SB0517eng 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0517 Engrossed LRB102 15918 NHT 21287 b

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 14-17 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/14-17 new)

Sec. 14-17. High-Cost Special Education Funding Commission.

(a) The High-Cost Special Education Funding Commission is created for the purpose of making recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for an alternative funding structure in this State for high-cost special education students that is aligned to the principles of the evidence-based funding formula in Section 18-8.15 in which school districts furthest away from adequacy receive the greatest amount of funding.

(b) The Commission shall consist of all of the following members:

(1) One representative appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as co-chairperson.

(2) One representative appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(3) One senator appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall serve as co-chairperson.

(4) One senator appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(5) The State Superintendent of Education or a designee.

(6) The Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget or a designee.

(7) The Chairperson of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities or a designee.

Additionally, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the State Superintendent of Education shall appoint all of the following individuals to the Commission:

(A) One representative of a statewide association that represents private special education schools.

(B) One representative of a statewide association that represents special education cooperatives.

(C) One educator from a special education cooperative, recommended by a statewide association that represents teachers.

(D) One educator from a special education cooperative that is not a member district of a special education cooperative, recommended by a different statewide association that represents teachers.

(E) One educator or administrator from a nonpublic special education school.

(F) One representative of a statewide association that represents school administrators.

(G) One representative of a statewide association that represents school business officials.

(H) One representative of a statewide association that represents private special education schools in rural school districts.

(I) One representative from a residential program.

Members appointed to the Commission must reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of this State.

(c) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for that purpose.

(d) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative support to the Commission.

(e) To ensure that high-quality services are provided to ensure equitable outcomes for high-cost special education students, the Commission shall do all the following:

(1) Review the current system of funding high-cost special education students in this State.

(2) Review the needs of high-cost special education students in this State and the associated costs to ensure high-quality services are provided to these students.

(3) Review how other states fund high-cost special education students.

(4) If available, review other proposals and best practices for funding high-cost special education students.

(f) On or before November 30, 2021, the Commission shall report its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

(g) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2022.

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