HB6797 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 21170 MKM 47244 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB6797

Introduced 02/09/04, by Wyvetter H. Younge

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
30 ILCS 105/5.625 new

Creates the Illinois Student Laptop Computer Initiative for 21st Century Education Act. Established the Illinois Student Laptop Computer Commission to (i) ensure that every elementary student in the State is given a personal laptop computer by the beginning of the 6th grade year and to make grants to local school districts for various purposes and (ii) publish an annual plan for the purchase and distribution of educational technology. Provides that only certain public schools are eligible for assistance from the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to obtain the services of personnel and to enter into contracts and memoranda of understanding with private parties and with State agencies. Provides that all moneys deposited into the Illinois Student Laptop Computer Fund shall be distributed, subject to appropriation, to the Illinois Student Laptop Commission for the purposes of the Act. Provides that money from both public and private sources may be deposited into the Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Student Laptop Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. Effective January 1, 2005.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning boards and commissions.

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 Student Laptop Computer Initiative for 21st Century Education Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The General Assembly finds that in the modern knowledge-based economy of the 21st century it is critical that all students have access to modern educational technology. The General Assembly further finds that universal access to laptop computers has been found to increase student assessment test scores and encourage student-parent collaborations in learning. The General Assembly further finds that the digital divide inhibits access to modern educational technology in many rural and inner-city schools. In order to meet the goal of universal access to modern educational technology, the General Assembly finds it is necessary to provide all sixth grade students in public, private, and home schools with access to laptop computers.

Section 10. Illinois Student Laptop Commission. There is hereby established the Illinois Student Laptop Computer Commission. The Commission shall have 5 members, the Lieutenant Governor and 4 members appointed by the Governor. The Commission shall be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor. The term of office for any Commission member appointed by the Governor shall be 3 years. Commission members shall receive no compensation other than reimbursement of legitimate expenses.

Section 15. Powers and duties.

(a) The Commission shall ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that each elementary student in Illinois is given a personal laptop computer by the beginning of that student's sixth grade year. The Commission may use any remaining funds in the Illinois Student Laptop Computer Fund to provide grants to local school districts for the purchase of educational technology, the installation of computer networks in schools, technical assistance, and professional development for teachers.

(b) The Commission shall publish an annual plan, no later than July 1st of each year, for the purchase and distribution of educational technology. The annual plan shall be distributed to the Governor and to the General Assembly and made available to other persons on request. The annual plan shall include (i) the number of students to be given computers, (ii) a list of any and all software to be included on the computers, (iii) the cost of implementing the plan, and (iv) proposed sources of funding.

(c) Only public schools in Illinois in which 40% or more of the students live in low-income households shall be eligible for assistance under this Act. For the purposes of this subsection, "low-income households" are those that include any child eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program or any household whose income is no more than 185% of the poverty level. Students enrolled in eligible schools shall be eligible to receive a laptop computer regardless of personal or family income.

Section 20. Illinois Student Laptop Computer Fund. The Illinois Student Laptop Computer Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All moneys deposited into the Illinois Student Laptop Computer Fund shall be distributed, subject to appropriation, to the Illinois Student Laptop Commission for the purposes of this Act. Money from both public and private sources may be deposited into the Fund, provided that the contributions are given for the purposes of this Act.

Section 25. Rules. The Commission may adopt any rules necessary for the administration of this Act.

Section 30. Personnel; contracts. The Commission is authorized to obtain the services of any personnel that may be necessary and to enter into contracts and Memorandums of Understanding with private parties and other State agencies in order to carry out the functions of the Commission under this Act.

Section 95. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.625 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.625 new)

Sec. 5.625. The Illinois Student Laptop Computer Fund.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2005.