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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 Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning
5Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 2325/15)
7    Sec. 15. Members.
8    (a) The following 10 persons or their designees shall be
9members of the Council: the Director of the Department; a
10representative of the Governor's Office; the Secretary of Human
11Services; the Directors of the Departments of Commerce and
12Economic Opportunity, Employment Security, Financial and
13Professional Regulation, and Healthcare and Family Services;
14and the Executive Director executive director of the Illinois
15Board of Higher Education, the Executive Director President of
16the Illinois Community College Board, and the State
17Superintendent of Education.
18    (b) The Governor shall appoint 8 additional members, who
19shall be healthcare workforce experts, including
20representatives of practicing physicians, nurses, pharmacists,
21and dentists, State and local health professions
22organizations, schools of medicine and osteopathy, nursing,
23dental, allied health, and public health; public and private

 

 

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1teaching hospitals; health insurers, business; and labor. The
2Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President
3of the Illinois Senate, the Minority Leader of the Illinois
4House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the
5Illinois Senate may each appoint 2 representatives to the
6Council. Members appointed under this subsection (b) shall
7serve 4-year terms and may be reappointed.
8    (c) The Director of the Department shall serve as Chair of
9the Council. The Governor shall appoint a healthcare workforce
10expert from the non-governmental sector to serve as Vice-Chair.
11(Source: P.A. 97-424, eff. 7-1-12.)
 
12    Section 10. The Illinois Century Network Act is amended by
13changing Section 15 as follows:
 
14    (20 ILCS 3921/15)
15    Sec. 15. Management of the Illinois Century Network.
16    (a) Staffing and contractual services necessary to support
17the network's activities shall be governed by the Illinois
18Century Network Policy Committee. The committee shall include:
19        (1) 6 standing members as follows:
20            (i) the Illinois State Library Director or
21        designee;
22            (ii) the Illinois State Museum Director or
23        designee;
24            (iii) the Executive Director of the Board of Higher

 

 

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1        Education or designee;
2            (iv) the Executive Director of the Illinois
3        Community College Board President or designee;
4            (v) the State Board of Education State
5        Superintendent or designee; and
6            (vi) the Director of Central Management Services
7        or designee;
8        (2) up to 7 members who are appointed by the Governor
9    and who:
10            (i) have experience and background in private K-12
11        education, private higher education, or who are from
12        other participant constituents that are not already
13        represented;
14            (ii) shall serve staggered terms up to 3 years as
15        designated by the Governor; and
16            (iii) shall serve until a successor is appointed
17        and qualified; and
18        (3) a Chairperson who is appointed by the Governor and
19    who shall serve a term of 2 years and until a successor is
20    appointed and qualified.
21    (b) Illinois Century Network Policy Committee members
22shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to
23reimbursement for reasonable expenses of travel for members who
24are required to travel for a distance greater than 20 miles to
25participate in business of the Illinois Century Network Policy
26Committee.

 

 

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1(Source: P.A. 91-21, eff. 7-1-99; 92-691, eff. 7-18-02.)
 
2    Section 15. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
33-15.12 and 22-45 as follows:
 
4    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12)  (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.12)
5    Sec. 3-15.12. High school equivalency testing program. The
6regional superintendent of schools shall make available for
7qualified individuals residing within the region a High School
8Equivalency Testing Program. For that purpose the regional
9superintendent alone or with other regional superintendents
10may establish and supervise a testing center or centers to
11administer the secure forms of the high school level Test of
12General Educational Development to qualified persons. Such
13centers shall be under the supervision of the regional
14superintendent in whose region such centers are located,
15subject to the approval of the Executive Director President of
16the Illinois Community College Board.
17    An individual is eligible to apply to the regional
18superintendent of schools for the region in which he or she
19resides if he or she is: (a) a person who is 17 years of age or
20older, has maintained residence in the State of Illinois, and
21is not a high school graduate; (b) a person who is successfully
22completing an alternative education program under Section
232-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B; or (c) a person who is
24enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois

 

 

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1National Guard. For purposes of this Section, residence is that
2abode which the applicant considers his or her home. Applicants
3may provide as sufficient proof of such residence and as an
4acceptable form of identification a driver's license, valid
5passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued
6national or foreign identification that shows the applicant's
7name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph or
8other acceptable identification as may be allowed by law or as
9regulated by the Illinois Community College Board. Such
10regional superintendent shall determine if the applicant meets
11statutory and regulatory state standards. If qualified the
12applicant shall at the time of such application pay a fee
13established by the Illinois Community College Board, which fee
14shall be paid into a special fund under the control and
15supervision of the regional superintendent. Such moneys
16received by the regional superintendent shall be used, first,
17for the expenses incurred in administering and scoring the
18examination, and next for other educational programs that are
19developed and designed by the regional superintendent of
20schools to assist those who successfully complete the high
21school level test of General Education Development in
22furthering their academic development or their ability to
23secure and retain gainful employment, including programs for
24the competitive award based on test scores of college or adult
25education scholarship grants or similar educational
26incentives. Any excess moneys shall be paid into the institute

 

 

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1fund.
2    Any applicant who has achieved the minimum passing
3standards as established by the Illinois Community College
4Board shall be notified in writing by the regional
5superintendent and shall be issued a high school equivalency
6certificate on the forms provided by the Illinois Community
7College Board. The regional superintendent shall then certify
8to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the
9applicant and such other and additional information that may be
10required by the Illinois Community College Board. The moneys
11received therefrom shall be used in the same manner as provided
12for in this Section.
13    Any applicant who has attained the age of 17 years and
14maintained residence in the State of Illinois and is not a high
15school graduate, any person who has enrolled in a youth
16education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, or
17any person who has successfully completed an alternative
18education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article
1913B is eligible to apply for a high school equivalency
20certificate (if he or she meets the requirements prescribed by
21the Illinois Community College Board) upon showing evidence
22that he or she has completed, successfully, the high school
23level General Educational Development Tests, administered by
24the United States Armed Forces Institute, official GED Centers
25established in other states, or at Veterans' Administration
26Hospitals or the office of the State Superintendent of

 

 

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1Education administered for the Illinois State Penitentiary
2System and the Department of Corrections. Such applicant shall
3apply to the regional superintendent of the region wherein he
4has maintained residence, and upon payment of a fee established
5by the Illinois Community College Board the regional
6superintendent shall issue a high school equivalency
7certificate, and immediately thereafter certify to the
8Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and
9such other and additional information as may be required by the
10Illinois Community College Board.
11    Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, any
12applicant who has been out of school for at least one year may
13request the regional superintendent of schools to administer
14the restricted GED test upon written request of: The director
15of a program who certifies to the Chief Examiner of an official
16GED center that the applicant has completed a program of
17instruction provided by such agencies as the Job Corps, the
18Postal Service Academy or apprenticeship training program; an
19employer or program director for purposes of entry into
20apprenticeship programs; another State Department of Education
21in order to meet regulations established by that Department of
22Education, a post high school educational institution for
23purposes of admission, the Department of Professional
24Regulation for licensing purposes, or the Armed Forces for
25induction purposes. The regional superintendent shall
26administer such test and the applicant shall be notified in

 

 

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1writing that he is eligible to receive the Illinois High School
2Equivalency Certificate upon reaching age 17, provided he meets
3the standards established by the Illinois Community College
4Board.
5    Any test administered under this Section to an applicant
6who does not speak and understand English may at the discretion
7of the administering agency be given and answered in any
8language in which the test is printed. The regional
9superintendent of schools may waive any fees required by this
10Section in case of hardship.
11    In counties of over 3,000,000 population, a GED certificate
12shall contain the signatures of the Executive Director
13President of the Illinois Community College Board; , the
14superintendent, president, or other chief executive officer of
15the institution where GED instruction occurred; and any other
16signatures authorized by the Illinois Community College Board.
17    The regional superintendent of schools shall furnish the
18Illinois Community College Board with any information that the
19Illinois Community College Board requests with regard to
20testing and certificates under this Section.
21(Source: P.A. 94-108, eff. 7-1-05; 95-609, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
22    (105 ILCS 5/22-45)
23    Sec. 22-45. Illinois P-20 Council.
24    (a) The General Assembly finds that preparing Illinoisans
25for success in school and the workplace requires a continuum of

 

 

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1quality education from preschool through graduate school. This
2State needs a framework to guide education policy and integrate
3education at every level. A statewide coordinating council to
4study and make recommendations concerning education at all
5levels can avoid fragmentation of policies, promote improved
6teaching and learning, and continue to cultivate and
7demonstrate strong accountability and efficiency. Establishing
8an Illinois P-20 Council will develop a statewide agenda that
9will move the State towards the common goals of improving
10academic achievement, increasing college access and success,
11improving use of existing data and measurements, developing
12improved accountability, fostering innovative approaches to
13education, promoting lifelong learning, easing the transition
14to college, and reducing remediation. A pre-kindergarten
15through grade 20 agenda will strengthen this State's economic
16competitiveness by producing a highly-skilled workforce. In
17addition, lifelong learning plans will enhance this State's
18ability to leverage funding.
19    (b) There is created the Illinois P-20 Council. The
20Illinois P-20 Council shall include all of the following
21members:
22        (1) The Governor or his or her designee, to serve as
23    chairperson.
24        (2) Four members of the General Assembly, one appointed
25    by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one
26    appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of

 

 

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1    Representatives, one appointed by the President of the
2    Senate, and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the
3    Senate.
4        (3) Six at-large members appointed by the Governor as
5    follows, with 2 members being from the City of Chicago, 2
6    members being from Lake County, McHenry County, Kane
7    County, DuPage County, Will County, or that part of Cook
8    County outside of the City of Chicago, and 2 members being
9    from the remainder of the State:
10            (A) one representative of civic leaders;
11            (B) one representative of local government;
12            (C) one representative of trade unions;
13            (D) one representative of nonprofit organizations
14        or foundations;
15            (E) one representative of parents' organizations;
16        and
17            (F) one education research expert.
18        (4) Five members appointed by statewide business
19    organizations and business trade associations.
20        (5) Six members appointed by statewide professional
21    organizations and associations representing
22    pre-kindergarten through grade 20 teachers, community
23    college faculty, and public university faculty.
24        (6) Two members appointed by associations representing
25    local school administrators and school board members. One
26    of these members must be a special education administrator.

 

 

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1        (7) One member representing community colleges,
2    appointed by the Illinois Council of Community College
3    Presidents.
4        (8) One member representing 4-year independent
5    colleges and universities, appointed by a statewide
6    organization representing private institutions of higher
7    learning.
8        (9) One member representing public 4-year
9    universities, appointed jointly by the university
10    presidents and chancellors.
11        (10) Ex-officio members as follows:
12            (A) The State Superintendent of Education or his or
13        her designee.
14            (B) The Executive Director of the Board of Higher
15        Education or his or her designee.
16            (C) The Executive Director President and Chief
17        Executive Officer of the Illinois Community College
18        Board or his or her designee.
19            (D) The Executive Director of the Illinois Student
20        Assistance Commission or his or her designee.
21            (E) The Co-chairpersons of the Illinois Workforce
22        Investment Board or their designee.
23            (F) The Director of Commerce and Economic
24        Opportunity or his or her designee.
25            (G) The Chairperson of the Illinois Early Learning
26        Council or his or her designee.

 

 

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1            (H) The President of the Illinois Mathematics and
2        Science Academy or his or her designee.
3            (I) The president of an association representing
4        educators of adult learners or his or her designee.
5Ex-officio members shall have no vote on the Illinois P-20
6Council.
7    Appointed members shall serve for staggered terms expiring
8on July 1 of the first, second, or third calendar year
9following their appointments or until their successors are
10appointed and have qualified. Staggered terms shall be
11determined by lot at the organizing meeting of the Illinois
12P-20 Council.
13    Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original
14appointments, and any member so appointed shall serve during
15the remainder of the term for which the vacancy occurred.
16    (c) The Illinois P-20 Council shall be funded through State
17appropriations to support staff activities, research,
18data-collection, and dissemination. The Illinois P-20 Council
19shall be staffed by the Office of the Governor, in coordination
20with relevant State agencies, boards, and commissions. The
21Illinois Education Research Council shall provide research and
22coordinate research collection activities for the Illinois
23P-20 Council.
24    (d) The Illinois P-20 Council shall have all of the
25following duties:
26        (1) To make recommendations to do all of the following:

 

 

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1            (A) Coordinate pre-kindergarten through grade 20
2        (graduate school) education in this State through
3        working at the intersections of educational systems to
4        promote collaborative infrastructure.
5            (B) Coordinate and leverage strategies, actions,
6        legislation, policies, and resources of all
7        stakeholders to support fundamental and lasting
8        improvement in this State's public schools, community
9        colleges, and universities.
10            (C) Better align the high school curriculum with
11        postsecondary expectations.
12            (D) Better align assessments across all levels of
13        education.
14            (E) Reduce the need for students entering
15        institutions of higher education to take remedial
16        courses.
17            (F) Smooth the transition from high school to
18        college.
19            (G) Improve high school and college graduation
20        rates.
21            (H) Improve the rigor and relevance of academic
22        standards for college and workforce readiness.
23            (I) Better align college and university teaching
24        programs with the needs of Illinois schools.
25        (2) To advise the Governor, the General Assembly, the
26    State's education and higher education agencies, and the

 

 

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1    State's workforce and economic development boards and
2    agencies on policies related to lifelong learning for
3    Illinois students and families.
4        (3) To articulate a framework for systemic educational
5    improvement and innovation that will enable every student
6    to meet or exceed Illinois learning standards and be
7    well-prepared to succeed in the workforce and community.
8        (4) To provide an estimated fiscal impact for
9    implementation of all Council recommendations.
10    (e) The chairperson of the Illinois P-20 Council may
11authorize the creation of working groups focusing on areas of
12interest to Illinois educational and workforce development,
13including without limitation the following areas:
14        (1) Preparation, recruitment, and certification of
15    highly qualified teachers.
16        (2) Mentoring and induction of highly qualified
17    teachers.
18        (3) The diversity of highly qualified teachers.
19        (4) Funding for highly qualified teachers, including
20    developing a strategic and collaborative plan to seek
21    federal and private grants to support initiatives
22    targeting teacher preparation and its impact on student
23    achievement.
24        (5) Highly effective administrators.
25        (6) Illinois birth through age 3 education,
26    pre-kindergarten, and early childhood education.

 

 

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1        (7) The assessment, alignment, outreach, and network
2    of college and workforce readiness efforts.
3        (8) Alternative routes to college access.
4        (9) Research data and accountability.
5        (10) Community schools, community participation, and
6    other innovative approaches to education that foster
7    community partnerships.
8    The chairperson of the Illinois P-20 Council may designate
9Council members to serve as working group chairpersons. Working
10groups may invite organizations and individuals representing
11pre-kindergarten through grade 20 interests to participate in
12discussions, data collection, and dissemination.
13(Source: P.A. 98-463, eff. 8-16-13.)
 
14    Section 20. The Public Community College Act is amended by
15changing Section 3-33.7 as follows:
 
16    (110 ILCS 805/3-33.7)
17    Sec. 3-33.7. Establishment of lines of credit. The board
18may establish a line of credit with a bank or other financial
19institution in an amount not to exceed the following:
20        (1) if anticipating State revenues due in the current
21    fiscal year, 85% of the amount or amounts of the revenues
22    due in the current fiscal year, as certified by the
23    Executive Director President/CEO of the State Board or
24    other official in a position to provide assurances as to

 

 

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1    the amounts; and
2        (2) if anticipating State revenues expected to be due
3    in the next subsequent fiscal year, 50% of the amount or
4    amounts of the revenues due in the current fiscal year, as
5    certified by the Executive Director President/CEO of the
6    State Board or other official in a position to provide
7    assurances as to the amounts.
8    All moneys so borrowed shall be repaid exclusively from the
9anticipated revenues within 60 days after the revenues have
10been received. Borrowing authorized under subdivisions (1) and
11(2) of this Section shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed
12the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, from
13the date of issuance until paid.
14    Prior to establishing a line of credit under this Section,
15the board shall authorize, by resolution, the line of credit.
16The resolution shall set forth facts demonstrating the need for
17the line of credit, state the amount to be borrowed, establish
18a maximum interest rate limit not to exceed that set forth in
19this Section, and provide a date by which the borrowed funds
20must be repaid. The resolution shall direct the relevant
21officials to make arrangements to set apart and hold the
22revenue, as received, that will be used to repay the borrowing.
23In addition, the resolution may authorize the relevant
24officials to make partial repayments of the borrowing as the
25revenues become available and may contain any other terms,
26restrictions, or limitations not inconsistent with the

 

 

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1provisions of this Section.
2(Source: P.A. 96-912, eff. 6-9-10.)