savings that would be small in fiscal year 2007, but would gradually increase each year. The average annual savings over the next 10 years would be approximately $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 and approximately $28,900,000 per year thereafter.
Public Act: 94-0836
Effective Date: June 6, 2006

SB 380
Debt Limit Increases
Sponsors:
Senate: Cronin-Harmon-Crotty-Lightford-Meeks
House: Lindner-Cross-Froehlich-McCarthy-Kosel
Chapter Reference:
35 ILCS 200/18-185
35 ILCS 200/18-190.5
65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.2
105 ILCS 5/5-1
105 ILCS 5/17-9.02 new
105 ILCS 5/19-1
Summary The Act increases the debt limit for Oswego C.U.S.D. #308 and Lincoln-Way CHSD #210; increases the debt limit for Ford Heights S.D. #169 and allows the district to levy a supplemental tax; allows Oak Park-River Forest SD #200, Oak Park ESD #97, and River Forest SD #90 to withdraw from the jurisdiction and authority of the township trustees/treasurer of schools; and allows the village of Forsyth to increase its' sales tax rate with receipts going to a new school for the Maroa-Forsyth school district.
Public Act: 94-1078
Effective Date: January 9, 2007

SB 857
Debt Limit Raised for Millstadt School District
Sponsors:
Senate: Clayborne-Jones,E.-Luechtefeld
House: Reitz-Younge
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/19-1
Summary: The Act increases the debt limit for the Millstadt school district.
Public Act: 94-0952
Effective Date: June 27, 2006
SB 1520
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007
Sponsors:
Senate: Trotter-Schoenberg-Hunter-Collins
House: Madigan-Hannig-Burke-Davis,M.
Summary: The Act contains the omnibus appropriations for all of State government for Fiscal Year 2007. For elementary and secondary education, the bill provides an increase of approximately $416 million over FY '06. Specifically, the Act:

• Increases the foundation level by $170 per pupil to a total of $5,334 per pupil ($238 was needed to reach this level)
• Prorates mandated categorical grant funding at the same level as FY '06 ($56 million was needed to reach this level)
• Increases the School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant (ADA Block Grant) by $10 million over FY '06
• Increases the Early Childhood Block Grant by $45 million over FY '06. This is necessary to fund the Governor's universal pre-school program
• Provides that the "poverty grant" would be funded at 100%
• Provides "transition assistance" funding of $11.8 million. This is to guarantee that no school district can receive less State funding in FY '07 than it did in FY '06
• Increases the Teacher Education/National Board Certification line item by nearly $5 million over FY '06
• Increases the bilingual education line item by $4.5 million over FY '06
• Increases the After School and Student Support Programs/Mentoring program funding by nearly $12 million over FY '06
• Increases the Arts and Foreign Language line item by $2 million over FY '06
• Increases the summer school line item by $500,000 over FY '06
• Increases the Alternative Learning/Regional Safe Schools line item by $500,000 over FY '06
• Increases the Truant Alternative Optional Education line item by $500,000 over FY '06
• Increases the Agriculture Education line item by $500,000 over FY '06
• Increases the Career and Technical Education line item by $500,000 over FY '06
• Increases the District Consolidation costs line item by $150,000 over FY '06
  Several new line items are established in SB 1520, including:
• $10 million for a new class size reduction grant necessary to fund the Governor's pilot program for class size reduction (contained in SB 2882)
• $5 million for grants to law enforcement agencies for school security
• $5 million for the School Technology Revolving Loan Fund that was "zeroed out" last year and not funded.
• $3 million for the "Children's Mental Health Partnership"
• $2 million for the Teacher Mentoring Pilot Project
• $1 million for costs associated with a Bullying Prevention program established in SB 2630
• $800,000 for a new principal mentoring program established in SB 860
• $500,000 for "Regional Superintendent Initiatives"
• $500,000 for "Building with Books"
• $500,000 for implementation of the ISBE's strategic plan
• $100,000 for "Autism Training and Technical Assistance"

SB 1863
Budget Implementation (Health Services)
Sponsors:
Senate: Hunter-Schoenberg-Clayborne-Martinez-Raoul
House: Currie-Washington-Turner-Collins
Chapter Reference:
5 ILCS 100/5-45
5 ILCS 100/5-46.2 new
305 ILCS 5/5-5.4
305 ILCS 5/5A-2
305 ILCS 5/5A-12.1
305 ILCS 5/12-4.36 new
305 ILCS 5/5-5.22 rep.
Summary: The Act contains language to implement the health services-related provisions of the budget – mostly related to Medicare and Medicaid payments. The Governor's Office of Management and Budget estimates that the Act will have a fiscal impact of at least $100 million, which will be necessary to enact a balanced budget.
Public Act: 94-0838
Effective Date: June 6, 2006

SB 1977
Budget Implementation (Fund Transfers)
Sponsors:
Senate: Schoenberg-Trotter-Collins
House: Madigan-Hannig
Chapter Reference:
5 ILCS 375/6.10
5 ILCS 375/10
5 ILCS 375/13.1
20 ILCS 605/605-812 new
20 ILCS 687/6-4
20 ILCS 689/20
20 ILCS 1705/18.4
20 ILCS 3948/50
20 ILCS 3958/10
20 ILCS 3958/15
20 ILCS 3958/20
20 ILCS 3958/25
25 ILCS 120/2
30 ILCS 105/5.663 new
30 ILCS 105/5.664 new
30 ILCS 105/6p-5
30 ILCS 105/6z-32
30 ILCS 105/6z-63
30 ILCS 105/6z-64
30 ILCS 105/8.3
30 ILCS 105/8.16c
30 ILCS 105/8.43
30 ILCS 105/8.44
30 ILCS 105/8.45 new
30 ILCS 105/8.55
30 ILCS 105/8g
30 ILCS 105/8h
30 ILCS 105/13.2
30 ILCS 105/5.344 rep.
30 ILCS 105/5.664 new
30 ILCS 122/10
30 ILCS 122/15
30 ILCS 122/20 new
30 ILCS 122/25
30 ILCS 605/7b
30 ILCS 605/7c new
35 ILCS 5/901
35 ILCS 130/2
35 ILCS 505/8
40 ILCS 5/2-124
40 ILCS 5/14-108.6
40 ILCS 5/14-131
40 ILCS 5/15-155
40 ILCS 5/16-158
40 ILCS 5/18-131
40 ILCS 15/1.7 new
40 ILCS 5/22-101
40 ILCS 5/22-103 new
70 ILCS 3615/4.02
70 ILCS 3615/4.02a new
70 ILCS 3615/4.02b new
70 ILCS 3615/4.13
105 ILCS 5/3-12
230 ILCS 10/13
305 ILCS 5/5A-8
310 ILCS 65/8
625 ILCS 5/18c-1603
625 ILCS 5/18c-1604
725 ILCS 185/33
730 ILCS 5/3-14-6
730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.8
730 ILCS 110/15
730 ILCS 110/15.1
730 ILCS 5/2-1009A
820 ILCS 305/4
Summary: The Act contains language to allow for "fund sweeps" from hundreds of dedicated State funds into the State's General Revenue Fund. The Governor's Office of Management and Budget estimates that the Act will have a fiscal impact of at least $240 million, which was necessary to enact a balanced budget.
Public Act: 94-0839
Effective Date: June 6, 2006

School Safety and Health

HB 4193
Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act
Sponsors:
House: Fritchey-Colvin-Miller-Froehlich-Delgado
Senate: del Valle-Harmon
Chapter Reference:
New Act
20 ILCS 2605/2605-35
30 ILCS 105/5.663 new
105 ILCS 5/10-21.9
105 ILCS 5/34-18.5
325 ILCS 40/6
730 ILCS 150/2
730 ILCS 150/8
730 ILCS 150/9
730 ILCS 152/101
Summary: The Act creates the Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Among the many new requirements under the Act, it requires law enforcement officials to notify school districts if a resident of the school district has registered as a violent offender against youth. It also requires school districts, before hiring applicants for employment, to check the newly created Statewide Child Murder and Violent Offender Against Youth Database, in addition to the statewide sex offender data base.
Public Act: 94-0945
Effective Date: June 27, 2006
PRESS Policy 4:170, Safety
4:170-AP2, Administrative Procedure – Criminal Offender Notification Laws
5:30, Hiring Process and Criteria
5:30-AP2, Administrative Procedure - Investigations
6:250, Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
6:250-AP, Administrative Procedure – Securing and Screening Resource Persons and Volunteers
6:250-E, Exhibit – Volunteer Information Form and Waiver of Liability
8:30, Visitors to and Conduct on School Property
8:30-AP, Administrative Procedure – Definition of Child Sex Offender
8:30-E1, Exhibit – Letter to Parent Regarding Visits to School by Child Sex Offenders
8:30-E2, Exhibit – Child Sex Offender's Request for Permission to Visit School Property

HB 4222
Sex Offenders-Monitoring
Sponsors:
House: Watson,J-Poe-Kosel-Ramey-Meyer
Senate: Haine-Demuzio-Harmon-Collins
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 2630/8
730 ILCS 5/3-3-7
730 ILCS 5/5-8A-6 new
730 ILCS 150/8-5
730 ILCS 150/10
Summary: The Act provides that the Department of State Police shall develop official information relating to the number of sexual offenders and sexual predators who are placed on parole, mandatory supervised release, or extended mandatory supervised release and who are subject to electronic monitoring. For sexual offenders with electronic monitoring, it provides that the Department of Corrections must use a system that actively monitors and identifies the offender's current location and timely reports or records the offender's presence and that alerts the Department of the offender's presence within a prohibited area. In an effort to ensure that sexual predators and sex offenders who fail to respond to address-verification attempts or who otherwise abscond from registration are located in a timely manner, the Department of State Police shall share information with local law enforcement agencies.
Public Act: 94-0988
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

HB 4298
Sex Offender Task Force
Sponsors:
House: Verschoore-Flider-Bradley-Beiser-Schock
Senate: Jacobs
Chapter Reference:
New Act
Summary: The Act creates the Interstate Sex Offender Task Force to examine: (1) the systems of communication between states regarding the interstate movement of registered sex offenders; (2) the laws of Illinois and its border states that restrict and affect where convicted or registered sex offenders may reside; (3) the extent to which law enforcement resources are affected by residency restrictions; and (4) the impact of residency restrictions on the parole, mandatory supervised release, and probation systems in Illinois. The Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2007.
Public Act: 94-0989
Effective Date: July 3, 2006

HB 5249
Sex Offender-Day Care
Sponsors:
House: Meyer-Durkin-Coulson-Schock
Senate: Dillard-Althoff
Chapter Reference:
720 ILCS 5/11-9.4
Summary: The Act prohibits a child sex offender from residing within 500 feet of a child care institution, day care center, or a part-day child care facility. Under the provision that prohibits a child sex offender from working at certain child care facilities, it specifically adds day care center, part-day child care facility, child care institution, or school providing before and after school programs for children under 18 years of age, to the list of facilities under the prohibition.
Public Act: 94-0925
Effective Date: June 26, 2006
PRESS Policy 4:170, Safety

HB 5416
Inspection and Review of School Facilities
Sponsors:
House: Mathias-Moffitt-Osmond-Dugan-Froehlich
Senate: Link
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.137
105 ILCS 5/3-14.21
Summary: Regarding the inspection and review of school facilities, the bill provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt rules for qualifications of persons performing the reviews and inspections, which must be consistent with the recommendations of the task force established for this purpose. The persons performing the review or inspection must have at least 2 years of relevant experience. If the municipality, county, or fire protection district wishes to perform new construction inspections under the jurisdiction of the regional superintendent of schools, the entity must register with the regional superintendent and the inspections must be based on the building code authorized in the School Code at no cost to the school district.
Public Act: 94-0973
Effective Date: January 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 4:170, Safety
4:170-E7, Exhibit – Annual School Safety Review

SB 3016
Sex Offender Registration
Sponsors:
Senate: Dillard-Jones,E.-Cronin-Radogno-Risinger
House: Granberg-Schock-Bellock-Bradley-Holbrook
Chapter Reference:
730 ILCS 150/3
730 ILCS 152/115
730 ILCS 152/120
Summary: Among many new changes to the Sex Offender Registration Act, the bill requires the principal or teacher of a public or private elementary or secondary school to notify the parents of children attending the school during school registration or during parent-teacher conferences that information about sex offenders is available to the public as provided in the Act.
Public Act: 94-0994
Effective Date: January 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 4:170, Safety

State Board of Education

HB 4308
Teaching Excellence Program
Sponsors:
House: Mitchell,J.-Jones-May-Ryg-Howard
Senate: Sieben
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/21-27
Summary: The Act requires the State Board of Education's annual budget to set out by separate line item the appropriation for the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program.
Public Act: 94-0901
Effective Date: June 22, 2006

HB 4986
Agricultural Education and FFA
Sponsors:
House: Moffitt-Flowers-Brauer-Mitchell,J.-Phelps
Senate: Sullivan-Sieben-Demusio-Wilhelmi-Forby
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.80
Summary: The Act provides specificity for what must be included in secondary school agricultural education programs that are approved for State and federal funding including an affiliated FFA chapter. However, no program in place prior to the effective date of this law will be kept from continuing to operate or from receiving funding.
Public Act: 94-0855
Effective Date: January 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 6:60, Curriculum Content

HB 5550
Textbook Loans
Sponsors:
House: Giles-Davis,M
Senate: Lightford
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/18-17
Summary: The Act requires the State Board of Education to provide the loan of secular textbooks free of charge to any student in this State who is enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 at a public school or at a school other than a public school which is in compliance with the compulsory attendance laws of this State.
Public Act: 94-0927
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

SB 1856
School Code "Clean-up"
Sponsors:
Senate: Lightford
House: Lang
Chapter Reference:
(over 100 School Code sections are amended)
Summary: The Act makes many non-substantive "clean-up" changes to the School Code by deleting "obsolete and duplicative" language. This project has been ongoing for the past five years, and the changes have been carefully reviewed to be certain that no necessary sections are inadvertently eliminated.
At the time of publication, the bill had not been considered by the Governor.

SB 2199
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Sponsors:
Senate: Crotty-Hunter
House: Davis,W.-Dunkin-Graham
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 301/10-40 rep.
20 ILCS 301/10-45 rep.
20 ILCS 301/10-50 rep.
20 ILCS 301/10-5
20 ILCS 301/10-10
20 ILCS 301/10-15
20 ILCS 301/15-10
Summary: The Act makes changes to the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. It expands the duties and powers of the advisory council to, among other things, "encourage the implementation of programs to prevent alcoholism and other drug abuse and dependency in the public and private school and education institutions" and adds the Superintendent of Education to the council.
Public Act: 94-1033
Effective Date: July 1, 2007

SB 2235
Grow Your Own Teacher
Sponsors:
Senate: Martinez-Collins-Trotter-Lightford-Raoul
House: Golar-Davis,M.-Dunkin-Kelly-Davis
Chapter Reference:
110 ILCS 48/1
110 ILCS 48/5
110 ILCS 48/10
110 ILCS 48/15
110 ILCS 48/20
110 ILCS 48/25
110 ILCS 48/30
110 ILCS 48/35
Summary: The Act amends the Grow Your Own Teacher Act. It defines "developmental classes" and makes changes to the definition of "parent and community leaders" and "schools serving a substantial percentage of low-income students". The Act also provides that the State Board shall establish criteria that address the inclusion in the planned program of strategies derived from community organizing that will help candidates develop tools for working with parents and other community members.
Public Act: 94-0979
Effective Date: June 30, 2006

SB 2336
School Breakfast/Lunch Program
Sponsors:
Senate: del Valle-Collins-Lightford-Harmon-Munoz
House: Mendoza-McGuire-Berrios
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 125/2.5
105 ILCS 125/4
105 ILCS 126/15
Summary: The Act amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act and the Childhood Hunger Relief Act to make changes concerning the breakfast incentive program, the report the State Board of Education provides to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning school breakfast and lunch programs, surveys to identify parental interest in school breakfast programs and the barriers to establishing school breakfast programs, the requirement that a school district establish a school breakfast program for certain schools, and opting out of the school breakfast program requirement.
Public Act: 94-0981
Effective Date: June 30, 2006

SB 2546
Teacher Certification-Test Data
Sponsors:
Senate: del Valle-Lightford-Collins
House: Soto-Davis,M.-Chavez-Yarbrough-Delgado
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.11d new
Summary: The Act provides that the State Board of Education has the power and duty to collect and maintain data, for each institution of higher education engaged in teacher preparation in this State, concerning the number of individuals taking the test of basic skills, the number of individuals passing the test of basic skills, the total number of subject-matter tests attempted, and the total number of subject-matter tests passed. It requires the State Board to periodically file with the General Assembly and the Governor and make available to the public a report listing the institutions of higher education engaged in teacher preparation in this State, along with the data pertinent to each institution.
Public Act: 94-0935
Effective Date: June 26, 2006

SB 2829
Less Red Tape
Sponsors:
Senate: Lightford-Hunter
House: Lang-Giles-Eddy-Pritchard-Beiser
Chapter Reference:
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
105 ILCS 5/2-3.12
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25d
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25f
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g
105 ILCS 5/2-3.59
105 ILCS 5/2-3.63
105 ILCS 5/2-3.64
105 ILCS 5/10-17
105 ILCS 5/10-21.9
105 ILCS 5/27-1
105 ILCS 5/29-5
105 ILCS 5/34-18.5
105 ILCS 5/2-3.11b rep.
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25e rep.
Summary: The Act contains the State Board of Education's "Less Red Tape" initiative. It makes changes concerning the school building code, school and district improvement plans, the waiver and modification of mandates, staff development plans, local learning objectives and assessments, criminal history records checks of school district employees, and transportation reimbursement claims.
Public Act: 94-0875
Effective Date: July 1, 2006

SB 2882
Class Size Reduction
Sponsors:
Senate: Link-Lightford-Ronen-Raoul-Harmon
House: Smith-Davis,M.-Boland-Holbrook-Dugan
Chapter Reference:
105 ILCS 5/2-3.136
Summary: The Act requires the State Board of Education to create a pilot class size grant program. It provides that grants shall be awarded to schools to defray the costs and expenses of operating and maintaining classes of no more than 15 pupils per teacher per class and applies only to grades kindergarten through 3.
Public Act: 94-0894
Effective Date: July 1, 2006

Students

HB 1463
Drivers License Cancellation
Sponsors:
House: Flider-Winters-Chapa,LaVia-Moffitt-Munson
Senate: Watson,F.-Bomke-Radogno-Axley-Althoff
Chapter Reference
105 ILCS 5/26-3a
625 ILCS 5/6-107
625 ILCS 5/6-107.1
625 ILCS 5/6-108
625 ILCS 5/6-201
Summary: The Act provides that no driver's license or instruction permit shall be issued to any applicant who is under 18 years of age and not legally emancipated by marriage, unless he/she is a high school graduate, is enrolled in a GED course, has obtained a GED, is enrolled in high school or college, or is receiving home instruction. Likewise, a driver's license or instruction permit shall be cancelled if a student under 18 years of age drops out of school. The clerk or secretary of the school board shall furnish quarterly reports to the Regional Superintendent and the Secretary of State that includes the names of: pupils whose withdrawal is due to extraordinary circumstances, pupils who have re-enrolled in school, and any pupil certified to be a chronic or habitual truant. Each local school district shall establish, in writing, a set of criteria for use by the superintendent in determining whether a pupil's failure to attend school is the result of extraordinary circumstances, including but not limited to economic or medical necessity or family hardship.
Public Act: 94-0916
Effective Date: July 1, 2007
PRESS Policy 7:70, Attendance and Truancy

HB 4186
Special Education Information-Foster Care
Sponsors:
House: Feigenholtz-Froehlich-Currie-Sommer-Jakobsson
Senate: Cullerton
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 505/5
20 ILCS 505/5.30 new
20 ILCS 505/7.5 new
20 ILCS 505/25
20 ILCS 505/35.1
20 ILCS 520/1-15
225 ILCS 10/7.4
225 ILCS 10/8
225 ILCS 10/15
324 ILCS 5/11.1
740 ILCS 110/11
750 ILCS 50/12.1
750 ILCS 50/18.3a
Summary: Among many other changes regarding the Children and Family Services Act and foster care, the Act requires the agency to provide to the caretakers information containing the details of the child's individualized educational plan when the child is receiving special education services.
Public Act: 94-1010
Effective Date: October 1, 2006

HB 4406
Grants for Higher Education
Sponsors:
House: Jones-Howard-Davis,M.-Currie-Jefferson
Senate: Collins-Silverstein
Chapter Reference:
110 ILCS 947/65.75 new
Summary: The Act authorizes the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish a grant for students who were raised by their grandparents. The student must have graduated from high school with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale and must have been recommended for assistance by the principal or other appropriate administrative officer of his or her high school.
Public Act: 94-0968
Effective Date: January 1, 2007

HB 4768
Driver's Education – Increased Instruction
Sponsors:
House: D'Amico-Fritchey-Lyons-Froehlich-Davis,M.
Senate: Cullerton-Axley-Althoff-Crotty-Sandoval
Chapter Reference:
625 ILCS 5/6-107
Summary: The Act increases the hours of driver's education behind-the-wheel instruction a minor is required to complete (as certified by the parents) to 50 (rather than 25), at least 10 hours of which must have been at night.
Public Act: 94-0897
Effective Date: June 22, 2006

SB 2197
Truancy Changes
Sponsors:
Senate: Haine-Jacobs
House: Kelly-Graham-Jefferson
Chapter Reference:
55 ILCS 5/5-1078.2 new
65 ILCS 5/11-5-9 new
705 ILCS 405/3-33.5 new
105 ILCS 5/34-4.5
705 ILCS 405/3-1
705 ILCS 405/3-15
705 ILCS 405/3-33 rep
Summary: The Act provides for increased services to truant youth prior to the filing of a petition as a Truant Minor in Need of supervision. The regional superintendent of education, office of chronic adjudication, or a community truancy review board is required to certify that truancy intervention services were provided by the local school. If it is determined by the regional office of education, office of chronic truant adjudication, or a community truancy review board that services were not provided by the local school, the youth is referred to a comprehensive community based youth service agency for services. This agency is required to make periodic progress reports to the regional office of education, office of chronic truant adjudication or a community truancy review board. The Act allows counties and municipalities to regulate truants by ordinance with fines not exceeding $100 and/or community service, if the violator is under 10 years of age the parent or custodian is subject to the fine and/or community service.
Public Act: 94-1011
Effective Date: July 7, 2006
PRESS Policy 7:70, Attendance and Truancy

SB 2225
Scholarship Grants
Sponsors:
Senate: Maloney-Raoul-Halvorson-Wilhelmi-Crotty
House: McCarthy-Miller-May-Lang-Ryg
Chapter Reference:
110 ILCS 947/39 new
Summary: The Act requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to receive and consider applications for monetary grant assistance to benefit those students who will not receive Monetary Award Program grants. Among other conditions, it provides that an applicant is eligible for a grant if he or she is enrolled at least half-time as a sophomore, junior, or senior and is from a family that had an adjusted gross income of less than $200,000 for the 2005 taxable year, and provides that grants are applicable to tuition and mandatory fees, with the grant amount not to exceed $500 per year or $250 per semester. Grants may be awarded only for the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 semesters, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Public Act: 94-1056
Effective Date: July 31, 2006

SB 2328
Illinois Steps AHEAD Program
Sponsors:
Senate: Martinez-Collins-Hunter
House: Delgado-Chavez-Flowers-Soto-Acevedo
Chapter Reference:
20 ILCS 1305/10-50 new
30 ILCS 105/5.663 new
305 ILCS 5/5-2
305 ILCS 5/12-4.103a new
Summary: The Act requires the Illinois Department of Human Services to administer and implement – only if federal funding is available – a program called the "Illinois Steps for Attaining Higher Education through Academic Development" (Illinois Steps AHEAD). The program would provide educational services and post-secondary educational scholarships for low-income middle and high school students. The Act provides that the program components include parental involvement, academic support for students, career exploration, college preparation and increased collaboration with local schools.
Public Act: 94-1043
Effective Date: July 24, 2006

Taxation

HB 542
AED Fund Checkoff
Sponsors:
House: Boland-Burke-Franks-Osmond-Holbrook
Senate: Sandoval-Crotty-Silverstein
Chapter Reference:
35 ILCS 5/507EE new
35 ILCS 5/509
35 ILCS 5/510
Summary: The Act amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to create a tax checkoff for the Heartsaver AED Fund to provide funding for school districts to purchase automated external defibrillators.
Public Act: 94-0876
Effective Date: June 19, 2006

HB 4789
Senior Assessment Freeze Reinstatement
Sponsors:
House: Flider-Hassert-Mathias-Beiser-Boland
Senate: Harmon-Demuzio-Wilhelmi-Maloney-Lauzen
Chapter Reference:
35 ILCS 200/15-170
35 ILCS 200/15-172
320 ILCS 30/2
30 ILCS 805/8.30 new
Summary: The Act re-enacts the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption that was created and deemed unconstitutional as Public Act 88-669 in 2005. The bill also increases the eligible income level for the Senior Freeze from $45,000 to $50,000 for 2005 assessments and then increases the income level threshold utilizing a formula to provide greater benefit to those at lower income levels. The formula is the EAV of the property in the year of application minus the base year amount multiplied by a percentage based on the category of income. In addition, the bill increases the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption from $3000 to $3500.
Public Act: 94-0794
Effective Date: May 22, 2006

SB 1682
Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) Ballots
Sponsors:
Senate: Harmon-Millner-Althoff-Lauzen-Radogno
House: Tryon-Franks-Jenisch-Beaubien-Schmitz
Chapter Reference:
35 ILCS 200/18-125
35 ILCS 200/18-185
35 ILCS 200/18-190
35 ILCS 200/18-205
35 ILCS 200/18-230
Summary: The Act:

• Re-writes the tax rate increase ballot question for taxing districts to add "purposes of" in the ballot question. Further adds that the supplemental information for the rate increase question must include a statement of purpose or reason for the proposed change in the tax rate and the approximate amount of the new increase on a single family residence having a fair market value of $100,000.
• changes the definition of "limiting rate" for PTELL taxing districts.
• Sets forth new ballot questions for PTELL counties including propositions seeking referendum approval for a New Tax; Increase in a Specific Tax Rate and an Increase in the Limiting Rate.
• For propositions seeking an increase in the limiting rate the question will specify the number of years (up to 4) that the newly approved increase and limiting rate will be extended or phased in. Also, under this question the supplemental information must include an estimate of the cost of the proposition over the number of years it is to be phased in. This estimate will be based on an assessed value of residential property valued at $100,000 and adjusted for value increases for each year after 1 that is asked for in the question.
• For all increase or creation of new rate questions additional supplemental information will be required including: the rate of the specific tax or limiting rate that was most recently extended prior to the referendum; both the approximate dollar amount that was extended prior to the referendum and the approximate dollar amount that will be extended implementing the new specific rate or limiting rate. This calculation will be computed using the last known EAV of taxable property in the taxing district; and the approximate amount of the new increase on a single family residence having a fair market value of $100,000.
• Provides a new referendum opportunity for taxing districts that would allow a specified percentage to be used in place of the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the CPI for a specified period of time. Also, under this question the supplemental information must include an estimate of the cost of the proposition over the number of years the new percentage is to be extended. This estimate will be based on an assessed value of residential property valued at $100,000 and adjusted for value increases for each year the increased percentage is to be extended.
• Changes the Rate Increase Factor to be allowed only for rate increases first effective for the 2006 levy year, any preceding levy year (after referendum approval) and any referendum held prior to March 22, 2006.
• Allows a taxing district that was subject to PTELL prior to 1995 and that approved a tax increase at a general election held after 2002 to be allowed to choose the number of years to implement the Rate Increase Factor.

SB 2030
Tax Credit for Film Production
Sponsors:
Senate: Raoul-Martinez-Collins-Hendon
House: Colvin-Dunkin-Saviano-Davis,W.-Yarbrough
Chapter Reference:
35 ILCS 15/10
35 ILCS 15/40
35 ILCS 15/45
35 ILCS 15/90
305 ILCS 20/13
305 ILCS 20/17 new
Summary: The Act amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act by setting forth Illinois production spending requirements for accredited productions commencing on or after May 1, 2006.
Public Act: 94-0817
Effective Date: May 30, 2006

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