SB1858 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 12833 NHT 38281 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB1858

Introduced 7/27/2007, by Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 230/5-110 new

Amends the School Construction Law. Subject to appropriation, provides that the Capital Development Board is authorized to make construction grants to school districts for overcrowding relief construction projects, to be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose from the School Infrastructure Fund. Sets forth provisions concerning implementation rules, applicant requirements, identifying those schools with the greatest overcrowding, and grant priority. Effective January 1, 2008.

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 Construction Law is amended by adding Section 5-110 as follows:

(105 ILCS 230/5-110 new)

Sec. 5-110. Overcrowding relief construction grants.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Capital Development Board is authorized to make construction grants to school districts for overcrowding relief construction projects. These grants shall be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose from the School Infrastructure Fund.

(b) The Capital Development Board shall adopt rules to implement this Section. The rules may specify the following:

(1) the manner of applying for grants;

(2) project eligibility requirements;

(3) restrictions on the use of grant moneys;

(4) the manner in which recipients must account for the use of grant moneys; and

(5) any other provision that the Capital Development Board deems necessary to prioritize applications.

(c) Each school district that applies for a grant under this Section shall complete and submit with its grant application a one-time initial report of existing school building capacity, subject to review by the Capital Development Board.

(d) Each applicant school district shall calculate potential enrollment projections or enrollment applications, if applicable, for the 5th year beyond the fiscal year in which the application for a grant is made.

(e) The Capital Development Board, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall utilize reliable demographic data and school building capacity reports to identify the schools with the greatest overcrowding. Overcrowding must be defined by a formula, to be determined by the Capital Development Board, that considers the number of school-age children residing in the attendance area divided by the number of students who can be served according to facility capacity. Other factors, such as the number of students attending private schools, may be considered if based on reliable trend data and estimates.

(f) When determining grant eligibility and levels for grants under this Section, the Capital Development Board shall give consideration and priority to without limitation the following:

(1) the applicant's existing school building capacity;

(2) the population density of the area served by the applicant school district; and

(3) the extent to which grants would relieve overcrowding.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2008.