103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1081

 

Introduced 1/12/2023, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/10-20.85 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.82 new

    Amends the School Code. Requires school districts with a population of 3,000 or more students to interview a minimum percentage of minority candidates for teaching positions. Exempts teaching positions within an English as a Second Language program from the requirement. Sets forth the formula for the school district to use to calculate the minimum percentage required. Provides that if the school district is unable to interview the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years, the school district must implement a program for school district employees interested in obtaining a Professional Educator License. Effective immediately.


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STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB1081LRB103 05289 RJT 50307 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections
510-20.85 and 34-18.82 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/10-20.85 new)
7    Sec. 10-20.85. Minimum percentage of minority teaching
8candidates.
9    (a) During the process of interviewing candidates for a
10teaching position, a school district with a population of
113,000 or more students must interview a minimum percentage of
12minority candidates for the position as provided in this
13subsection (a). The minimum percentage requirement does not
14apply to teaching positions in an English as a Second Language
15program. The minimum percentage is calculated by subtracting
1610% from the percentage of minority students enrolled in the
17school district. A school district that is unable to interview
18the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2
19consecutive years must establish a program to assist minority
20employees of the school district who are interested in
21obtaining a Professional Educator License under Section 21B-20
22of this Code.
23    (b) To facilitate the implementation of the program that

 

 

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1may be required under subsection (a), a school district is
2encouraged to collaborate with an Illinois institution of
3higher education that offers an approved educator preparation
4program. The program established by the school district under
5subsection (a) must:
6        (1) provide minority employees with information about
7    the educator preparation program;
8        (2) assist minority employees in enrolling in the
9    educator preparation program;
10        (3) offer flexible work hours for an employee to
11    complete the educator preparation program; and
12        (4) provide financial incentives to encourage minority
13    employees to obtain a Professional Educator License.
14    (c) A program developed by a school district under
15subsection (a) must be submitted to and approved by the State
16Board of Education prior to implementation of the program.
 
17    (105 ILCS 5/34-18.82 new)
18    Sec. 34-18.82. Minimum percentage of minority teaching
19candidates.
20    (a) During the process of interviewing candidates for a
21teaching position, the school district must interview a
22minimum percentage of minority candidates for the position as
23provided in this subsection (a). The minimum percentage
24requirement does not apply to teaching positions in an English
25as a Second Language program. The minimum percentage is

 

 

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1calculated by subtracting 10% from the percentage of minority
2students enrolled in the school district. If the school
3district is unable to interview the required minimum
4percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years, the
5school district must establish a program to assist minority
6employees of the school district who are interested in
7obtaining a Professional Educator License under Section 21B-20
8of this Code.
9    (b) To facilitate the implementation of the program that
10may be required under subsection (a), the school district is
11encouraged to collaborate with an Illinois institution of
12higher education that offers an approved educator preparation
13program. The program established by the school district under
14subsection (a) must:
15        (1) provide minority employees with information about
16    the educator preparation program;
17        (2) assist minority employees in enrolling in the
18    educator preparation program;
19        (3) offer flexible work hours for an employee to
20    complete the educator preparation program; and
21        (4) provide financial incentives to encourage minority
22    employees to obtain a Professional Educator License.
23    (c) A program developed by the school district under
24subsection (a) must be submitted to and approved by the State
25Board of Education prior to implementation of the program.
 
26    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon

 

 

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1becoming law.