101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB3145
 
Introduced , by Rep. Brad Halbrook
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
105 ILCS 5/10-16.5

     Amends the School Code. Removes portions of a school board member's oath of office taken before taking his or her seat on the board.
  


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A BILL FOR
 

  
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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 School Code is amended  by changing Section 
510-16.5 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/10-16.5)
7    Sec. 10-16.5. Oath of office. Each school board member, 
8before taking his or her seat on the board, shall take an oath 
9of office, administered as determined by the board, in 
10substantially the following form:
11        I, (name of member or successful candidate), do 
12    solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge 
13    the duties of the office of member of the Board of 
14    Education (or Board of School Directors, as the case may 
15    be) of (name of school district), in accordance with the 
16    Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the 
17    State of Illinois, and the laws of the State of Illinois, 
18    to the best of my ability.
19        I further swear (or affirm) that:
20        I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a 
21    faithful protector of the school district's assets;

22        I shall encourage and respect the free expression of 
23    opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a 
 
 
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1    hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of 
2    students and employees;
3        I shall recognize that a board member has no legal 
4    authority as an individual and that decisions can be made 
5    only by a majority vote at a public board meeting;
6        I shall abide by majority decisions of the board, while 
7    retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions 
8    through ethical and constructive channels;
9        As part of the Board of Education (or Board of School 
10    Directors, as the case may be), I shall accept the 
11    responsibility for my role in the equitable and quality 
12    education of every student in the school district;
13        I shall foster with the board extensive participation 
14    of the community, formulate goals, define outcomes, and set 
15    the course for (name of school district);
16        I shall assist in establishing a structure and an 
17    environment designed to ensure all students have the 
18    opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a 
19    sound organizational framework;
20        I shall strive to ensure a continuous assessment of 
21    student achievement and all conditions affecting the 
22    education of our children, in compliance with State law;
23        I shall serve as education's key advocate on behalf of 
24    students and our community's school (or schools)  to advance 
25    the vision for (name of school district); and
26        I shall strive to work together with the district 
 
 
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1    superintendent to lead the school district toward 
2    fulfilling the vision the board has created, fostering 
3    excellence for every student in the areas of academic 
4    skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal development. 

5(Source: P.A. 100-1055, eff. 1-1-19.)