SB2144 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 12669 NHT 36378 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB2144

Introduced 5/31/2015, by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27A-7.10

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that, in Chicago, a 4-year university may serve as the authorizer for a multi-site charter school devoted exclusively to re-enrolled high school dropouts.

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 changing Section 27A-7.10 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27A-7.10)

Sec. 27A-7.10. Authorizer powers and duties; immunity; principles and standards.

(a) Authorizers are responsible for executing, in accordance with this Article, all of the following powers and duties:

(1) Soliciting and evaluating charter applications.

(2) Approving quality charter applications that meet identified educational needs and promote a diversity of educational choices.

(3) Declining to approve weak or inadequate charter applications.

(4) Negotiating and executing sound charter contracts with each approved charter school.

(5) Monitoring, in accordance with charter contract terms, the performance and legal compliance of charter schools.

(6) Determining whether each charter contract merits renewal, nonrenewal, or revocation.

(b) An authorizing entity may delegate its duties to officers, employees, and contractors.

(c) Regulation by authorizers is limited to the powers and duties set forth in subsection (a) of this Section and must be consistent with the spirit and intent of this Article.

(d) An authorizing entity, members of the local school board, or the Commission, in their official capacity, and employees of an authorizer are immune from civil and criminal liability with respect to all activities related to a charter school that they authorize, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

(e) The Commission and all local school boards that have a charter school operating are required to develop and maintain chartering policies and practices consistent with recognized principles and standards for quality charter authorizing in all major areas of authorizing responsibility, including all of the following:

(1) Organizational capacity and infrastructure.

(2) Soliciting and evaluating charter applications.

(3) Performance contracting.

(4) Ongoing charter school oversight and evaluation.

(5) Charter renewal decision-making.

Authorizers shall carry out all their duties under this Article in a manner consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards and with the spirit and intent of this Article.

(f) In any city having a population exceeding 500,000, a 4-year university may serve as the authorizer for a multi-site charter school devoted exclusively to re-enrolled high school dropouts, in which case the university shall be deemed to mean the local school board with respect to the provisions of this Article concerning authorization of a charter school.

(Source: P.A. 97-152, eff. 7-20-11.)