093_HB3300

 
                                     LRB093 09929 NHT 10180 b

 1        AN ACT concerning teacher incentives.

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

 4        Section  5.  The School Code is amended by adding Section
 5    2-3.131 as follows:

 6        (105 ILCS 5/2-3.131 new)
 7        Sec. 2-3.131.  Quality teacher incentive program.
 8        (a)  The State Board of  Education  shall  implement  and
 9    administer  a  quality teacher incentive program.  Under this
10    program, the State Board of  Education  shall  provide,  from
11    appropriations  made  for  the  purposes  of  this Section, a
12    signing bonus of $1,500 to each eligible teacher.
13        (b)  A teacher is eligible  under  this  program  if  the
14    person has graduated from a regionally accredited institution
15    in  the  top 25% of his or her class, has an Initial Teaching
16    Certificate with  a  special  certification  designation  for
17    mathematics  or  science,  and agrees to teach the subject of
18    mathematics or science, whichever is applicable, in a  public
19    school in this State for a minimum of 3 consecutive years.
20        (c)  A  teacher  who  has  received a signing bonus under
21    this program and leaves employment  with  the  public  school
22    before  the  end  of the 3-year commitment must reimburse the
23    State in the amount of $1,500, unless the teacher has left to
24    accept a teaching position with another public school in this
25    State.
26        (d)  A teacher who receives a signing  bonus  under  this
27    program shall not be deemed an employee of the State.
28        (e)  The  State  Board  of  Education may adopt any rules
29    necessary  to  carry  out  its  responsibilities  under  this
30    Section.
 
                            -2-      LRB093 09929 NHT 10180 b
 1        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act  takes  effect  on
 2    July 1, 2003.