HB1216 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 07042 NHT 47135 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1216

Introduced 02/08/11, by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/11E-190 new

Amends the School Code. Establishes the School District Realignment and Consolidation Commission to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on the number of school districts in this State, the optimal amount of enrollment for a school district, and where consolidation and realignment would be beneficial. Provides that within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Commission must vote on its recommendations and file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that if the Commission adopts the report by a three-fifths vote, then the General Assembly must, within 14 days after the report is filed by the Commission, vote on whether to accept the report by the adoption of a resolution by a record vote of a majority of the members elected in each house. Provides that if the General Assembly is not in session on the day that the report is filed, then the General Assembly must vote on whether to accept the report within 14 days after the General Assembly convenes for the first time after the report is filed. Dissolves the Commission on the day after the report is filed with both the Governor and the General Assembly. Repeals these provisions on January 1, 2012. 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 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 11E-190 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/11E-190 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2012)

Sec. 11E-190. School District Realignment and Consolidation Commission.

(a) The School District Realignment and Consolidation Commission is established. The Commission shall consist of all of the following voting members:

(1) Six members of the House of Representatives, 3 appointed by the Speaker of the House and 3 appointed by the Minority Leader of the House.

(2) Six members of the Senate, 3 appointed by the President of the Senate and 3 appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(3) Six members, with no more than 4 from the same political party, appointed by the Governor.

Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Members shall be reimbursed for their travel expenses from appropriations to the State Board of Education available for that purpose and subject to the rules of the appropriate travel control board.

The Commission shall meet initially at the call of the Governor as soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, shall select one member as chairperson at its initial meeting, shall thereafter meet at the call of the chairperson, and shall hold public hearings.

The State Board of Education shall provide assistance and necessary staff support services to the Commission.

(b) The purpose of the Commission is to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on the number of school districts in this State, the optimal amount of enrollment for a school district, and where consolidation and realignment would be beneficial. The Commission's recommendations must focus on all of the following areas:

(1) Reducing the money spent on duplication of efforts.

(2) Improving the education of students by having less obstacles between qualified teachers and their students.

(3) Lowering the property tax burden.

(4) Providing recommendations as to what the net cost savings of realignment is to this State.

(5) Providing input to school districts on reorganization.

(c) Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the Commission must vote on its recommendations and file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly. If the Commission adopts the report by a three-fifths vote, then the General Assembly must, within 14 days after the report is filed by the Commission, vote on whether to accept the report by the adoption of a resolution by a record vote of a majority of the members elected in each house. If the General Assembly is not in session on the day that the report is filed, then the General Assembly must vote on whether to accept the report within 14 days after the General Assembly convenes for the first time after the report is filed. The Commission is dissolved on the day after the report is filed with both the Governor and the General Assembly.

(d) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2012.

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