House Sponsors: LANG-COULSON-GASH-DAVIS,MONIQUE. Senate Sponsors: PARKER Short description: SCH CD-CHARTER-ST BD ED LOAN Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the State Board of Education making loans to charter schools for start-up costs, provides that if the charter is revoked or not renewed, the then outstanding balance of the loan need not be repaid. FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Education) In FY99, SBE is requesting a $500,000 approp. for the program, the maximum amount that could be affected if all charter schs. were unable to repay any part of a State loan. STATE MANDATES FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Education) No change from SBE fiscal note. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Removes the provision that provides that the outstanding balance of the loan to a charter school for start-up costs need not be repaid if the charter is revoked or not renewed. Provides that a local school board is not responsible for the repayment of the loan. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (State Board of Education) Fiscal impact cannot be estimated until the number of revoked or non-renewed charters is known. STATE MANDATES FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (SBE) No change from SBE amended fiscal note. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (State Board of Education) No change from previous SBE fiscal note, with H-am 1. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/19-1 from Ch. 122, par. 19-1 Further amends the School Code to authorize a school district to incur an additional indebtedness to finance a multi-purpose room addition to an existing high school by the issuance of bonds in an amount not exceeding $4,000,000 if the school district is located in 2 counties, issuance of the bonds has been approved by referendum, the aggregate indebtedness of the district after issuance of the bonds will not exceed 17.4% of the district's EAV, and the bonds are issued within 120 days of the amendatory Act's effective date. Adds an immediate effective date. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-22.6 from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.6 Further amends the School Code. In cases involving a student's expulsion for bringing a weapon to school or school-sponsored or school-related activities or events, provides that the one-year expulsion period, which currently may be modified by the board, instead may be modified by the superintendent, with the superintendent's determination being subject to modification by the board. Provides that certain items that currently constitute a weapon instead may be considered to be a weapon if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily harm. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 3. Further amends the School Code. Changes the definition of the term "weapon" in the Section concerning suspension or expulsion of pupils and school searches. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 4. Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.480 new 30 ILCS 105/6z-46 new Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Right to Read Fund. Provides that all gifts, donations, and charitable contributions that are contributed by a private individual or entity to the State Board of Education for the purpose of improving the reading of children in the public schools shall be deposited into the Fund. Provides that all money in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, by the State Board of Education for distribution to school districts for this purpose. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 5. Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/17-2.2a from Ch. 122, par. 17-2.2a Further amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a tax for special education programs, provides that the tax rate limits may be increased to .40% (instead of .125%) by districts maintaining only grades kindergarten through 8 or only grades 9 through 12 and to .80% (instead of .25%) by districts maintaining grades kindergarten through 12. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 6. Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-1 105 ILCS 5/10-4 105 ILCS 5/10-5 105 ILCS 5/10-6 Further amends the School Code. Provides for the election of a 7-member board of school directors to replace an existing 3-member board in a school district of fewer than 1,000 inhabitants at the first regular school election following referendum approval of a pro- position to that effect initiated by petition of the lesser of 5% or 25 of the electors of the district. Provides that when the 7 newly elected board members take office, the terms of the 3 members who were serving at the time the new members are elected shall expire. Staggers the terms of the initial members of the 7-member board by lot. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 7. Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/34a-411 Further amends the School Code. Provides that certain powers and responsibilities granted to or imposed upon the Authority and the Board are suspended until July 1, 2004. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 9. Authorizes a school district to incur an additional indebtedness to finance the construction of additional facilities to provide a quality educational program by the issuance of bonds if certain conditions are met. Authorizes a school district to incur an addi- tional indebtedness to finance capital improvement, renovation, rehabilitation, or replacement of one or more school buildings, which buildings were originally constructed not less than 70 years ago, by the issuance of bonds if certain conditions are met. Authorizes a school district to incur an additional indebtedness to finance the construction of a new elementary school building to replace an exist- ing multi-level elementary school building that is not handicapped accessible at all levels and parts of which were constructed more than 75 years ago by the issuance of bonds if certain conditions are met. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 90-0757 Last action date: 98-08-14 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 8 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status