093_HB3593

 
                                     LRB093 09931 NHT 10182 b

 1        AN ACT concerning teacher incentives.

 2        Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:

 4        Section  5.  The School Code is amended by adding Section
 5    2-3.131 as follows:

 6        (105 ILCS 5/2-3.131 new)
 7        Sec. 2-3.131.  Quality teacher incentive program.
 8        (a)  The State Board of  Education  shall  implement  and
 9    administer  a  quality teacher incentive program.  Under this
10    program, the State Board of  Education  shall  provide,  from
11    appropriations  made  for  the  purposes  of  this Section, a
12    signing bonus of $1,500 to each eligible teacher.
13        (b)  A teacher is eligible  under  this  program  if  the
14    person has graduated from a regionally accredited institution
15    in  the  top 25% of his or her class, has an Initial Teaching
16    Certificate,  and  agrees  to  teach  for  a  minimum  of   3
17    consecutive years in a public school in this State that is on
18    the academic watch list under Section 2-3.25d of this Code.
19        (c)  A  teacher  who  has  received a signing bonus under
20    this program and leaves employment  with  the  public  school
21    before  the  end  of the 3-year commitment must reimburse the
22    State in the amount of $1,500, unless the teacher has left to
23    accept a teaching position with another public school in this
24    State that is on the academic watch list.
25        (d)  A teacher who receives a signing  bonus  under  this
26    program shall not be deemed an employee of the State.
27        (e)  The  State  Board  of  Education may adopt any rules
28    necessary  to  carry  out  its  responsibilities  under  this
29    Section.

30        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act  takes  effect  on
 
                            -2-      LRB093 09931 NHT 10182 b
 1    July 1, 2003.