Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5918

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that a charter shall be granted for a period of 5 school years (instead of may be granted for a period not less than 5 and not more than 10 school years) and may be renewed in incremental periods not to exceed 10 (instead of 5) school years. With respect to start-up grants and loans from the Charter Schools Revolving Loan Fund, makes changes concerning their use and the maximum amount that may be awarded. Provides that (i) an additional charter school campus of a replicating charter school is eligible to receive a loan; (ii) if a charter school is located in a building owned by its school district, the State Board of Education shall award 10% of the loan for that charter school to the district; (iii) the State Board may prioritize awarding loan funds to charter schools located in buildings owned by their school district; and (iv) a charter school is responsible for repaying only the loan amount that the charter school received. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause with provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Provides that a charter school must meet all standards for academic, organizational, and financial performance set forth by the authorizer in order to be renewed for a full term of 10 years. Provides that in making the decision to grant a full 10-year renewal term, the authorizer shall ensure that the academic performance of the charter school meets or exceeds the academic goals set forth in the charter contract. Provides that an authorizer shall not be required to grant a full 10-year renewal term to any particular charter school, but an authorizer may award a full 10-year renewal term to charter schools that have a demonstrated track record of improving student performance. Restores a grant amount of $250 per student (rather than $750 per student) for a grant to charter schools for certain start-up costs. Removes language concerning loans to charter schools for additional charter school campuses and to charter schools located in buildings owned by their school districts. Removes the effective date.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause with provisions of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 3 with the following changes: Provides that the State Charter School Commission can renew a charter only in incremental periods not to exceed 5 years. Provides that authorizers shall ensure that every charter granted includes standards and goals for academic, organization, and financial performance. Provides that a charter must meet all standards and goals in order to be renewed for a term in excess of 5 years but not more than 10 years (rather than the authorizer shall ensure that the academic performance of the charter school meets or exceeds the academic goals set forth in the charter contract). Provides that if an authorizer fails to establish standards and goals, a charter shall not be renewed for a term in excess of 5 years. Makes a technical change.

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