SJ0066 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0066 LRB099 23990 MST 51568 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The transportation of elementary and secondary education students is an important public policy issue; and

WHEREAS, Whether or not a school district in Illinois may use a multi-function school activity bus for transportation is continually up for debate; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for accurate and consistent information regarding the legal and appropriate mode of transportation of students in Kindergarten through 12th grade which is made available to administrators, educators, parents, and transportation companies; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Task Force on Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education, consisting of members appointed as follows:

(1) the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee;

(2) the Secretary of State or his or her designee;

(3) the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation or his or her designee;

(4) a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

(5) a member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(6) a member of the House appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(7) a member of the House appointed by the Minority Leader of the House;

(8) a representative of ED-RED;

(9) a representative of the Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers;

(10) a representative of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools;

(11) a representative of the Illinois Education Association;

(12) a representative of the Illinois Federation of Teachers;

(13) a representative of the Illinois School Transportation Association;

(14) a representative of the Large Unit District Association;

(15) a representative of the Legislative Education Network of DuPage (LEND);

(16) a representative of the South Cooperative Organization for Public Education (SCOPE);

(17) a representative from a statewide organization representing principals;

(18) a representative from a statewide organization representing superintendents;

(19) a representative from a statewide organization representing school board members; and

(20) a representative from a statewide organization representing school business officials; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education shall:

(1) be chaired by the Superintendent of the State Board of Education or his or her designee;

(2) conduct a thorough review of existing State and federal law regarding the use of the various modes to transport elementary and secondary education students;

(3) develop concise and consistent information to be communicated by the State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Secretary of State to the public about the legal means by which elementary and secondary education students may be transported such as:

a) the type of vehicle and the required equipment to transport elementary and secondary education students;

b) the allowed purpose of the transportation and any other limits of transportation of elementary and secondary education students by vehicle type;

c) the type of drivers license required to transport elementary and secondary education students; and

d) the requirements for driver licensing and vehicle licensing and inspection; and

(4) make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the Illinois General Assembly regarding the safe transportation of elementary and secondary education students in our State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on the Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education shall seek input from stakeholders and members of the public on the issues to be reviewed and reported on by the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of the Task Force on Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education shall serve without compensation, and the State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education shall meet at the request of the Task Force Chair, but shall meet a minimum of four times prior to September 1, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education shall present its legislative and administrative recommendations to the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Minority Leader of the House no later than September 1, 2017.