(105 ILCS 5/34-8.10)

Sec. 34-8.10. Applications for Learning Zone designation. The board shall evaluate applications from attendance centers within Chicago. Applications shall be in the form prescribed by the board. The board shall, upon majority vote, grant Learning Zone designations that, in its judgment, satisfy the goals and requirements of this Law. The board shall establish policies and procedures necessary to implement this Law.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.11)

Sec. 34-8.11. Evaluation criteria. In determining whether to grant Learning Zone designation, the board shall consider the following factors:

(1) The extent to which the application demonstrates that improved student learning will be the paramount priority and outcome;

(2) Proposed adoption of high, rigorous standards of achievement and outcome for all students and staff;

(3) Proposed use of shared, collegial decision-making;

(4) Creative, flexible, and innovative proposed restructuring of the applicant attendance centers to create student-centered learning environments;

(5) Parental and community integration and involvement;

(6) Development of collaborative relationships with health and human services agencies;

(7) Ability to function on a localized, decentralized basis within the Chicago public school system;

(8) Appropriateness of budget and resource allocations, including those functions to be assumed and those to remain centralized;

(9) Impact of the statutes, regulations, rules, and policies for which waivers are sought; and

(10) Such other factors, not confined to the foregoing, that are fiscally sound and reasonably determinative of successful student outcome.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.12)

Sec. 34-8.12. Attendance center support. Applications for Learning Zone designation must include evidence that the application is supported by the principal of the attendance center and by a majority vote of the Local School Council and attendance center staff. Applications shall include that evidence for each participating attendance center.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.13)

Sec. 34-8.13. Learning Zone designation principles. In performing its duties under this Law, the board shall be guided by the following additional principles:

(1) Learning Zone designations should be effective for an initial period of no less than 3 and no more than 6 years;

(2) Learning Zone designations should encompass clusters of attendance centers through joint application from secondary and feeder elementary schools or in other reasonably related clusters;

(3) Learning Zone designations should encompass, in the aggregate, approximately 10% of the students enrolled in attendance centers within Chicago;

(4) Learning Zone designations should, in the aggregate, be reflective of the racial and ethnic diversity and demography of students enrolled in attendance centers within Chicago;

(5) Learning Zone designations should be fully operational commencing with the 1996-97 school year; and

(6) Learning Zone designation renewals, revisions, and applications for additional waivers of statutes, regulations, rules, and policies should be evaluated in light of the goals of this Law.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.14)

Sec. 34-8.14. Non-waivable provisions. Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary, statutes, regulations, rules, and policy provisions concerning the following shall not be waivable:

(1) student civil rights;

(2) staff civil rights;

(3) health and safety;

(4) performance and financial audits;

(5) Local School Council provisions, including required statements of economic disclosure;

(6) the Open Meetings Act;

(7) the Freedom of Information Act;

(8) the assessments required under Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code;

(9) Chicago learning outcomes;

(10) Sections 2-3.25a through 2-3.25j of this Code; and

(11) collective bargaining agreements.

(Source: P.A. 98-972, eff. 8-15-14.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.15)

Sec. 34-8.15. Reports. The board shall file reports describing statutory waivers encompassed in the Learning Zone designations it grants under Section 34-8.10 with the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Secretary of State before October 1, 1995 and thereafter before each May 1 and October 1. The provisions in the report or as amended by the General Assembly shall take effect as provided by law.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.16)

Sec. 34-8.16. Disapproval or amendment of reports. The General Assembly may disapprove the report of the board in whole, or amend it within 30 calendar days after each house of the legislature next convenes after the report is filed, by adoption of a resolution by a record vote of the majority of the members elected in each house directed to the board. The resolution shall be binding upon the board. Reports shall become effective if the General Assembly fails to disapprove or amend the report within the 30 day period.

For the initial report that the board is required to file before October 1, 1995, the General Assembly may, by January 1, 1996, disapprove the report of the board in whole or amend it, after the report is filed, by the adoption of a resolution by a record vote of the majority of the members. The initial report shall become effective if the General Assembly fails to disapprove or amend the report by January 1, 1996.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.17)

Sec. 34-8.17. Lump-sum allocation; key centralized functions. Final designation as a Learning Zone under this Law shall entitle the participating attendance centers to receive funds in lump-sum allocations, to budget and spend those funds, and to operate in accordance with the designation and this Law. Lump-sum allocations shall be based on the number of enrolled regular and special needs students and shall include all operating funds for compensation, supplies, equipment, repairs, energy, maintenance, transportation, and professional services, and all special funds that follow special populations, including desegregation, special education, bilingual, federal, and State Chapter 1 funds. A sum equal to 3.2% of operating funds shall be deducted by the board to provide key centralized functions, unless a designated Learning Zone obtains one or more of those functions elsewhere, in which case the sum shall be appropriately adjusted. As used in this Law, key centralized functions shall mean:

(1) Equity assurance staff to ensure that services are maintained for students with disabilities, English learners, low-income students, and any other special need students as required by federal law;

(2) Payroll services and background and credential checks;

(3) Budget and treasury services to levy and collect taxes and distribute lump-sum funding;

(4) Central computer systems providing information distribution and networking;

(5) On-line data collection and analysis centers for student and school data;

(6) Emergency pool funding; and

(7) Legal and labor departmental services for system-wide litigation and collective bargaining negotiations.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.18)

Sec. 34-8.18. The board shall revoke Learning Zone designation and the attendance center or centers involved shall return to their prior status upon a finding of:

(1) A material violation of conditions, standards, or procedures established in the designation or this Law;

(2) Failure to meet or make reasonable progress toward achievement of goals;

(3) Failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management; or

(4) Conditions jeopardizing the health or safety of students.

Technical assistance designed to resolve items (1) through (4) may, in the discretion of the board, be provided to attendance centers prior to or in lieu of revocation of Learning Zone designations.

(Source: P.A. 89-3, eff. 2-27-95; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-8.19)

Sec. 34-8.19. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)