Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5244

Creates the I-Connect Computer Technology Act. Requires the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to establish and implement, with the advice of the I-Connect Advisory Board, the I-Connect Computer Advisory Program in order to provide 7th grade students in public schools and their teachers with portable computers. Sets forth standards for the Program. Establishes the I-Connect Computer Technology Advisory Board and sets forth qualifications for its members. Requires the Advisory Board, in conjunction with ISBE, to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the progress of the Program. Establishes the I-Connect Computer Technology Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that it is the sole duty of school districts, school administrators, and school teachers to make decisions relating to the use of portable computers provided by the Program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the I-Connect Computer Technology Fund. Amends the School Code to provide that participation in courses, seminars, or other courses of instruction that develop the technology skills of the teacher or that provide the teacher with skills for integration of technology into the classroom constitutes continuing professional development activities. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Replaces with the bill as introduced with the following changes. Defines "low income student". Provides that a set-aside funding mechanism must be established to cover the costs of replacement portable computers and parts (rather than replacement portable computers, servers, and other equipment). Provides that ISBE shall establish a competitive procurement process for the selection of vendors for the purchase of portable computers and related technical support and professional development. Provides that each Regional Office of Education shall select one vendor that has responded to ISBE's procurement process for the purchase of portable computers and related technical support and professional development for program recipients in its region. Changes the name of the I-Connect Computer Technology Advisory Board to the I-Connect Computer Technology Board. Increases the number of Board members to 10 (rather than 9). Deletes Board member background requirements of higher education administration or teaching and education policy and provides that a background in the Illinois Century Network or other means of accessing the internet in schools is permissible. Requires ISBE to reimburse Board members for necessary travel expenses. Sets forth requirements for Program participants and application to the Program. Deletes a provision prohibiting funds for the Program from being used for the construction of a building or other facility. Deletes provisions allowing any school to opt out of the Program and requiring participating schools to provide necessary data to ISBE and the Board for the annual report. Effective immediately.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Replaces with the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Provides that the I-Connect Computer Technology Board shall, in conjunction with ISBE (rather than ISBE, by rule and with the advice of the I-Connect Computer Technology Board) establish and implement the I-Connect Computer Technology Program. Permits contracts with governmental entities. Provides that the Lieutenant Governor shall serve as Chair of the I-Connect Computer Technology Board. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee shall serve as a member of the Board. Provides that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (rather than ISBE) shall reimburse members for expenses. Removes a requirement that a teacher or administrator designated by a participating school must coordinate with ISBE and the Board. Provides that an application to the Program must contain a requirement to provide the number of 7th graders anticipated for the attendance center for the school year in which the portable computers would be delivered. Requires the annual report to be submitted no later than October 1st (rather than July 1st) of each year. Requires ISBE to adopt rules. Removes a provision of the School Code relating to the registration and renewal of certificates. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

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