HB2755 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 09218 AXK 54312 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2755

Introduced , by Rep. Thomas Morrison

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
30 ILCS 105/5.891 new

Creates the Illinois District Consolidation Commission Act. Creates the Illinois District Consolidation Commission for the purpose of recommending what school districts in the State to consolidate, with a goal of reducing the total number of school districts in the State by at least 60%. Requires all State agencies to assist the Commission as reasonably necessary, and provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support. Sets forth requirements concerning membership and powers. Requires the Commission to issue a report concerning recommended consolidations by November 4, 2019. Requires the Commission to submit proposed legislation to the General Assembly enacting the proposed consolidations by November 4, 2019. Requires the General Assembly to vote on the legislation. Provides that the Commission shall spend no more than $1,000,000 on expenses. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois District Consolidation Commission Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Repeals the Act January 1, 2021. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois District Consolidation Commission Act.

Section 5. Definition. As used in this Act, "Commission" means the Illinois District Consolidation Commission created under this Act.

Section 10. Illinois District Consolidation Commission.

(a) The Illinois District Consolidation Commission is created for the purpose of recommending what school districts in the State to consolidate, with a goal of reducing the total number of school districts in the State by at least 60%.

(b) All State agencies shall assist the Commission as reasonably necessary to fulfill its goal.

(c) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission as needed.

Section 15. Members.

(a) The Commission shall consist of 9 members, to be appointed as follows:

(1) Two individuals appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) Two individuals appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(3) Two individuals appointed by the President of the Senate.

(4) Two individuals appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(5) One individual appointed by the Governor, who shall serve as chairperson.

(b) Initial appointments to the Commission must be completed no later than 30 days after the effective date of this Act.

(c) Members shall serve until the completion of the Commission's report under this Act.

(d) If a vacancy occurs, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 20. Powers.

(a) The Commission shall have the power to determine its own rules, schedules, and agenda.

(b) The Commission shall determine the selection criteria it uses to determine which districts will be considered candidates for consolidation.

(c) The Commission shall not have the power to discuss or consider the consolidation of specific schools, State-provided subsidies designed to encourage consolidation, or the equalization of employee contracts among affected districts.

Section 25. Report.

(a) The Commission shall first create a preliminary list of potential school district consolidations. The Commission shall then evaluate that list by taking testimony from interested parties and paying visits to the affected districts.

(b) Based on the Commission's findings, the Commission shall assemble a finalized list of districts to be consolidated, along with a comprehensive impact report to be submitted to the Governor and members of the General Assembly no later than November 4, 2019.

(c) Along with the finalized list, the Commission shall prepare a report that shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) a comprehensive report on the impact of the proposed consolidations;

(2) policy recommendations on limiting the merger of local bargaining units in newly combined districts; and

(3) a list of any and all financial incentives offered by the State to school districts to consolidate, and how much money could be saved by repealing the incentives.

Section 30. Approval of recommendations.

(a) No later than November 4, 2019, the Commission shall submit proposed legislation to the General Assembly enacting the proposed school district consolidations. The Legislative Reference Bureau shall assist the Commission as needed in creating the legislation.

(b) The General Assembly shall vote on the Commission's proposed legislation. No amendments to the legislation, except for grammatical or technical purposes, shall be allowed.

Section 35. Illinois District Consolidation Commission Fund. There is created the Illinois District Consolidation Commission Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. All reasonable and necessary expenses for the Commission shall be payable out of the Fund. Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall spend no more than $1,000,000 in fulfilling its goals under this Act.

Section 40. This Act is repealed on January 1, 2021.

Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.891 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.891 new)

Sec. 5.891. The Illinois District Consolidation Commission Fund. This Section is repealed January 1, 2021.

Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.