Bill Status of HB 1481   99th General Assembly

Short Description:  SCHOOL CHOICE ACT

House Sponsors
Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

Last Action  View All Actions

DateChamber Action
  1/10/2017HouseSession Sine Die

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
20 ILCS 1605/7.4a new
35 ILCS 5/203from Ch. 120, par. 2-203

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the School Choice Act and amends the Illinois Lottery Law and the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides findings and declarations of policy. Establishes the School Choice Program. Provides that under the program the custodian of a qualifying pupil is entitled to a School Choice Scholarship to pay for qualified education expenses at participating nonpublic schools. Requires the principal of each public school to notify custodians of qualifying pupils of the availability of scholarships. Requires custodians to apply to the State Board of Education for a scholarship and provide documentation as to eligibility. Requires the State Board to issue a scholarship to custodians who have made proper application and to honor the scholarship when presented for payment by a nonpublic school. Provides for the amount of a scholarship. Provides that the scholarship may be renewed each year through the 12th grade so long as the pupil and custodian remain eligible. Contains funding provisions. Provides that the amount received under the program shall not be considered base income for purposes of Illinois' income tax. Requires the State Board to submit a report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2018. Provides criminal penalties for certain violations. Requires the State Board to adopt rules to implement the Act. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2019. Effective immediately.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/5/2015HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
  2/6/2015HouseFirst Reading
  2/6/2015HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  2/24/2015HouseAssigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
  3/11/2015HouseTo Special Issues Subcommittee
  3/12/2015HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
  3/12/2015HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  3/16/2015HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
  3/27/2015HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
  3/27/2015HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
  1/10/2017HouseSession Sine Die

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