105 ILCS 5/ School Code.

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.197)

Sec. 2-3.197. Imagination Library of Illinois; grant program. To promote the development of a comprehensive statewide initiative for encouraging preschool age children to develop a love of reading and learning, the State Board of Education is authorized to develop, fund, support, promote, and operate the Imagination Library of Illinois Program, which is hereby established. For purposes of this Section, "State program" means the Imagination Library of Illinois Program.

(a) State program funds shall be used to provide, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, one age-appropriate book, per month, to each registered child from birth to age 5 in participating counties. Books shall be sent monthly to each registered child's home at no cost to families. Subject to an annual appropriation, the State Board of Education shall contribute the State's matching funds per the cost-sharing framework established by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the State program. The State program shall contribute the 50% match of funds required of local programs participating in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Local program partners shall match the State program funds to provide the remaining 50% match of funds required by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

(1) The Imagination Library of Illinois Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State Treasury. The State Board of Education may accept gifts, grants, awards, donations, matching contributions, appropriations, interest income, public or private bequests, and cost sharings from any individuals, businesses, governments, or other third-party sources, and any federal funds. All moneys received under this Section shall be deposited into the Imagination Library of Illinois Fund. Any moneys that are unobligated or unexpended at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the Imagination Library of Illinois Fund, shall not lapse into the General Revenue Fund, and shall be available to the Board for expenditure in the next fiscal year, subject to appropriation. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, this Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative chargebacks, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that in any way would transfer any amount from this Fund into any other fund of the State.

(2) Moneys received under this Section are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and may only be expended for purposes consistent with the conditions under which the moneys were received, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Moneys in the Fund shall be used to provide age-appropriate books on a monthly basis, at home, to each child registered in the Imagination Library of Illinois Program, from birth through their fifth birthday, at no cost to families, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

(ii) Subject to availability, moneys in the Fund shall be allocated to qualified local entities that provide a dollar-for-dollar match for the program. As used in this Section, "qualified local entity" means any existing or new local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliate.

(iii) Moneys in the Fund may be used by the State Board of Education to pay for administrative expenses of the State program, including associated operating expenses of the State Board of Education or any nonprofit entity that coordinates the State program pursuant to subsection (b).

(b) The State Board of Education shall coordinate with a nonprofit entity qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to operate the State program. That organization must be organized solely to promote and encourage reading by the children of the State, for the purpose of implementing this Section.

(c) The State Board of Education shall provide oversight of the nonprofit entity that operates the State program pursuant to subsection (b) to ensure the nonprofit entity does all of the following:

(1) Promotes the statewide development of local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library programs.

(2) Advances and strengthens local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library programs with the goal of increasing enrollment.

(3) Develops community engagement.

(4) Develops, promotes, and coordinates a public awareness campaign to make donors aware of the opportunity to donate to the affiliate programs and make the public aware of the opportunity to register eligible children to receive books through the program.

(5) Administers the local match requirement and coordinates the collection and remittance of local program costs for books and mailing.

(6) Develops statewide marketing and communication plans.

(7) Solicits donations, gifts, and other funding from statewide partners to financially support local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library programs.

(8) Identifies and applies for available grant awards.

(d) The State Board of Education shall make publicly available on an annual basis information regarding the number of local programs that exist, where the local programs are located, the number of children that are enrolled in the program, the number of books that have been provided, and those entities or organizations that serve as local partners.

(e) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be needed for the administration of the Imagination Library of Illinois Program.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/Art. 3 heading) ARTICLE 3. REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

(105 ILCS 5/3-0.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-0.01)

Sec. 3-0.01. "County superintendent of schools" and "regional superintendent of schools" defined - Application of Article.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (b), after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1975, the chief administrative officer of an educational service region shall be designated and referred to as the "regional superintendent of schools" or the "regional superintendent" and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1993 the office held by the chief administrative officer shall be designated and referred to as the "regional office of education". For purposes of the School Code and except as otherwise provided by subsection (b), any reference to "county superintendent of schools" or "county superintendent" means the regional superintendent of schools.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article, but subject to subsection (b-1), in educational service regions containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the office of regional superintendent of schools is abolished. Subject to Section 2-3.105 of this Code, all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities theretofore vested by law in, and exercised and performed by the regional superintendent of schools and by any assistant regional superintendents or other assistants or employees in the office of the regional superintendent of schools being abolished shall be vested in, exercised and performed by the chief administrative officer of the educational service centers established pursuant to Section 2-3.62 of this Code for any educational service region containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants. Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, in an educational service region containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants: (i) all books, records, maps, papers and other documents belonging to or subject to the control or disposition of the former regional superintendent of schools by virtue of his office shall be transferred and delivered to the State Board of Education; (ii) possession or control over all moneys, deposits and accounts in the possession or subject to the control or disposition of the former regional superintendent of schools by virtue of his office, including but not limited to undistributed or unexpended moneys drawn from, and all amounts on deposit in, the county, institute and supervisory expense funds, shall be transferred to and placed under the control and disposition of the State Board of Education, excepting only those moneys or accounts, if any, the source of which is the county treasury, for proper redistribution to the educational service centers; and (iii) all other equipment, furnishings, supplies and other personal property belonging to or subject to the control or disposition of the former regional superintendent of schools by virtue of his office, excepting only those items which were provided by the county board, shall be transferred and delivered to the State Board of Education. Any reference in this Code to "regional superintendent of schools" or "regional superintendent", or "county superintendent of schools" or "county superintendent" shall mean, with respect to any educational service region containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants in which the office of regional superintendent of schools is abolished, the chief administrative officer of the educational service centers established pursuant to Section 2-3.62 of this Code for the educational service region. Upon and after the first Monday of August 1995, references in this Code and elsewhere to educational service regions of 2,000,000 or fewer inhabitants shall exclude any educational service region containing a city of 500,000 or more inhabitants and references in this Code and elsewhere to educational service regions of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants shall mean an educational service region containing a city of 500,000 or more inhabitants regardless of the actual population of the region.

(b-1) References to "regional superintendent" shall also include the chief administrative officer of the educational service centers established under Section 2-3.62 of this Code and serving that portion of a Class II county outside a city of 500,000 or more population.

(c) This Article applies to the regional superintendent of a multicounty educational service region formed under Article 3A as well as to a single county or partial county region, except that in case of conflict between the provisions of this Article and of Article 3A in the case of a multicounty region, the provisions of Article 3A shall apply. Any reference to "county" or to "educational service region" in this Article means a regional office of education.

(Source: P.A. 98-647, eff. 6-13-14.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-1)

Sec. 3-1. Election; eligibility. Quadrennially there shall be elected in every county, except those which have been consolidated into a multicounty educational service region under Article 3A and except those having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, a regional superintendent of schools, who shall enter upon the discharge of his duties on the first Monday of August next after his election; provided, however, that the term of office of each regional superintendent of schools in office on June 30, 2003 is terminated on July 1, 2003, except that an incumbent regional superintendent of schools shall continue to serve until his successor is elected and qualified, and each regional superintendent of schools elected at the general election in 2002 and every four years thereafter shall assume office on the first day of July next after his election. No one is eligible to file his petition at any primary election for the nomination as candidate for the office of regional superintendent of schools nor to enter upon the duties of such office either by election or appointment unless he possesses the following qualifications: (1) he is of good character, (2) he has a master's degree, (3) he has earned at least 20 semester hours of credit in professional education at the graduate level, (4) he holds a valid all grade supervisory license, a valid State limited supervisory license, a valid state life supervisory license, or a valid administrative license, (5) he has had at least 4 years experience in teaching, and (6) he was engaged for at least 2 years of the 4 previous years in full time teaching or supervising in the common public schools or serving as a county superintendent of schools or regional superintendent of schools for an educational service region in the State of Illinois.

No petition of any candidate for nomination for the office of regional superintendent of schools may be filed and no such candidate's name may be placed on a primary or general election ballot, unless such candidate files as part of his petition a certificate from the State Board of Education certifying that from the records of its office such candidate has the qualifications required by this Section; however, any incumbent filing his petition for nomination for a succeeding term of office shall not be required to attach such certificate to his petition of candidacy.

Nomination papers filed under this Section are not valid unless the candidate named therein files with the county clerk or State Board of Elections a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Such receipt shall be so filed either previously during the calendar year in which his nomination papers were filed or within the period for the filing of nomination papers in accordance with the general election law.

The changes in qualifications made by Public Act 76-1563 do not affect the right of an incumbent to seek reelection.

On and after July 1, 1994, the provisions of this Section shall have no application in any educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants; provided further that no election shall be held in November of 1994 or at any other time after July 1, 1992 for the office of regional superintendent of schools in any county or educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-1.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-1.1)

Sec. 3-1.1. Eligible voters. Whenever a unit school district is located in more than one educational service region, a qualified elector residing in that unit school district but outside of the educational service region administered by the regional superintendent of schools having supervision and control over that unit school district shall be eligible to vote in any election held to elect the regional superintendent of schools of the educational service region that is administered by the regional superintendent of schools who has supervision and control over that unit school district, but the elector shall not also be eligible to vote in the election held to elect the regional superintendent of schools of the educational service region in which the elector resides.

Not less than 100 days before each general primary election, the regional superintendent of schools shall certify to the State Board of Elections a list of each unit school district under his or her supervision and control and each county in which all or any part of each of those districts is located. The State Board of Elections shall certify each of those unit school districts and counties to the appropriate election authorities within 20 days after receiving the list certified by the regional superintendent of schools.

The election authority in a single county educational service region whose regional superintendent of schools exercises supervision and control over a unit school district that is located in that single county educational service region and in one or more other educational service regions shall certify to the election authority of each of those other educational service regions in which the unit school district is located the candidates for the office of the regional superintendent of schools exercising supervision and control over that unit school district.

(Source: P.A. 87-328; 88-535.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-2) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-2)

Sec. 3-2. Oath of office - Bond - Salary. Before entering upon his or her duties a regional superintendent of schools shall take and subscribe the oath prescribed by the Constitution and execute a bond payable to the People of the State of Illinois with 2 or more responsible persons having an interest in real estate as sureties (or, if the county is self-insured, the county through its self-insurance program may provide bonding), to be approved by the county board in a penalty of not less than $100,000, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his or her duties and upon the delivery to his or her successor in office of all monies, books, papers and property in his or her custody as such regional superintendent of schools.

This bond shall be filed in the office of the county clerk, and action upon it may be maintained by any corporate body interested, for the benefit of any township or fund injured by any breach of its condition.

If any vacancy in the office of regional superintendent of schools occurs, such vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by Section 3A-6.

Regional Superintendents of Schools shall receive the salary provided by Section 3-2.5.

On and after July 1, 1994, the provisions of this Section shall have no application in any educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants.

(Source: P.A. 88-387; 89-233, eff. 1-1-96.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-2.5)

Sec. 3-2.5. Salaries.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the regional superintendents of schools shall receive for their services an annual salary according to the population, as determined by the last preceding federal census, of the region they serve, as set out in the following schedule:

Beginning July 1, 2023, all regional superintendents of schools shall receive the same salary regardless of the population of the region they serve. The salary shall be equal to the middle annual salary tier.

The changes made by Public Act 86-98 in the annual salary that the regional superintendents of schools shall receive for their services shall apply to the annual salary received by the regional superintendents of schools during each of their elected terms of office that commence after July 26, 1989 and before the first Monday of August, 1995.

The changes made by Public Act 89-225 in the annual salary that regional superintendents of schools shall receive for their services shall apply to the annual salary received by the regional superintendents of schools during their elected terms of office that commence after August 4, 1995 and end on August 1, 1999.

The changes made by this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly in the annual salary that the regional superintendents of schools shall receive for their services shall apply to the annual salary received by the regional superintendents of schools during each of their elected terms of office that commence on or after August 2, 1999.

Beginning July 1, 2000, the salary that the regional superintendent of schools receives for his or her services shall be adjusted annually to reflect the percentage increase, if any, in the most recent Consumer Price Index, as defined and officially reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, except that no annual increment may exceed 2.9%. If the percentage of change in the Consumer Price Index is a percentage decrease, the salary that the regional superintendent of schools receives shall not be adjusted for that year.

When regional superintendents are authorized by the School Code to appoint assistant regional superintendents, the assistant regional superintendent shall receive an annual salary based on his or her qualifications and computed as a percentage of the salary of the regional superintendent to whom he or she is assistant, as set out in the following schedule:

However, in any region in which the appointment of more than one assistant regional superintendent is authorized, whether by Section 3-15.10 of this Code or otherwise, not more than one assistant may be compensated at the 90% rate and any other assistant shall be paid at not exceeding the 75% rate, in each case depending on the qualifications of the assistant.

The salaries provided in this Section plus an amount for other employment-related compensation or benefits for regional superintendents and assistant regional superintendents are payable monthly by the State Board of Education out of the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund through a specific appropriation to that effect in the State Board of Education budget. The State Comptroller in making his or her warrant to any county for the amount due it from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund shall deduct from it the several amounts for which warrants have been issued to the regional superintendent, and any assistant regional superintendent, of the educational service region encompassing the county since the preceding apportionment from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund.

County boards may provide for additional compensation for the regional superintendent or the assistant regional superintendents, or for each of them, to be paid quarterly from the county treasury.

(b) (Blank).

(c) If the State pays all or any portion of the employee contributions required under Section 16-152 of the Illinois Pension Code for employees of the State Board of Education, it shall also, subject to appropriation in the State Board of Education budget for such payments to Regional Superintendents and Assistant Regional Superintendents, pay the employee contributions required of regional superintendents of schools and assistant regional superintendents of schools on the same basis, but excluding any contributions based on compensation that is paid by the county rather than the State.

This subsection (c) applies to contributions based on payments of salary earned after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, except that in the case of an elected regional superintendent of schools, this subsection does not apply to contributions based on payments of salary earned during a term of office that commenced before the effective date of this amendatory Act.

(d) References to "regional superintendent" in this Section shall also include the chief administrative officer of the educational service centers established under Section 2-3.62 of this Code and serving that portion of a Class II county school unit outside of a city with a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants. References to "assistant regional superintendent" in this Section shall include one assistant appointed by the chief administrative officer of the educational service centers established under Section 2-3.62 of this Code and serving that portion of a Class II county school unit outside of a city with a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants. For the purposes of calculating regional superintendent and assistant regional superintendent salaries for educational service centers established under Section 2-3.62 of this Code, populations shall be established by subtracting from the total county population the population of a city with 500,000 or more inhabitants, divided by the number of educational service centers in the county.

(Source: P.A. 103-110, eff. 6-29-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-3)

Sec. 3-3. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 87-1251. Repealed by P.A. 103-110, eff. 6-29-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-5) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-5)

Sec. 3-5. Report of official acts. The county superintendent shall present under oath or affirmation to the county board at its meeting in September and as nearly quarterly thereafter as it may have regular or special meetings, a report of all his acts as county superintendent, including a list of all the schools visited with the dates of visitation.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-6) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-6)

Sec. 3-6. Financial report - Presentation of books and vouchers for inspection. The regional superintendent shall report, in writing, to the county board, on or before January 1 of each year, stating, (1) the balance on hand at the time of the last report, and all receipts since that date, with the sources from which they were derived; (2) the amount distributed to each of the school treasurers in his county; (3) any balance on hand. At the same time he shall present for inspection his books and vouchers for all expenditures, and submit in writing a statement of the condition of the institute fund and of any other funds in his care, custody or control.

(Source: P.A. 81-624.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-6.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-6.1)

Sec. 3-6.1. Presentation of records for financial audit. Each regional superintendent of schools, whether for a multicounty or for a single county educational service region, shall present for inspection or otherwise make available to the Auditor General, or to the agents designated by the Auditor General, all financial statements, books, vouchers and other records required to be so presented or made available pursuant to Section 2-3.17a and the rules and regulations of the Auditor General pursuant to that Section.

(Source: P.A. 92-544, eff. 6-12-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-7) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-7)

Sec. 3-7. Failure to prepare and forward information. If the trustees of schools of any township in Class II county school units, or any school district which forms a part of a Class II county school unit but which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of any township in which such district is located, or any school district in any Class I county school units fail to prepare and forward or cause to be prepared and forwarded to the regional superintendent of schools, reports required by this Act, the regional superintendent of schools shall furnish such information or he shall employ a person or persons to furnish such information, as far as practicable. Such person shall have access to the books, records and papers of the school district to enable him or them to prepare such reports, and the school district shall permit such person or persons to examine such books, records and papers at such time and such place as such person or persons may desire for the purpose aforesaid. For such services the regional superintendent of schools shall bill the district an amount to cover the cost of preparation of such reports if he employs a person to prepare such reports.

Each school district shall, as of June 30 of each year, cause an audit of its accounts to be made by a person lawfully qualified to practice public accounting as regulated by the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Such audit shall include financial statements of the district applicable to the type of records required by other sections of this Act and in addition shall set forth the scope of audit and shall include the professional opinion signed by the auditor, or if such an opinion is denied by the auditor, shall set forth the reasons for such denial. Each school district shall on or before October 15 of each year, submit an original and one copy of such audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the educational service region having jurisdiction in which case the regional superintendent of schools shall be relieved of responsibility in regard to the accounts of the school district. If any school district fails to supply the regional superintendent of schools with a copy of such audit report on or before October 15, or within such time extended by the regional superintendent of schools from that date, not to exceed 60 days, then it shall be the responsibility of the regional superintendent of schools having jurisdiction to cause such audit to be made by employing an accountant licensed to practice in the State of Illinois to conduct such audit and shall bill the district for such services, or shall with the personnel of his office make such audit to his satisfaction and bill the district for such service. In the latter case, if the audit is made by personnel employed in the office of the regional superintendent of schools having jurisdiction, then the regional superintendent of schools shall not be relieved of the responsibility as to the accountability of the school district. The copy of the audit shall be forwarded by the regional superintendent to the State Board of Education on or before November 15 of each year and shall be filed by the State Board of Education.

Each school district that is the administrative district for several school districts operating under a joint agreement as authorized by this Act shall, as of June 30 each year, cause an audit of the accounts of the joint agreement to be made by a person lawfully qualified to practice public accounting as regulated by the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Such audit shall include financial statements of the operation of the joint agreement applicable to the type of records required by this Act and, in addition, shall set forth the scope of the audit and shall include the professional opinion signed by the auditor, or if such an opinion is denied, the auditor shall set forth the reason for such denial. Each administrative district of a joint agreement shall on or before October 15 each year, submit an original and one copy of such audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the educational service region having jurisdiction in which case the regional superintendent of schools shall be relieved of responsibility in regard to the accounts of the joint agreement. The copy of the audit shall be forwarded by the regional superintendent to the State Board of Education on or before November 15 of each year and shall be filed by the State Board of Education. The cost of such an audit shall be apportioned among and paid by the several districts who are parties to the joint agreement, in the same manner as other costs and expenses accruing to the districts jointly.

The State Board of Education shall determine the adequacy of the audits. All audits shall be kept on file in the office of the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 86-1441; 87-473.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-8) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-8)

Sec. 3-8. School treasurer's bond - Duties of regional superintendent. Whenever the bond of any school treasurer, approved by the trustees of schools or school board as required by law, is filed with the regional superintendent of schools, he shall carefully examine it, and if it is found to be in all respects according to law, and the sureties sufficient, he shall endorse his approval thereon, and file it with the papers of his office; but if the bond is in any respect defective, or if the penalty is or sureties are insufficient, he shall return it for correction. When the bond has been received and filed, the superintendent shall, on demand, deliver to the school treasurer a written statement certifying that his bond has been approved and filed and that the school treasurer is entitled to the care and custody, on demand, of all moneys and securities belonging to the township or district for which he is treasurer and all books and papers pertaining to his office. The regional superintendent of schools shall file with the State Board of Education before September 1 in each year an affidavit showing which treasurers of school districts under his supervision and control are properly bonded.

(Source: P.A. 81-1508.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-9) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-9)

Sec. 3-9. School funds; apportionment and payment. Whenever the regional superintendent receives amounts due to local school districts, the regional superintendent shall apportion and distribute the moneys to the appropriate local school districts as directed. No part of the State or other school funding, however, shall be paid to any school treasurer or other persons authorized to receive it unless such treasurer has filed the required bond, or if reelected, has renewed the bond and filed it as required by law.

(Source: P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-9.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-9.1)

Sec. 3-9.1. Investment of funds. Funds of the educational service region are public funds within the meaning of the Public Funds Investment Act and may be invested by the educational service region as provided in that Act, except as otherwise provided in this Code.

Any educational service region, with the approval of its regional superintendent of schools, is authorized to enter into agreements of any definite or indefinite term regarding the deposit, redeposit, investment, reinvestment or withdrawal of educational service region funds, including, without limitation, agreements with other educational service regions, agreements with community college districts authorized by Section 3-47 of the Public Community College Act and agreements with township and school treasurers authorized by Section 8-7 of this Code.

Each educational service region is permitted to (i) combine moneys of the educational service region for the purpose of investing the moneys and (ii) join with other educational service regions, community college districts, and township and school treasurers in investing educational service region funds, community college funds and school funds. Those joint investments shall be made only in investments authorized by law for the investment of educational service region funds or, in the case of investments made jointly with community colleges and school and township treasurers, in investments authorized by law for the investment of educational service region funds, community college funds and school funds. When moneys of more than one fund of a single educational service region are combined for investment purposes or when moneys of an educational service region are combined with moneys of other educational service regions or moneys of community college districts and school districts, the moneys combined for that purpose shall be accounted for separately in all respects, and the earnings from that investment shall be separately and individually computed and recorded, and credited to the fund or educational service region, community college district or school district, as the case may be, for which the investment was acquired.

(Source: P.A. 87-968; 88-641, eff. 9-9-94.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-9.5)

Sec. 3-9.5. Interfund loans allowed. A regional office of education is allowed to make interfund loans. If a regional office of education makes an interfund loan, then it must repay the loan by the end of the fiscal year.

(Source: P.A. 92-169, eff. 1-1-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-10) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-10)

Sec. 3-10. Controversies - opinion and advice - Appeal. In all controversies arising under the school law, the opinion and advice of the regional superintendent shall first be sought, whence appeal may be taken upon a written statement of facts certified by the regional superintendent to the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 81-1508.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-11) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-11)

(Text of Section from P.A. 99-616)

Sec. 3-11. Institutes or inservice training workshops. In counties of less than 2,000,000 inhabitants, the regional superintendent may arrange for or conduct district, regional, or county institutes, or equivalent professional educational experiences, not more than 4 days annually. Of those 4 days, 2 days may be used as a teacher's and educational support personnel workshop, when approved by the regional superintendent, up to 2 days may be used for conducting parent-teacher conferences, or up to 2 days may be utilized as parental institute days as provided in Section 10-22.18d. Educational support personnel may be exempt from a workshop if the workshop is not relevant to the work they do. A school district may use one of its 4 institute days on the last day of the school term. "Institute" or "Professional educational experiences" means any educational gathering, demonstration of methods of instruction, visitation of schools or other institutions or facilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness seminar, or training in First Aid (which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillator training) held or approved by the regional superintendent and declared by him to be an institute day, or parent-teacher conferences. With the concurrence of the State Superintendent of Education, he or she may employ such assistance as is necessary to conduct the institute. Two or more adjoining counties may jointly hold an institute. Institute instruction shall be free to holders of licenses good in the county or counties holding the institute and to those who have paid an examination fee and failed to receive a license.

In counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the regional superintendent may arrange for or conduct district, regional, or county inservice training workshops, or equivalent professional educational experiences, not more than 4 days annually. Of those 4 days, 2 days may be used as a teacher's and educational support personnel workshop, when approved by the regional superintendent, up to 2 days may be used for conducting parent-teacher conferences, or up to 2 days may be utilized as parental institute days as provided in Section 10-22.18d. Educational support personnel may be exempt from a workshop if the workshop is not relevant to the work they do. A school district may use one of those 4 days on the last day of the school term. "Inservice Training Workshops" or "Professional educational experiences" means any educational gathering, demonstration of methods of instruction, visitation of schools or other institutions or facilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness seminar, or training in First Aid (which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillator training) held or approved by the regional superintendent and declared by him to be an inservice training workshop, or parent-teacher conferences. With the concurrence of the State Superintendent of Education, he may employ such assistance as is necessary to conduct the inservice training workshop. With the approval of the regional superintendent, 2 or more adjoining districts may jointly hold an inservice training workshop. In addition, with the approval of the regional superintendent, one district may conduct its own inservice training workshop with subject matter consultants requested from the county, State or any State institution of higher learning.

Such teachers institutes as referred to in this Section may be held on consecutive or separate days at the option of the regional superintendent having jurisdiction thereof.

Whenever reference is made in this Act to "teachers institute", it shall be construed to include the inservice training workshops or equivalent professional educational experiences provided for in this Section.

Any institute advisory committee existing on April 1, 1995, is dissolved and the duties and responsibilities of the institute advisory committee are assumed by the regional office of education advisory board.

Districts providing inservice training programs shall constitute inservice committees, 1/2 of which shall be teachers, 1/4 school service personnel and 1/4 administrators to establish program content and schedules.

The teachers institutes shall include teacher training committed to (i) peer counseling programs and other anti-violence and conflict resolution programs, including without limitation programs for preventing at risk students from committing violent acts, and (ii) educator ethics and teacher-student conduct. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the teachers institutes shall include instruction on prevalent student chronic health conditions. Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the teachers institutes shall include, at least once every 2 years, instruction on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act as it pertains to the school environment.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15; 99-616, eff. 7-22-16.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-413)

Sec. 3-11. Institutes or inservice training workshops.

(a) In counties of less than 2,000,000 inhabitants, the regional superintendent may arrange for or conduct district, regional, or county institutes, or equivalent professional educational experiences, not more than 4 days annually. Of those 4 days, 2 days may be used as a teacher's and educational support personnel workshop, when approved by the regional superintendent, up to 2 days may be used for conducting parent-teacher conferences, or up to 2 days may be utilized as parental institute days as provided in Section 10-22.18d. Educational support personnel may be exempt from a workshop if the workshop is not relevant to the work they do. A school district may use one of its 4 institute days on the last day of the school term. "Institute" or "Professional educational experiences" means any educational gathering, demonstration of methods of instruction, visitation of schools or other institutions or facilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness seminar, or training in First Aid (which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillator training) held or approved by the regional superintendent and declared by him to be an institute day, or parent-teacher conferences. With the concurrence of the State Superintendent of Education, he or she may employ such assistance as is necessary to conduct the institute. Two or more adjoining counties may jointly hold an institute. Institute instruction shall be free to holders of licenses good in the county or counties holding the institute and to those who have paid an examination fee and failed to receive a license.

In counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the regional superintendent may arrange for or conduct district, regional, or county inservice training workshops, or equivalent professional educational experiences, not more than 4 days annually. Of those 4 days, 2 days may be used as a teacher's and educational support personnel workshop, when approved by the regional superintendent, up to 2 days may be used for conducting parent-teacher conferences, or up to 2 days may be utilized as parental institute days as provided in Section 10-22.18d. Educational support personnel may be exempt from a workshop if the workshop is not relevant to the work they do. A school district may use one of those 4 days on the last day of the school term. "Inservice Training Workshops" or "Professional educational experiences" means any educational gathering, demonstration of methods of instruction, visitation of schools or other institutions or facilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness seminar, or training in First Aid (which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillator training) held or approved by the regional superintendent and declared by him to be an inservice training workshop, or parent-teacher conferences. With the concurrence of the State Superintendent of Education, he may employ such assistance as is necessary to conduct the inservice training workshop. With the approval of the regional superintendent, 2 or more adjoining districts may jointly hold an inservice training workshop. In addition, with the approval of the regional superintendent, one district may conduct its own inservice training workshop with subject matter consultants requested from the county, State or any State institution of higher learning.

Such teachers institutes as referred to in this Section may be held on consecutive or separate days at the option of the regional superintendent having jurisdiction thereof.

Whenever reference is made in this Act to "teachers institute", it shall be construed to include the inservice training workshops or equivalent professional educational experiences provided for in this Section.

Any institute advisory committee existing on April 1, 1995, is dissolved and the duties and responsibilities of the institute advisory committee are assumed by the regional office of education advisory board.

Districts providing inservice training programs shall constitute inservice committees, 1/2 of which shall be teachers, 1/4 school service personnel and 1/4 administrators to establish program content and schedules.

The teachers institutes shall include teacher training committed to (i) peer counseling programs and other anti-violence and conflict resolution programs, including without limitation programs for preventing at risk students from committing violent acts, and (ii) educator ethics and teacher-student conduct. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the teachers institutes shall include instruction on prevalent student chronic health conditions. Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the teachers institutes shall include, at least once every 2 years, instruction on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act as it pertains to the school environment.

(b) In this subsection (b):

"Trauma" is defined according to an event, an experience, and effects. Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, or emotional well-being. Collective trauma is a psychological reaction to a traumatic event shared by any group of people. This may include, but is not limited to, community violence, experiencing racism and discrimination, and the lack of the essential supports for well-being, such as educational or economic opportunities, food, health care, housing, and community cohesion. Trauma can be experienced by anyone, though it is disproportionately experienced by members of marginalized groups. Systemic and historical oppression, such as racism, is often at the root of this inequity. Symptoms may vary at different developmental stages and across different cultural groups and different communities.

"Trauma-responsive learning environments" means learning environments developed during an ongoing, multiyear-long process that typically progresses across the following 3 stages:

(1) A school or district is "trauma aware" when it:

(A) has personnel that demonstrate a foundational understanding of a broad definition of trauma that is developmentally and culturally based; includes students, personnel, and communities; and recognizes the potential effect on biological, cognitive, academic, and social-emotional functioning; and

(B) recognizes that traumatic exposure can impact behavior and learning and should be acknowledged in policies, strategies, and systems of support for students, families, and personnel.

(2) A school or district is "trauma responsive" when it progresses from awareness to action in the areas of policy, practice, and structural changes within a multi-tiered system of support to promote safety, positive relationships, and self-regulation while underscoring the importance of personal well-being and cultural responsiveness. Such progress may:

(A) be aligned with the Illinois Quality Framework and integrated into a school or district's continuous improvement process as evidence to support allocation of financial resources;

(B) be assessed and monitored by a multidisciplinary leadership team on an ongoing basis; and

(C) involve the engagement and capacity building of personnel at all levels to ensure that adults in the learning environment are prepared to recognize and respond to those impacted by trauma.

(3) A school or district is healing centered when it acknowledges its role and responsibility to the community, fully responds to trauma, and promotes resilience and healing through genuine, trusting, and creative relationships. Such schools or districts may:

(A) promote holistic and collaborative approaches that are grounded in culture, spirituality, civic engagement, and equity; and

(B) support agency within individuals, families, and communities while engaging people in collective action that moves from transactional to transformational.

"Whole child" means using a child-centered, holistic, equitable lens across all systems that prioritizes physical, mental, and social-emotional health to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, supported, challenged, engaged, and protected.

Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the teachers institutes shall provide instruction on trauma-informed practices and include the definitions of trauma, trauma-responsive learning environments, and whole child set forth in this subsection (b) before the first student attendance day of each school year.

(Source: P.A. 103-413, eff. 1-1-24.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-542)

Sec. 3-11. Institutes or inservice training workshops. In counties of less than 2,000,000 inhabitants, the regional superintendent may arrange for or conduct district, regional, or county institutes, or equivalent professional educational experiences, not more than 4 days annually. Of those 4 days, 2 days may be used as a teachers, administrators, and school support personnel workshop, when approved by the regional superintendent, up to 2 days may be used for conducting parent-teacher conferences, or up to 2 days may be utilized as parental institute days as provided in Section 10-22.18d. School support personnel may be exempt from a workshop if the workshop is not relevant to the work they do. A school district may use one of its 4 institute days on the last day of the school term. "Institute" or "Professional educational experiences" means any educational gathering, demonstration of methods of instruction, visitation of schools or other institutions or facilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness seminar, or training in First Aid (which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillator training) held or approved by the regional superintendent and declared by him to be an institute day, or parent-teacher conferences. With the concurrence of the State Superintendent of Education, the regional superintendent may employ such assistance as is necessary to conduct the institute. Two or more adjoining counties may jointly hold an institute. Institute instruction shall be free to holders of licenses good in the county or counties holding the institute and to those who have paid an examination fee and failed to receive a license.

In counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the regional superintendent may arrange for or conduct district, regional, or county inservice training workshops, or equivalent professional educational experiences, not more than 4 days annually. Of those 4 days, 2 days may be used as a teachers, administrators, and school support personnel workshop, when approved by the regional superintendent, up to 2 days may be used for conducting parent-teacher conferences, or up to 2 days may be utilized as parental institute days as provided in Section 10-22.18d. School support personnel may be exempt from a workshop if the workshop is not relevant to the work they do. A school district may use one of those 4 days on the last day of the school term. "Inservice Training Workshops" or "Professional educational experiences" means any educational gathering, demonstration of methods of instruction, visitation of schools or other institutions or facilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness seminar, or training in First Aid (which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillator training) held or approved by the regional superintendent and declared by the regional superintendent to be an inservice training workshop, or parent-teacher conferences. With the concurrence of the State Superintendent of Education, the regional superintendent may employ such assistance as is necessary to conduct the inservice training workshop. With the approval of the regional superintendent, 2 or more adjoining districts may jointly hold an inservice training workshop. In addition, with the approval of the regional superintendent, one district may conduct its own inservice training workshop with subject matter consultants requested from the county, State or any State institution of higher learning.

Such institutes as referred to in this Section may be held on consecutive or separate days at the option of the regional superintendent having jurisdiction thereof.

Whenever reference is made in this Act to "institute", it shall be construed to include the inservice training workshops or equivalent professional educational experiences provided for in this Section.

Any institute advisory committee existing on April 1, 1995, is dissolved and the duties and responsibilities of the institute advisory committee are assumed by the regional office of education advisory board.

Districts providing inservice training programs shall constitute inservice committees, 1/2 of which shall be teachers, 1/4 school service personnel and 1/4 administrators to establish program content and schedules.

In addition to other topics not listed in this Section, the teachers institutes may include training committed to health conditions of students; social-emotional learning; developing cultural competency; identifying warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior in youth; domestic and sexual violence and the needs of expectant and parenting youth; protections and accommodations for students; educator ethics; responding to child sexual abuse and grooming behavior; and effective instruction in violence prevention and conflict resolution. Institute programs in these topics shall be credited toward hours of professional development required for license renewal as outlined in subsection (e) of Section 21B-45.

(Source: P.A. 103-542, eff. 7-1-24 (see Section 905 of P.A. 103-563 for effective date of P.A. 103-542).)

(105 ILCS 5/3-11.5)

Sec. 3-11.5. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed by P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-12)

Sec. 3-12. Institute fund.

(a) All license registration fees and a portion of renewal and duplicate fees shall be kept by the regional superintendent as described in Section 21-16 or 21B-40 of this Code, together with a record of the names of the persons paying them. Such fees shall be deposited into the institute fund and shall be used by the regional superintendent to defray expenses associated with the work of the regional professional development review committees established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of Section 21-14 of this Code to advise the regional superintendent, upon his or her request, and to hear appeals relating to the renewal of teaching licenses, in accordance with Section 21-14 of this Code; to defray expenses connected with improving the technology necessary for the efficient processing of licenses; to defray all costs associated with the administration of teaching licenses; to defray expenses incidental to teachers' institutes, workshops or meetings of a professional nature that are designed to promote the professional growth of teachers or for the purpose of defraying the expense of any general or special meeting of teachers or school personnel of the region, which has been approved by the regional superintendent.

(b) In addition to the use of moneys in the institute fund to defray expenses under subsection (a) of this Section, the State Superintendent of Education, as authorized under Section 2-3.105 of this Code, shall use moneys in the institute fund to defray all costs associated with the administration of teaching licenses within a city having a population exceeding 500,000. Moneys in the institute fund may also be used by the State Superintendent of Education to support educator recruitment and retention programs within a city having a population exceeding 500,000, to support educator preparation programs within a city having a population exceeding 500,000 as those programs seek national accreditation, and to provide professional development aligned with the requirements set forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code within a city having a population exceeding 500,000. A majority of the moneys in the institute fund must be dedicated to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for the renewal of licenses.

(c) The regional superintendent shall on or before January 1 of each year post on the regional office of education's website (1) the balance on hand in the institute fund at the beginning of the previous year; (2) all receipts within the previous year deposited in the fund, with the sources from which they were derived; (3) the amount distributed from the fund and the purposes for which such distributions were made; and (4) the balance on hand in the fund.

(Source: P.A. 103-110, eff. 6-29-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-13) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-13)

Sec. 3-13. Truant officer - Duties. Each county superintendent of schools shall appoint a county truant officer. Such appointee shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the county board, together with his necessary traveling expenses, to be paid out of the county treasury. He shall file his acceptance with the county clerk and shall take and subscribe an oath of office. He shall perform the duties of truant officer in all the school districts of the county; provided, that the school board in any school district may appoint one or more truant officers and fix his or their compensation, which shall be paid by the district.

The county superintendent of schools shall furnish the county truant officer, at the opening of the schools, with a list of the teachers and superintendents employed in his county other than in school districts that employ truant officers.

(Source: P.A. 88-50.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-13.5)

Sec. 3-13.5. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-798, eff. 10-28-09. Repealed internally, eff. 8-2-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14)

Sec. 3-14. Duties of regional superintendent. The regional superintendent of schools shall perform the duties enumerated in the following Sections preceding Section 3-15.

(Source: P.A. 93-404, eff. 8-1-03.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.1)

Sec. 3-14.1. New bond. To execute, upon notice by the county board, a new bond, conditioned and approved as the first bond.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.2)

Sec. 3-14.2. Supervision and control of school districts. Except in regions established within that portion of a Class II county school unit outside of a city of 500,000 or more inhabitants, the county superintendent of schools shall exercise supervision and control over all school districts within the county. If a district is divided by a county line or lines the county superintendent in the county where the majority of the children attend school at the time the district is organized shall exercise supervision and control over all aspects of supervision, reports, and financial accounting of the district until it has been determined by the State Superintendent of Education that 60 per cent of the children attend school in another county or that a majority of the children have attended a school in another county for three consecutive years and the school board has adopted a resolution requesting the supervision and control be transferred to the county superintendent in the county in which the majority of children attend school. The county superintendent under whose direction a school district has been established shall retain supervision and control until July 1 following the date of the election establishing the district. Whenever a change in supervision and control shall result from a change in school district boundaries, population shifts, or other cause, such change in supervision and control shall not be effective until July 1 following the date of its determination. All references to the county superintendent of schools, in relation to school districts, in this Act shall be interpreted to mean the county superintendent of schools having supervision and control of the district or districts as defined in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 96-893, eff. 7-1-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.3)

Sec. 3-14.3. Township fund lands. To sell township fund lands, issue certificates of purchase, report to the county board and the Secretary of State in the manner provided in Article 15 of this Code, and perform all other duties pertaining thereto.

(Source: P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.4)

Sec. 3-14.4. (Repealed).

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.5)

Sec. 3-14.5. (Repealed).

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.6) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.6)

Sec. 3-14.6. Directions to teacher and school officers. To give teachers and school officers such directions in the science, art and methods of teaching, and in regard to courses of study, as he deems expedient.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.7) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.7)

Sec. 3-14.7. Official adviser and assistant of school officers and teachers. To act as the official adviser and assistant of the school officers and teachers in his region. In the performance of this duty he shall carry out the advice of the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 81-1508.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.8) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.8)

Sec. 3-14.8. Teachers' institute and other meetings. To conduct a teachers' institute, to insure that instruction in the warning signs of suicidal behavior in adolescents and teens and intervention techniques are offered at such an institute, to aid and encourage the formation of other teachers' meetings, and to assist in their management.

(Source: P.A. 85-297.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.9) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.9)

Sec. 3-14.9. Elevation of standard of teaching - Improvement of schools. To labor in every practicable way to elevate the standard of teaching and improve the condition of the common schools of his county.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.11)

Sec. 3-14.11. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 87-473. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.12)

Sec. 3-14.12. Examine evidences of indebtedness. In Class II county school units with respect to townships wherein trustees of schools maintain jurisdiction and in which township funds have not heretofore been liquidated and distributed, to examine all notes, bonds, mortgages, and other evidences of indebtedness which the township or school treasurer holds officially with respect to such fund or funds, and if he or she finds that the papers are not in proper form or that the securities are insufficient, he or she shall so state, in writing, to the trustees of schools or school board.

(Source: P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.15) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.15)

Sec. 3-14.15. Returns, reports, statements. To file and keep all the returns of elections required to be returned to him and the reports and statements returned by school treasurers and trustees of schools.

(Source: P.A. 81-1490.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.16) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.16)

Sec. 3-14.16. Census. To take a special census of a school district when petitioned by 10% or 1,500 legal voters, whichever is less, to determine if such district has the proper type of school board, either of directors or a board of education, required by this Act. The expense of such census shall be a school district expense. If such census shows that the proper type of board does not exist, then such regional superintendent shall immediately notify the school district and certify to the proper election authorities that an election shall be held at the time next provided for the regular election of school district officers and in the manner provided by the general election law to select an entirely new board of the type legally required. The length of term of each of the members of the new board shall be determined in the manner provided for such type of board in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 81-1490.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.17) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.17)

Sec. 3-14.17. Notice of amount of money distributed. To notify the presidents of boards of trustees and the clerks and secretaries of school districts, on or before September 30, annually, of the amount of money distributed by him to the school treasurer, with the date of distribution.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.18) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.18)

Sec. 3-14.18. Map - Numbering of districts. To keep in his office a map of his county on a scale of not less than two inches to the mile and to indicate thereon the boundary lines and numbers of all school districts. Districts shall be numbered consecutively. If a new district composed of parts of two or more counties is formed, the county superintendents of such counties shall agree upon a number by which the district shall be designated, which number shall not be a duplicate of any number in either of such counties.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.19)

Sec. 3-14.19. (Repealed).

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.20) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.20)

Sec. 3-14.20. Building plans and specifications. To inspect the building plans and specifications, including but not limited to plans and specifications for the heating, ventilating, lighting, seating, water supply, toilets and safety against fire of public school rooms and buildings submitted to him by school boards, and to approve all those which comply substantially with the building code authorized in Section 2-3.12.

If a municipality or, in the case of an unincorporated area, a county or, if applicable, a fire protection district wishes to be notified of plans and specifications received by a regional office of education for any future construction or alteration of a public school facility located within that entity's jurisdiction, then the entity must register this wish with the regional superintendent of schools. Within 10 days after the regional superintendent of schools receives the plans and specifications from a school board and prior to the bidding process, he or she shall notify, in writing, the registered municipality and, if applicable, the registered fire protection district where the school that is being constructed or altered lies that plans and specifications have been received. In the case of an unincorporated area, the registered county shall be notified. If the municipality, fire protection district, or county requests a review of the plans and specifications, then the school board shall submit a copy of the plans and specifications. The municipality and, if applicable, the fire protection district or the county may comment in writing on the plans and specifications based on the building code authorized in Section 2-3.12, referencing the specific code where a discrepancy has been identified, and respond back to the regional superintendent of schools within 15 days after a copy of the plans and specifications have been received or, if needed for plan review, such additional time as agreed to by the regional superintendent of schools. This review must be at no cost to the school district.

If such plans and specifications are not approved or denied approval by the regional superintendent of schools within 3 months after the date on which they are submitted to him or her, the school board may submit such plans and specifications directly to the State Superintendent of Education for approval or denial.

(Source: P.A. 94-225, eff. 7-14-05.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.21) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.21)

Sec. 3-14.21. Inspection of schools.

(a) The regional superintendent shall inspect and survey all public schools under his or her supervision and notify the board of education, or the trustees of schools in a district with trustees, in writing before July 30, whether or not the several schools in their district have been kept as required by law, using forms provided by the State Board of Education which are based on the Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools adopted under Section 2-3.12. The regional superintendent shall report his or her findings to the State Board of Education on forms provided by the State Board of Education.

(b) If the regional superintendent determines that a school board has failed in a timely manner to correct urgent items identified in a previous life-safety report completed under Section 2-3.12 or as otherwise previously ordered by the regional superintendent, the regional superintendent shall order the school board to adopt and submit to the regional superintendent a plan for the immediate correction of the building violations. This plan shall be adopted following a public hearing that is conducted by the school board on the violations and the plan and that is preceded by at least 7 days' prior notice of the hearing published in a newspaper of general circulation within the school district. If the regional superintendent determines in the next annual inspection that the plan has not been completed and that the violations have not been corrected, the regional superintendent shall submit a report to the State Board of Education with a recommendation that the State Board withhold from payments of general State aid or evidence-based funding due to the district an amount necessary to correct the outstanding violations. The State Board, upon notice to the school board and to the regional superintendent, shall consider the report at a meeting of the State Board, and may order that a sufficient amount of general State aid or evidence-based funding be withheld from payments due to the district to correct the violations. This amount shall be paid to the regional superintendent who shall contract on behalf of the school board for the correction of the outstanding violations.

(c) The Office of the State Fire Marshal or a qualified fire official, as defined in Section 2-3.12 of this Code, to whom the State Fire Marshal has delegated his or her authority shall conduct an annual fire safety inspection of each school building in this State. The State Fire Marshal or the fire official shall coordinate its inspections with the regional superintendent. The inspection shall be based on the fire safety code authorized in Section 2-3.12 of this Code. Any violations shall be reported in writing to the regional superintendent and shall reference the specific code sections where a discrepancy has been identified within 15 days after the inspection has been conducted. The regional superintendent shall address those violations that are not corrected in a timely manner pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. The inspection must be at no cost to the school district.

(d) If a municipality or, in the case of an unincorporated area, a county or, if applicable, a fire protection district wishes to perform new construction inspections under the jurisdiction of a regional superintendent, then the entity must register this wish with the regional superintendent. These inspections must be based on the building code authorized in Section 2-3.12 of this Code. The inspections must be at no cost to the school district.

(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.22) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.22)

Sec. 3-14.22. Condemnation of school buildings. To request the Department of Public Health, the State Fire Marshal or the State Superintendent of Education to inspect public school buildings and temporary school facilities which appear to him to be unsafe, insanitary or unfit for occupancy. These officials shall inspect such buildings and temporary school facilities and if, in their opinion, such buildings or temporary facilities are unsafe, insanitary or unfit for occupancy, shall state in writing in what particular they are unsafe, insanitary or unfit for occupancy. Upon the receipt of such statement the regional superintendent shall condemn the building or temporary facility and notify the school board thereof in writing and the reasons for such condemnation. He shall also notify, in writing, the board of school trustees that the school or temporary facility so condemned is not kept as required by law.

The provisions of this Section shall not preclude inspection of school premises and buildings pursuant to Section 9 of the Fire Investigation Act, although not requested as hereinabove provided.

(Source: P.A. 87-984.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.23) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.23)

Sec. 3-14.23. School bus driver permits.

(a) To conduct courses of instruction for school bus drivers pursuant to the standards established by the Secretary of State under Section 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and to charge a fee based upon the cost of providing such courses of up to $6 per person for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012; up to $8 per person for fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015; and up to $10 per person for fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter for the initial classroom course in school bus driver safety and of up to $6 per person for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012; up to $8 per person for fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015; and up to $10 per person for fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter for the annual refresher course.

(b) To conduct such investigations as may be necessary to insure that all persons hired to operate school buses have valid school bus driver permits as required under Sections 6-104 and 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. If a regional superintendent finds evidence of non-compliance with this requirement, he shall submit such evidence together with his recommendations in writing to the school board.

If the regional superintendent finds evidence of noncompliance with the requirement that all persons employed directly by the school board to operate school buses have valid school bus driver permits as required under Sections 6-104 and 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the regional superintendent shall schedule a hearing on a date not less than 5 days nor more than 10 days after notifying the district of his findings. If based on the evidence presented at the hearing the regional superintendent finds that persons employed directly by the school board to operate school buses do not have valid school bus driver permits as required under Sections 6-104 and 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the regional superintendent shall submit such evidence and his findings together with his recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education. The State Superintendent of Education may reduce the district's claim for reimbursement under Sections 29-5 and 14-13.01 for transportation by 1.136% for each day of noncompliance.

If a school board finds evidence of noncompliance with the requirement that all persons employed by a contractor to operate school buses have valid school bus driver permits as required under Sections 6-104 and 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the school board shall request a hearing before the regional superintendent. The regional superintendent shall schedule a hearing on a date not less than 5 days nor more than 10 days after receiving the request. If based on the evidence presented at the hearing the regional superintendent finds that persons employed by a contractor to operate school buses do not have valid school bus driver permits as required under Sections 6-104 and 6-106.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the school board's financial obligations under the contract shall be reduced by an amount equal to 1.136% for each day of noncompliance. The findings of the regional superintendent and the relief provided herein shall not impair the obligations of the contractor to continue to provide transportation services in accordance with the terms of the contract.

The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof and the rules adopted pursuant thereto shall apply to and govern all proceedings instituted for judicial review of final administrative decisions of the regional superintendent under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.25) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.25)

Sec. 3-14.25. Unfilled teaching positions list; subject shortage area certifications.

(a) To maintain, and make available to the public during regular business hours, a list of unfilled teaching positions within the region. The most current version of the list must be posted on or linked to the regional office of education's Internet web site. If the regional office of education does not have an Internet web site, the regional superintendent of schools must make the list available to the State Board of Education and the State Board of Education must post the list on the State Board of Education's Internet web site. The State Board of Education's Internet web site must provide a link to each regional office of education's list.

(b) To certify to the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois that a school district has submitted satisfactory evidence of compliance with the requirements of subsection (e) of Section 16-150.1 of the Illinois Pension Code, for the purpose of authorizing the employment of retired teachers in subject shortage areas under the program established in that Section.

(Source: P.A. 92-41, eff. 7-1-01; 93-320, eff. 7-23-03.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.26) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-14.26)

Sec. 3-14.26. To coordinate, aid and encourage the indemnification of members of regional boards of school trustees by county boards, as provided in Section 5-1102 of the Counties Code.

(Source: P.A. 86-1475.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.27)

Sec. 3-14.27. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-721. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.28)

Sec. 3-14.28. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 87-559. Repealed by P.A. 98-1155, eff. 1-9-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.29)

Sec. 3-14.29. Sharing information on school lunch applicants. Whenever requested by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid), to agree in writing with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (as the State agency that administers the State Medical Assistance Program as provided in Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act and the State Children's Health Insurance Program as provided in Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act) to share with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information on applicants for free or reduced-price lunches. This sharing of information shall be for the sole purpose of helping the Department of Healthcare and Family Services identify and enroll children in the State Medical Assistance Program or the State Children's Health Insurance Program or both as allowed under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758(b)(2)(C)(iii)(IV) and under the restrictions set forth in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758(b)(2)(C)(vi) and (vii).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.30)

Sec. 3-14.30. Grant applications. To assist and support school districts with the preparation and submission of grant applications.

(Source: P.A. 93-1036, eff. 9-14-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-14.31)

Sec. 3-14.31. School facility and resources occupation tax proceeds.

(a) Within 30 days after receiving any proceeds of a school facility and resources occupation tax under Section 5-1006.7 of the Counties Code, each regional superintendent must disburse those proceeds to each school district that is located in the county in which the tax was collected.

(b) The proceeds must be disbursed on an enrollment basis and allocated based upon the number of each school district's resident pupils that reside within the county collecting the tax divided by the total number of resident students within the county.

(Source: P.A. 101-455, eff. 8-23-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15)

Sec. 3-15. Powers of county superintendent. The county superintendent shall have the powers enumerated in the subsequent sections of this article.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.1)

Sec. 3-15.1. Reports. To require the appointed school treasurer in Class II counties, in each school district which forms a part of a Class II county school unit but which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of any township in which such district is located, and in each school district of the Class I counties to prepare and forward to his office on or before October 15, annually, and at such other times as may be required by him or by the State Board of Education a statement exhibiting the financial condition of the school for the preceding year commencing on July 1 and ending June 30.

In Class I county school units, and in each school district which forms a part of a Class II county school unit but which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of any township in which such school district is located, the statement shall in the case of districts on the accrual basis show the assets, liabilities and fund balance of the funds as of the end of the fiscal year. The statement shall show the operation of the funds for the fiscal year with a reconciliation and analysis of changes in the funds at the end of the period. For districts on a cash basis the statement shall show the receipts and disbursements by funds including the source of receipts and purpose for which the disbursements were made together with the balance at the end of the fiscal year. Each school district that is the administrator of a joint agreement shall cause an Annual Financial Statement to be submitted on forms prescribed by the State Board of Education exhibiting the financial condition of the program established pursuant to the joint agreement, for the fiscal year ending on the immediately preceding June 30.

The regional superintendent shall send all required reports to the State Board of Education on or before November 15, annually.

For all districts the statements shall show bonded debt, tax warrants, taxes received and receivable by funds and such other information as may be required by the State Board of Education. Any district from which such report is not so received when required shall have its portion of the distributive fund withheld for the next ensuing year until such report is filed.

If a district is divided by a county line or lines the foregoing required statement shall be forwarded to the regional superintendent of schools having supervision and control of the district.

(Source: P.A. 86-1441; 87-473.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.2)

Sec. 3-15.2. Recommending imposition or remission of penalty. To recommend to the State Board of Education the imposition or remission of the penalty provided in Section 2-3.24.

(Source: P.A. 88-641, eff. 9-9-94.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.3)

Sec. 3-15.3. School treasurer's accounts. To direct in what manner school treasurers shall keep their books and accounts.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.4) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.4)

Sec. 3-15.4. Suit against county collector. To bring suit against the county collector for failure to pay the amount due upon the auditor's warrant.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.5) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.5)

Sec. 3-15.5. Removal of school board members. To remove any member of a school board from office for wilful failure to perform his official duties.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.6) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.6)

Sec. 3-15.6. Additional employees. To employ, with the approval of the county board, such additional employees as are needed for the discharge of the duties of the office. The non-clerical employees shall be persons versed in the principles and methods of education, familiar with public school work, competent to visit schools, and licensed pursuant to this Code if their duties are comparable to those for which licensure is required by this Code.

On and after July 1, 1994, the provisions of this Section shall have no application in any educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.7) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.7)

Sec. 3-15.7. Maps and records of new districts. To demand of the trustees of schools or regional board of school trustees having custody of maps and records of school districts as organized certified copies of the same. In case of discrepancies or defects in defining the boundaries of school districts the county superintendent, or in case of a district lying in two or more counties, the county superintendents of such counties acting jointly, may define such boundaries in conformity with what appears to have been the intention of the trustees of schools when such boundaries were established.

(Source: P.A. 87-473.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.8) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.8)

Sec. 3-15.8. Report to State Board of Education. On or before November 15, annually, to present to the State Board of Education such information relating to schools in his region as the State Board of Education may require.

(Source: P.A. 82-143.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.9) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.9)

Sec. 3-15.9. Delivery of money, books, papers and property to successor. Upon his removal or resignation, or at the expiration of his term of office, or in case of his death his representatives to deliver to his successor in office, on demand, all moneys, books, papers and personal property belonging to his office or subject to his control or disposition.

On and after July 1, 1994, the provisions of this Section shall have no application in any educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants.

(Source: P.A. 87-654; 87-1251.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.10) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.10)

Sec. 3-15.10. Assistant Regional Superintendent. To employ, in counties or regions of 2,000,000 inhabitants or less, in addition to any assistants authorized to be employed with the approval of the county board, an assistant regional superintendent of schools, who shall be a person of good attainment, versed in the principles and methods of education, and qualified to teach and supervise schools under Article 21B of this Code; to fix the term of such assistant; and to direct his work and define his duties. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, in regions established within that portion of a Class II county school unit outside of a city of 500,000 or more inhabitants, the employment of all persons serving as assistant county or regional superintendents of schools is terminated, the position of assistant regional superintendent of schools in each such region is abolished, and this Section shall, beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, have no further application in the educational service region. Assistant regional superintendents shall each be a person of good attainment, versed in the principles and methods of education, and qualified to teach and supervise schools under Article 21B of this Code. The work of such assistant regional superintendent shall be so arranged and directed that the county or regional superintendent and assistant superintendent, together, shall devote an amount of time during the school year, equal to at least the full time of one individual, to the supervision of schools and of teaching in the schools of the county.

A regional superintendent of schools shall not employ his or her spouse, child, stepchild, or relative as an assistant regional superintendent of schools. By September 1 each year, a regional superintendent shall certify to the State Board of Education that he or she has complied with this paragraph. If the State Board of Education becomes aware of the fact that a regional superintendent is employing his or her spouse, child, stepchild, or relative as an assistant regional superintendent, the State Board of Education shall report this information to the Governor and the Comptroller, and the State Board of Education shall not request for payment from the State Comptroller any warrants for the payment of the assistant regional superintendent's salary or other employment-related compensation or benefits. In this paragraph, "relative" means a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, first cousin, nephew, niece, grandchild, or spouse of one of these persons. This paragraph applies only to contracts for employment entered into on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.11)

Sec. 3-15.11. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.12)

Sec. 3-15.12. High school equivalency. The regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board shall make available for qualified individuals residing within the region a High School Equivalency Testing Program and alternative methods of credentialing, as identified under this Section. For that purpose the regional superintendent alone or with other regional superintendents may establish and supervise a testing center or centers to administer the secure forms for high school equivalency testing to qualified persons. Such centers shall be under the supervision of the regional superintendent in whose region such centers are located, subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board. The Illinois Community College Board shall also establish criteria and make available alternative methods of credentialing throughout the State.

An individual is eligible to apply to the regional superintendent of schools for the region in which he or she resides if he or she is: (a) a person who is 17 years of age or older, has maintained residence in the State of Illinois, and is not a high school graduate; (b) a person who is successfully completing an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B; or (c) a person who is enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard. For purposes of this Section, residence is that abode which the applicant considers his or her home. Applicants may provide as sufficient proof of such residence and as an acceptable form of identification a driver's license, valid passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued national or foreign identification that shows the applicant's name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph or other acceptable identification as may be allowed by law or as regulated by the Illinois Community College Board. Such regional superintendent shall determine if the applicant meets statutory and regulatory state standards.

If qualified the applicant shall at the time of such application pay a fee established by the Illinois Community College Board, which fee shall be paid into a special fund under the control and supervision of the regional superintendent. Such moneys received by the regional superintendent shall be used, first, for the expenses incurred in administering and scoring the examination, and next for other educational programs that are developed and designed by the regional superintendent of schools to assist those who successfully complete high school equivalency testing or meet the criteria for alternative methods of credentialing in furthering their academic development or their ability to secure and retain gainful employment, including programs for the competitive award based on test scores of college or adult education scholarship grants or similar educational incentives. Any excess moneys shall be paid into the institute fund.

Any applicant who has achieved the minimum passing standards as established by the Illinois Community College Board shall be notified in writing by the regional superintendent and shall be issued a State of Illinois High School Diploma on the forms provided by the Illinois Community College Board. The regional superintendent shall then certify to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and such other and additional information that may be required by the Illinois Community College Board. The moneys received therefrom shall be used in the same manner as provided for in this Section.

The Illinois Community College Board shall establish alternative methods of credentialing for the issuance of a State of Illinois High School Diploma. In addition to high school equivalency testing, the following alternative methods of receiving a State of Illinois High School Diploma shall be made available to qualified individuals on or after January 1, 2018:

(A) High School Equivalency based on High School Credit. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her high school transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria as established by the Illinois Community College Board.

(B) High School Equivalency based on Post-Secondary Credit. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her post-secondary transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria established by the Illinois Community College Board.

(C) High School Equivalency based on a Foreign Diploma. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her foreign high school or post-secondary transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria established by the Illinois Community College Board.

(D) High School Equivalency based on Completion of a Competency-Based Program as approved by the Illinois Community College Board. The Illinois Community College Board shall establish guidelines for competency-based high school equivalency programs.

Any applicant who has attained the age of 17 years and maintained residence in the State of Illinois and is not a high school graduate, any person who has enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, or any person who has successfully completed an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B is eligible to apply for a State of Illinois High School Diploma (if he or she meets the requirements prescribed by the Illinois Community College Board) upon showing evidence that he or she has completed, successfully, high school equivalency testing, administered by the United States Armed Forces Institute, official high school equivalency testing centers established in other states, Veterans' Administration Hospitals, or the office of the State Superintendent of Education for the Illinois State Penitentiary System and the Department of Corrections. Such applicant shall apply to the regional superintendent of the region wherein he or she has maintained residence, and, upon payment of a fee established by the Illinois Community College Board, the regional superintendent shall issue a State of Illinois High School Diploma and immediately thereafter certify to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and such other and additional information as may be required by the Illinois Community College Board.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, any applicant who has been out of school for at least one year may request the regional superintendent of schools to administer restricted high school equivalency testing upon written request of: the director of a program who certifies to the Chief Examiner of an official high school equivalency testing center that the applicant has completed a program of instruction provided by such agencies as the Job Corps, the Postal Service Academy, or an apprenticeship training program; an employer or program director for purposes of entry into apprenticeship programs; another state's department of education in order to meet regulations established by that department of education; or a post high school educational institution for purposes of admission, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for licensing purposes, or the Armed Forces for induction purposes. The regional superintendent shall administer such testing, and the applicant shall be notified in writing that he or she is eligible to receive a State of Illinois High School Diploma upon reaching age 17, provided he or she meets the standards established by the Illinois Community College Board.

Any test administered under this Section to an applicant who does not speak and understand English may at the discretion of the administering agency be given and answered in any language in which the test is printed. The regional superintendent of schools may waive any fees required by this Section in case of hardship. The regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board shall waive any fees required by this Section for an applicant who meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The applicant qualifies as a homeless person, child, or youth as defined in the Education for Homeless Children Act.

(2) The applicant has not attained 25 years of age as of the date of the scheduled test.

(3) The applicant can verify his or her status as a homeless person, child, or youth. A homeless services provider that is qualified to verify an individual's housing status, as determined by the Illinois Community College Board, and that has knowledge of the applicant's housing status may verify the applicant's status for purposes of this subdivision (3).

(4) The applicant has completed a high school equivalency preparation course through an Illinois Community College Board-approved provider.

(5) The applicant is taking the test at a testing center operated by a regional superintendent of schools or the Cook County High School Equivalency Office.

In counties of over 3,000,000 population, a State of Illinois High School Diploma shall contain the signatures of the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board and the superintendent, president, or other chief executive officer of the institution where high school equivalency testing instruction occurred and any other signatures authorized by the Illinois Community College Board.

The regional superintendent of schools shall furnish the Illinois Community College Board with any information that the Illinois Community College Board requests with regard to testing and diplomas under this Section.

A State of Illinois High School Diploma is a recognized high school equivalency certificate for purposes of reciprocity with other states. A high school equivalency certificate from another state is equivalent to a State of Illinois High School Diploma.

(Source: P.A. 102-1100, eff. 1-1-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.12a)

Sec. 3-15.12a. Alternate route to high school diploma for adult learners.

(a) The purpose of Public Act 100-514 is to provide eligible applicants that have been or are unable to establish agreements with a secondary or unit school district in the area in which the applicant is located with a process for attaining the authority to award high school diplomas to adult learners.

(a-5) In this Section:

"Adult learner" means a person ineligible for reenrollment under subsection (b) of Section 26-2 of this Code and 34 CFR 300.102.

"Board" means the Illinois Community College Board.

"Eligible applicant" means a community college established and operating under the authority of the Public Community College Act; a non-profit entity in partnership with a regional superintendent of schools; the chief administrator of an intermediate service center that has the authority, under rules adopted by the State Board of Education, to issue a high school diploma; or a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code. In order to be an eligible applicant, an entity under this definition, other than a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code, must provide evidence or other documentation that it is or has been unable to establish an agreement with a secondary or unit school district in which the eligible applicant is located to provide a program in which students who successfully complete the program can receive a high school diploma from their school district of residence.

"Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board.

"High school diploma program for adult learners" means a program approved to operate under this Section that provides a program of alternative study to adult learners leading to the issuance of a high school diploma.

(b) An eligible applicant is authorized to design a high school diploma program for adult learners, to be approved by the Board prior to implementation. A non-profit eligible applicant shall operate this program only within the jurisdictional authority of the regional superintendent of schools, the chief administrator of an intermediate service center, or a school district organized Article 34 of this Code with whom the non-profit eligible applicant has entered into a partnership. An approved program shall include, without limitation, all of the following:

(1) An administrative structure, program activities, program staff, a budget, and a specific curriculum that is consistent with Illinois Learning Standards, as well as Illinois content standards for adults, but may be different from a regular school program in terms of location, length of school day, program sequence, multidisciplinary courses, pace, instructional activities, or any combination of these.

(2) Issuance of a high school diploma only if an adult learner meets all minimum requirements under this Code and its implementing rules for receipt of a high school diploma.

(3) Specific academic, behavioral, and emotional support services to be offered to adult learners enrolled in the program.

(4) Career and technical education courses that lead to industry certifications in high growth and in-demand industry sectors or dual credit courses from a regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution consistent with the Dual Credit Quality Act. The program may include partnering with a community college district to provide career and technical education courses that lead to industry certifications.

(5) Specific program outcomes and goals and metrics to be used by the program to determine success.

(6) The requirement that all instructional staff must hold an educator license valid for the high school grades issued under Article 21B of this Code.

(7) Any other requirements adopted by rule by the Board.

(c) Eligible applicants shall apply for approval of a high school diploma program for adult learners to the Board on forms prescribed by the Board.

(1) Initial approval shall be for a period not to exceed 2 school years.

(2) Renewal of approval shall be for a period not to exceed 4 school years and shall be contingent upon at least specific documented outcomes of student progression, graduation rates, and earning of industry-recognized credentials.

(3) Program approval may be given only if the Executive Director determines that the eligible applicant has provided assurance through evidence of other documentation that it will meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section and any rules adopted by the Board. The Board shall make public any evaluation criteria it uses in making a determination of program approval or denial.

(4) Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary, a non-profit eligible applicant shall provide the following to the Board:

(A) documentation that the non-profit entity will fulfill the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section;

(B) evidence that the non-profit entity has the capacity to fulfill the requirements of this Section;

(C) a description of the coordination and oversight that the eligible entity will provide in the administration of the program by the non-profit entity;

(D) evidence that the non-profit entity has a history of providing services to adults 18 years of age or older whose educational and training opportunities have been limited by educational disadvantages, disabilities, and challenges.

(5) If an eligible applicant that has been approved fails to meet any of the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section and any rules adopted by the Board, the Executive Director shall immediately initiate a process to revoke the eligible applicant's approval to provide the program, pursuant to rules adopted by the Board.

(d) The Board may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-514, eff. 9-22-17; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.14) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.14)

Sec. 3-15.14. Cooperative Educational and Operational Programs. To administer and direct a cooperative or joint educational or operational program or project when 2 or more districts request and authorize him or her to provide and administer these services. Each regional superintendent of schools is encouraged to offer school districts the opportunity to share in joint educational or operational programs and to urge school districts to participate in such programs when the school district determines that such participation is fiscally prudent. The regional superintendent of schools may provide and contract for the staff, space, necessary materials, supplies, books and apparatus for such agreements. The school boards of the respective districts shall pay to the regional superintendent the pro rata share of the expenses of the operation of such programs, and the regional superintendent shall use such funds in payment of such operational expenses. The regional superintendent shall collect and remit the required pension contributions from the participating districts if the board of control of the program participates in Article 7 of the Illinois Pension Code.

A board of control composed of one member from each cooperating district and one member from the office of the regional superintendent will set policy for the cooperative. The agreement establishing the cooperative may provide that the cooperative shall act as its own administrative district and shall be an entity separate and apart from the Educational Service Region.

Each regional superintendent that is the administrator of a joint agreement shall cause an annual financial statement to be submitted on forms prescribed by the State Board of Education exhibiting the financial condition of the program established pursuant to the joint agreement for the fiscal year ending on the immediately preceding June 30.

The regional superintendent may also administer, direct and account for educational programs of single or multi-county educational service region, or of multi-regional design which are sponsored and financed by State or federal educational agencies, or by both such agencies. In cases where funding for any such approved program is delayed, the regional superintendent may borrow the funds required to begin operation of the program in accordance with the terms of the grant; and the principal amount so borrowed, together with the interest due thereon, shall be paid from the grant moneys when received.

(Source: P.A. 97-357, eff. 1-1-12.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.14a)

Sec. 3-15.14a. Shared services. The regional superintendent of schools may, at the request of a school district, present to the school district possible services and functions that multiple schools may share or consolidate. Such services and functions may include, but are not limited to, bidding and purchasing, office functions such as payroll and accounting, information technology, professional development, grant writing, food service management, or administrative positions. Regional superintendents of schools may share best financial practices with school districts that are exploring new methods to become more financially efficient.

(Source: P.A. 97-357, eff. 1-1-12.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.15) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.15)

Sec. 3-15.15. Local education agency. To apply as a local education agency for any grant, loan, program authorization or other assistance provided to local education agencies by the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 87-1124; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.16)

Sec. 3-15.16. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 88-670, eff. 12-2-94. Repealed by P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.17)

Sec. 3-15.17. Civic education advancement.

(a) The General Assembly finds that civic education and participation are fundamental elements of a healthy democracy, and schools are in need of support to identify civic learning opportunities and to implement new strategies to prepare and sustain high quality citizenship among their student body.

(b) Subject to appropriation, funding for civic education professional development for high school teachers must be provided by line item appropriation made to the State Board of Education for that purpose. When appropriated, the State Board of Education must provide this funding to each regional superintendent of schools based on high school enrollment as reported on the State Board of Education's most recent fall enrollment and housing report, except that 20% of each annual appropriation must be reserved for a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code.

(c) In order to establish eligibility for one or more of its schools to receive funding under this Section, a school district shall submit to its regional superintendent of schools an application, accompanied by a completed civic audit, for each school. A regional superintendent shall award funds to a district based on the number of teachers identified by the district to receive professional development multiplied by $250. A district must not be awarded more than $3,000 in any year, unless additional funds remain available after all eligible applicants have received funding. A district may not use funds authorized under this Section in any school more than once every 2 years. Funds provided under this Section must be used exclusively for professional development provided by entities that are approved providers for purposes of license renewal under Section 21B-45 of this Code.

(d) The civic audit form and its content must be designed and updated as deemed necessary by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition. Data from completed civic audits must be processed by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition. The civic audit must be made available by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition and must be designed to provide teachers and principals with a blueprint to better understand how current curriculum, service learning, and extracurricular activities are providing civic learning experiences for their students.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)