SB2323eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2323 Engrossed LRB103 27620 RJT 53996 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 changing Section 10-22.36 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-22.36) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.36)

Sec. 10-22.36. Buildings for school purposes.

(a) To build or purchase a building for school classroom or instructional purposes upon the approval of a majority of the voters upon the proposition at a referendum held for such purpose or in accordance with Section 17-2.11, 19-3.5, or 19-3.10. The board may initiate such referendum by resolution. The board shall certify the resolution and proposition to the proper election authority for submission in accordance with the general election law.

The questions of building one or more new buildings for school purposes or office facilities, and issuing bonds for the purpose of borrowing money to purchase one or more buildings or sites for such buildings or office sites, to build one or more new buildings for school purposes or office facilities or to make additions and improvements to existing school buildings, may be combined into one or more propositions on the ballot.

Before erecting, or purchasing or remodeling such a building the board shall submit the plans and specifications respecting heating, ventilating, lighting, seating, water supply, toilets and safety against fire to the regional superintendent of schools having supervision and control over the district, for approval in accordance with Section 2-3.12.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no referendum shall be required if the purchase, construction, or building of any such building (1) occurs while the building is being leased by the school district or (2) is paid with (A) funds derived from the sale or disposition of other buildings, land, or structures of the school district or (B) funds received (i) as a grant under the School Construction Law or (ii) as gifts or donations, provided that no funds to purchase, construct, or build such building, other than lease payments, are derived from the district's bonded indebtedness or the tax levy of the district.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, no referendum shall be required if the purchase, construction, or building of any such building is paid with funds received from the County School Facility and Resources Occupation Tax Law under Section 5-1006.7 of the Counties Code or from the proceeds of bonds or other debt obligations secured by revenues obtained from that Law.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, for Decatur School District Number 61, no referendum shall be required if at least 50% of the cost of the purchase, construction, or building of any such building is paid, or will be paid, with funds received or expected to be received as part of, or otherwise derived from, any COVID-19 pandemic relief program or funding source, including, but not limited to, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund grant proceeds.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), for any school district: (i) that is a tier 1 school, (ii) that has a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants, (iii) whose student population is between 5,800 and 6,300, (iv) in which 57% to 62% of students are low-income, and (v) whose average district spending is between $10,000 to $12,000 per pupil, until July 1, 2025, no referendum shall be required if at least 50% of the cost of the purchase, construction, or building of any such building is paid, or will be paid, with funds received or expected to be received as part of, or otherwise derived from, the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act and the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

For this subsection (b), the school board must hold at least 2 public hearings, the sole purpose of which shall be to discuss the decision to construct a school building and to receive input from the community. The notice of each public hearing that sets forth the time, date, place, and name or description of the school building that the school board is considering constructing must be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing by publication on the school board's Internet website.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) and (b), for Bloomington School District 87, no referendum shall be required for the purchase, construction, or building of any building for school or education purposes if such cost is paid, or will be paid with funds available at the time of contract, purchase, construction, or building in Bloomington School District Number 87's existing fund balances to fund the procurement or requisition of a building or site during the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, or 2024-2025 school years.

For this subsection (c), the school board must hold at least 2 public hearings, the sole purpose of which shall be to discuss the decision to construct a school building and to receive input from the community. The notice of each public hearing that sets forth the time, date, place, and name or description of the school building that the school board is considering constructing must be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing by publication on the school board's website.

(Source: P.A. 101-455, eff. 8-23-19; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21; 102-699, eff. 7-1-22.)

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