105 ILCS 5/ School Code.

(105 ILCS 5/34-50) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-50)

Sec. 34-50. Transfers between appropriations - Delay. The board may, at any time by a two-thirds vote of all the members authorize the making of transfers within any fund under its jurisdiction, of sums of money appropriated for one object or purpose to another object or purpose, which action shall be entered in its proceedings; provided that during the first half of each fiscal year such transfers shall not exceed 10% of any such fund, but no appropriation for any purpose shall be reduced below an amount sufficient to cover all obligations incurred or to be incurred against the appropriation for such purpose.

(Source: P.A. 81-1221.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-51) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-51)

Sec. 34-51. Appropriation not to be construed as approval of board of liabilities.

The appropriation resolution or budget, including the amounts for the payment of contract liabilities or to defray the expense of any project or purpose, shall not be construed as an approval by the board of any such liabilities or of any project or purpose mentioned, but shall be regarded only as the provisions for a fund or funds for the payment thereof when such liabilities have been found to be valid and legal obligations against the board, and when properly vouchered, audited and approved by the board, or when any project or purpose is approved and authorized by the board, as the case may be.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-52) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-52)

Sec. 34-52. Wilful violation of budget provisions. Any member of the board, or any officer thereof or of the city or any other person holding any trust or employment under the board or city who wilfully violates any of the provisions of Sections 34-43 through 34-51 shall be guilty of a business offense and may be fined not exceeding $10,000, and shall forfeit his right to his office, trust or employment and shall be removed therefrom. Any such member, officer or person shall be liable for the amount of any loss or damage suffered by the board resulting from any act of his in violation of the terms of any of those sections, to be recovered by the board or by any taxpayer in the name and for the benefit of the board, in an appropriate civil action. Any taxpayer bringing any such action must file a bond for all costs, and shall be liable for all costs taxed against the board in such suit, and judgment shall be rendered accordingly. This Section does not bar any other remedies.

(Source: P.A. 79-1366.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-52.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-52.1)

Sec. 34-52.1. Form of ballot and notice. Whenever any proposition to authorize or to levy an annual tax, or to increase the annual rate of tax levied by any school district, for any school purpose is submitted to the voters of such district at any election, each required notice or other publication of the election or referendum and the form of ballot shall contain, in addition to any other matters required by law:

(a) the geographic or other common name of the school district by which that district is commonly known and referred to, as well as the number of the district;

(b) the maximum rate at which such tax may be levied if the proposition is approved; and

(c) if the proposition is to increase the annual rate of an existing tax levied by the school district, then in addition to the matters set forth in (a) and (b) above, the annual rate at which such existing tax currently is levied and the percentage of increase between the maximum rate at which such tax may be levied if the proposition is approved and the annual rate at which such tax currently is levied.

(Source: P.A. 85-374.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-53) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-53)

Sec. 34-53. Tax levies; purpose; rates. For the purpose of establishing and supporting free schools for not fewer than 9 months in each year and defraying their expenses the board may levy annually, upon all taxable property of such district for educational purposes a tax for the fiscal years 1996 and each succeeding fiscal year at a rate of not to exceed the sum of (i) 3.07% (or such other rate as may be set by law independent of the rate difference described in (ii) below) and (ii) the difference between .50% and the rate per cent of taxes extended for a School Finance Authority organized under Article 34A of the School Code, for the calendar year in which the applicable fiscal year of the board begins as determined by the county clerk and certified to the board pursuant to Section 18-110 of the Property Tax Code, of the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue for the year in which such levy is made.

Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, for the purpose of making an employer contribution to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago, the board may levy annually for taxable years prior to 2017, upon all taxable property located within the district, a tax at a rate not to exceed 0.383%. Beginning with the 2017 taxable year, for the purpose of making an employer contribution to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago, the board may levy annually, upon all taxable property within the district, a tax at a rate not to exceed 0.567%. The proceeds from this additional tax shall be paid, as soon as possible after collection, directly to Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago and not to the Board of Education. The rate under this paragraph is not a new rate for the purposes of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the 2016 tax year only, the board shall certify the rate to the county clerk on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, and the county clerk shall extend that rate against all taxable property located within the district as soon after receiving the certification as possible.

Nothing in this amendatory Act of 1995 shall in any way impair or restrict the levy or extension of taxes pursuant to any tax levies for any purposes of the board lawfully made prior to the adoption of this amendatory Act of 1995.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code and in addition to any other methods provided for increasing the tax rate the board may, by proper resolution, cause a proposition to increase the annual tax rate for educational purposes to be submitted to the voters of such district at any general or special election. The maximum rate for educational purposes shall not exceed 4.00%. The election called for such purpose shall be governed by Article 9 of this Act. If at such election a majority of the votes cast on the proposition is in favor thereof, the Board of Education may thereafter until such authority is revoked in a like manner, levy annually the tax so authorized.

For purposes of this Article, educational purposes for fiscal years beginning in 1995 and each subsequent year shall also include, but not be limited to, in addition to those purposes authorized before this amendatory Act of 1995, constructing, acquiring, leasing (other than from the Public Building Commission of Chicago), operating, maintaining, improving, repairing, and renovating land, buildings, furnishings, and equipment for school houses and buildings, and related incidental expenses, and provision of special education, furnishing free textbooks and instructional aids and school supplies, establishing, equipping, maintaining, and operating supervised playgrounds under the control of the board, school extracurricular activities, and stadia, social center, and summer swimming pool programs open to the public in connection with any public school; making an employer contribution to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund as required by Section 17-129 of the Illinois Pension Code; and providing an agricultural science school, including site development and improvements, maintenance repairs, and supplies. Educational purposes also includes student transportation expenses.

All collections of all taxes levied for fiscal years ending before 1996 under this Section or under Sections 34-53.2, 34-53.3, 34-58, 34-60, or 34-62 of this Article as in effect prior to this amendatory Act of 1995 may be used for any educational purposes as defined by this amendatory Act of 1995 and need not be used for the particular purposes for which they were levied. The levy and extension of taxes pursuant to this Section as amended by this amendatory Act of 1995 shall not constitute a new or increased tax rate within the meaning of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law or the One-year Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

The rate at which taxes may be levied for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 1996, for educational purposes shall be the full rate authorized by this Section for such taxes for fiscal years ending after 1995.

(Source: P.A. 99-521, eff. 6-1-17; 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-53.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-53.1)

Sec. 34-53.1. Supplemental tax levy. When a supplemental budget has been adopted by the board of education under Section 34-44.1 the board of education may levy supplemental taxes which shall not exceed the amount of the increase in revenues projected in the supplemental budget nor exceed the maximum rates of taxes which the board is authorized by law to levy for the fiscal year to which the increase applies for the respective purposes. With respect to any supplemental levy based on an increase in the value of taxable property in the school district, such supplemental levy shall be adopted within 60 days of the date of the final certification of the equalization rate by the Department of Revenue to the county clerk as provided in the Property Tax Code, irrespective of whether the adoption occurs within or after the close of the fiscal year to which the increase applies. The board is authorized to levy supplemental taxes pursuant to this Section.

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

(105 ILCS 5/34-53.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-53.2)

Sec. 34-53.2. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-53.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-53.3)

Sec. 34-53.3. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-53.5)

Sec. 34-53.5. Capital improvement tax levy; purpose; maximum amount.

(a) For the purpose of providing a reliable source of revenue for capital improvement purposes, including without limitation (i) the construction and equipping of a new school building or buildings or an addition or additions to an existing school building or buildings, (ii) the purchase of school grounds on which any new school building or an addition to an existing school building is to be constructed or located, (iii) both items (i) and (ii) of this subsection (a), or (iv) the rehabilitation, renovation, and equipping of an existing school building or buildings, the board may levy, upon all taxable property of the school district, in calendar year 2003, a capital improvement tax to produce, when extended, an amount not to exceed the product attained by multiplying (1) the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the 12 months ending 2 months prior to the month in which the levy is adopted by (2) $142,500,000. For example, if the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index is 2.5%, then the computation would be $142,500,000 x 0.025 = $3,562,500.

(b) In each calendar year from 2004 through 2030, the board may levy a capital improvement tax to produce, when extended, an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the maximum amount that could have been levied by the board in the preceding calendar year pursuant to this Section and (2) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the sum of (i) the maximum amount that could have been levied by the board in the preceding calendar year pursuant to this Section and (ii) $142,500,000 by (B) the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the 12 months ending 2 months prior to the month in which the levy is adopted.

(c) In calendar year 2031, the board may levy a capital improvement tax to produce, when extended, an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the maximum amount that could have been levied by the board in calendar year 2030 pursuant to this Section, (2) $142,500,000, and (3) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the sum of (i) the maximum amount that could have been levied by the board in calendar year 2030 pursuant to this Section and (ii) $142,500,000 by (B) the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the 12 months ending 2 months prior to the month in which the levy is adopted.

(d) In calendar year 2032 and each calendar year thereafter, the board may levy a capital improvement tax to produce, when extended, an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the maximum amount that could have been levied by the board in the preceding calendar year pursuant to this Section and (2) the product obtained by multiplying (A) the maximum amount that could have been levied by the board in the preceding calendar year pursuant to this Section by (B) the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the 12 months ending 2 months prior to the month in which the levy is adopted.

(e) An initial tax levy made by the board under this Section must have the approval of the Chicago City Council, by resolution, before the levy may be extended. The board shall communicate its adoption of the initial tax levy by delivering a certified copy of the levy resolution to the Clerk of the City of Chicago. The Chicago City Council shall have 60 days after receipt, by the Clerk of the City of Chicago, of the certified resolution to approve or disapprove the levy. The failure of the Chicago City Council to take action to approve or disapprove the initial tax levy within the 60-day period shall be deemed disapproval of the initial tax levy. Upon the adoption of each subsequent levy by the board under this Section, the board must notify the Chicago City Council that the board has adopted the levy.

(f) The board may issue bonds, in accordance with the Local Government Debt Reform Act, including Section 15 of that Act, against any revenues to be collected from the capital improvement tax in any year or years and may pledge, pursuant to Section 13 of the Local Government Debt Reform Act, those revenues as security for the payment of any such bonds.

(Source: P.A. 92-547, eff. 6-13-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-53A)

Sec. 34-53A. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95. Repealed by P.A. 89-698, eff. 1-14-97.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-54)

Sec. 34-54. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1477. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-54.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-54.1)

Sec. 34-54.1. Tax levies and extensions. The annual tax rates and the several tax levies authorized to be made shall be: (i) for each fiscal year through and including the 1995-96 fiscal year, for a fiscal year commencing September 1 and ending August 31; (ii) for the 1996-97 fiscal year, for a fiscal year commencing September 1 and ending June 30; and (iii) for each subsequent fiscal year, for a fiscal year commencing July 1 and ending June 30.

Notwithstanding any provision in this Article 34 to the contrary, by the last Tuesday in December of each calendar year, the board of education may levy upon all the taxable property of the district or city, the annual taxes required to provide the necessary revenue to defray expenditures, charges and liabilities incurred by the board for the fiscal year beginning in that calendar year. The levy may be based upon the estimated equalized assessed valuation provided the county clerk shall extend for collection only so much thereof as is permitted by law. The total amount of the levy shall be certified to the county clerk who shall extend for collection only so much thereof as is required to provide the necessary revenue to defray expenditures, charges and liabilities incurred by the board as certified by the controller of the board to the county clerk upon the value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue for the calendar year in which the levy was made. The county clerk shall thereafter in the succeeding calendar year extend such remaining amount of the levy as is certified by the controller of the board to the county clerk upon the value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue for such calendar year. In each year the county clerk shall extend taxes at a rate sufficient to produce the full amount of the 2 partial levies attributable to that tax year. Provided, however, and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary: (a) the extension of taxes levied for fiscal years ending before 1996 for building purposes and school supervised playground outside school hours and stadia, social center and summer swimming pool purposes which the county clerk shall make against the value of all taxable property of the district or city, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, shall be at the respective maximum rates at which the board was authorized to levy taxes for such purposes for the fiscal year which ends in 1995; and (b) notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, in each calendar year the taxes for educational purposes shall be extended at a rate certified by the controller as referred to in this Section, which rate shall not be in excess of the maximum rate for the levy of taxes for educational purposes, occurring in the fiscal year which begins in the calendar year of the extension, (whether or not actually levied at that rate) except for calendar year 1995 in which the rate shall not be in excess of the maximum rate which would be provided for the levy of taxes for educational purposes for the fiscal year which begins in 1995 without regard to this amendatory Act of 1995. In calendar year 1995, the county clerk shall extend any special education purposes tax which was levied as provided in Section 34-53.2 in full in the calendar year following the year in which the levy of such a tax was made.

(Source: P.A. 88-511; 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-54.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-54.2)

Sec. 34-54.2. Taxes levied in 1989 and 1990.

(a) All real property taxes levied by the board in 1989 and 1990 are confirmed and validated, and are declared to be and are valid, in all respects as if they had been timely and properly levied by the city council upon the demand and direction of the Board. It shall not be a valid ground for any person in any way to object to, protest, bring any proceeding with regard to or defend against the collection of any such taxes, that the taxes were levied by the board.

(b) The board may levy taxes against all taxable property located within the city in an amount equal to all taxes purported to be levied by the board in 1989 and in 1990, for each purpose for which taxes were purported so to be levied, to the extent those taxes shall not yet have been extended for collection at the time of the levy authorized by this paragraph (b). The taxes authorized to be levied by this paragraph (b) shall be levied by a resolution of the board selected pursuant to Public Act 86-1477. The resolution shall be adopted upon concurrence of a majority of the members of the board. The taxes levied pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be extended for collection in 1991 and subsequent years and in amounts so that they do not exceed the maximum rates at which taxes may be extended for the various school purposes, all as shall be set forth in a certificate of the controller of the board as provided in Section 34-54.1 of this Code. Taxes levied pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be in addition to all other taxes which have been or may be levied by or for the board, except that the extension of taxes levied pursuant to this paragraph (b), to the extent valid and legal in all respects, shall be an abatement of the same amount of taxes previously purported to be levied by the board which were to have been extended in the same year for the same purpose, it being the intention of the General Assembly that there not be extended duplicate taxes for the same year and purpose. It shall not be necessary that the board give any notice or conduct any hearings for any purpose whatsoever or to have adopted any proceedings with respect to any budget, in connection with the levy and extension of taxes pursuant to this paragraph (b). The board shall cause a certified copy of its resolution levying taxes pursuant to this paragraph (b) to be filed with the county clerk of each county in which any taxable property in the city is located within 30 days after the adoption of the resolution.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-55) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-55)

Sec. 34-55. Expenditures in excess of receipts. The board shall not add to the expenditures for school purposes anything above the amount received from the State common school fund, the rental of school lands or property, funds otherwise received, and the amount of school taxes levied and to be levied for educational and for building purposes. If the board does so add to such expenditures the city shall not be liable therefor. The board is authorized to levy all taxes as provided for in this Article.

(Source: P.A. 85-1418; 86-1477.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-56) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-56)

Sec. 34-56. Amount to cover loss and cost of collecting tax not added. In ascertaining the rate per cent that will produce the amount of any tax levied pursuant to the authority granted by Section 34-53, the county clerk shall not add any amount to cover the loss and cost of collecting the tax.

(Source: P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-57) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-57)

Sec. 34-57. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-58) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-58)

Sec. 34-58. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-59) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-59)

Sec. 34-59. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-60) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-60)

Sec. 34-60. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-61) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-61)

Sec. 34-61. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-62) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-62)

Sec. 34-62. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-63) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-63)

Sec. 34-63. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-15, eff. 5-30-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-64) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-64)

Sec. 34-64. Numbering warrants-Contents-Interest. Warrants issued under Sections 34-24, 34-59, and 34-63 shall be numbered consecutively in the order of their issuance and shall show upon their face that they are payable solely from the respective taxes when collected and that payment thereof will be made in the order of their issuance, beginning with the warrant having the lowest number, and shall be received by any collector of taxes in payment of taxes against which they are issued and such taxes against which the warrants are drawn shall be set apart for their payment. The warrants shall bear interest, payable out of the taxes against which they are drawn, at a rate of not to exceed 7% per annum if issued before July 1, 1971 and if issued thereafter at the rate of not to exceed 6% per annum, from the date of their issuance until paid or until notice is given by publication in a newspaper or otherwise that the money for their payment is available and that they will be paid on presentation.

(Source: P.A. 76-1966.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-65) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-65)

Sec. 34-65. Refunding bonds authorized - Interest. Whenever any school district described in this Article has outstanding bonds which are binding and subsisting legal obligations, and the proceeds of taxes levied for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds have not been collected and are not available for such payments when due, the board may issue refunding bonds for an amount sufficient to pay and discharge any of the outstanding bonds with accrued interest. The refunding bonds shall bear interest at a rate of not more than the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, as amended at the time of the making of the contract, if issued before January 1, 1972 and not more than the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, as amended at the time of the making of the contract, if issued after January 1, 1972 and shall mature within 20 years from the date thereof.

With respect to instruments for the payment of money issued under this Section either before, on, or after the effective date of Public Act 86-4 (June 6, 1989), it is and always has been the intention of the General Assembly (i) that the Omnibus Bond Acts are and always have been supplementary grants of power to issue instruments in accordance with the Omnibus Bond Acts, regardless of any provision of this Act that may appear to be or to have been more restrictive than those Acts, (ii) that the provisions of this Section are not a limitation on the supplementary authority granted by the Omnibus Bond Acts, and (iii) that instruments issued under this Section within the supplementary authority granted by the Omnibus Bond Acts are not invalid because of any provision of this Act that may appear to be or to have been more restrictive than those Acts.

(Source: P.A. 86-4; 86-930; 86-1028.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-66) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-66)

Sec. 34-66. Resolution for refunding bonds - Name in which issued - Signatures. Whenever the board desires to issue refunding bonds under Section 34-65, it shall adopt a resolution designating the purpose and fixing the amount of the bonds proposed to be issued, the maturity thereof, the rate of interest thereon, and the amount of taxes to be levied annually for the purpose of paying the interest on and the principal of the bonds.

Refunding bonds shall be issued in the corporate name of the school district. They shall be signed by the president and the secretary of the board.

(Source: P.A. 86-930.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-67) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-67)

Sec. 34-67. Sale or exchange of bonds - Use of proceeds. Refunding bonds issued under Section 34-65 may be exchanged on the basis of par for par for the bonds being refunded and described in the authorizing resolution, or may be sold at not less than par under the direction of the board, and the proceeds thereof shall be received by the city treasurer, as school treasurer, and shall be kept in a separate fund to be used solely for the purpose of paying the principal and interest on the bonds so refunded. All bonds refunded shall be cancelled.

(Source: P.A. 86-930.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-68) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-68)

Sec. 34-68. Issuance without submission to voters. The board may provide that the resolutions authorizing issuance of refunding bonds issued under Section 34-65 shall be effective without the submission thereof to the voters of the school district or city for approval.

The validity of each refunding bond so executed shall remain unimpaired, although one or more of the signing officers have ceased to be such officer or officers before the delivery of the bond to the purchaser.

(Source: P.A. 85-1418; 86-1477.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-69) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-69)

Sec. 34-69. Tax for payment of refunding bonds. Before or at the time of issuing refunding bonds authorized by Section 34-65 the board shall provide for the collection of a direct annual tax upon all the taxable property of the school district, sufficient to pay and discharge the principal thereof at maturity and to pay the interest thereon as it falls due. Upon the filing in the office of the county clerk of the county wherein such school district is located of a duly certified copy of any such ordinance it shall be the duty of such county clerk to extend the tax therein provided for.

(Source: P.A. 85-1418; 86-1477.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-70) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-70)

Sec. 34-70. Tax for payment of refunded bonds-Reduction of levy. If the proceeds of the refunding bonds authorized by Section 34-65 have been used for the payment of any outstanding bonds of the board, or the refunding bonds have been exchanged for outstanding bonds, and thereafter any portion of the respective taxes levied for the purpose of paying the principal of and interest on the outstanding bonds so paid or exchanged is collected, the money so received shall be placed in the bond and interest sinking fund of the board and used for the purpose of paying the principal of and interest on the refunding bonds issued under Section 34-65 and the taxes thereafter to be extended to pay the refunding bonds shall be reduced by that amount by the county clerk upon receipt of a certified copy of a resolution which must be adopted by the board directing such reduction. A certified copy of the resolution shall be filed with the county clerk of the county, and it shall thereupon be the duty of such official to reduce and extend the tax levy in accordance with the terms of the resolution.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-71) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-71)

Sec. 34-71. Authority cumulative. The authority granted in Sections 34-65 through 34-70, is cumulative authority for the issuance of bonds and shall not be held to repeal any laws with respect thereto.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-72)

Sec. 34-72. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1477. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-73) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-73)

Sec. 34-73. Certain taxes additional to maximum otherwise authorized - not reducible. Each of the taxes authorized to be levied by Sections 34-33, 34-39, 34-53.2, 34-53.3, 34-54.1, 34-57, 34-58, 34-60, 34-62, and 34-69 of this Code, and by Section 17-128 of the "Illinois Pension Code" shall be in addition to and exclusive of the maximum of all other taxes which the school district is authorized by law to levy upon the aggregate valuation of all taxable property within the school district or city and the county clerk in reducing taxes under the provisions of the Property Tax Code shall not consider any of such taxes therein authorized as a part of the tax levy of the school district or city required to be included in the aggregate of all taxes to be reduced and no reduction of any tax levy made under the Property Tax Code shall diminish any amount appropriated or levied for any such tax.

(Source: P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-74) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-74)

Sec. 34-74. Custody of school moneys. Except as provided in Article 34A and Section 34-29.2 of this Code, all moneys raised by taxation for school purposes, or received from the state common school fund, or from any other source for school purposes, shall be held by the city treasurer, ex-officio, as school treasurer, in separate funds for school purposes, subject to the order of the board upon (i) its warrants signed by its president and secretary and countersigned by the mayor and city comptroller or (ii) its checks, as defined in Section 3-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code, signed by its president, secretary, and comptroller and countersigned by the mayor and city comptroller.

(Source: P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-75) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-75)

Sec. 34-75. Duties of city treasurer as to school moneys. The city treasurer shall, as school treasurer, secure and safely keep all school moneys and shall maintain a separate bank account for capital project funds and process only transactions related to capital projects through those accounts, subject to the control and direction of the board, provided that the amount of interest or other investment earnings in such accounts may be from time to time withdrawn by the board and any amounts so withdrawn by the board may be used for any lawful purpose. He shall, subject to the limitations in this Article, keep his books and accounts concerning such moneys in the manner prescribed by the board. His books and accounts shall always be subject to the inspection of the board, or any member thereof. He shall at the end of each month, and oftener if required, render under oath an account to the board showing the state of the school treasury at the date of the account and the balance of money in the treasury. He shall accompany such accounts with a statement of all moneys received into the school treasury, and on what account, together with all warrants redeemed and paid by him; which warrants and all vouchers held by him shall be delivered to the business manager of the board and filed with his account in the business manager's office upon every day of such settlement. He shall return all warrants paid by him stamped or marked "Paid". He shall keep a register of all warrants redeemed and paid, which shall describe such warrants and show the date, amount, number, the fund from which paid, the name of the person to whom and when paid.

(Source: P.A. 82-156.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-76) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-76)

Sec. 34-76. Unpaid warrants for wages.

When a warrant issued for the wages of a teacher or other employee is presented to the school treasurer and is not paid for want of funds, the school treasurer shall endorse it over his signature, "not paid for want of funds," with the date of presentation, and shall make and keep a record of such endorsement. The warrant shall thereafter bear interest at the rate of 7% per annum if issued before January 1, 1972 or at the rate of 6% per annum if issued after January 1, 1972, until the school treasurer notifies the president of the board in writing that he has funds to pay it. The school treasurer shall make and keep a record of such notices and hold the funds necessary to pay the warrant until it is presented. The warrant shall draw no interest after notice is given to the president of the board.

(Source: P.A. 76-2012.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-77) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-77)

Sec. 34-77. Depositories. The school treasurer may be required to keep all moneys in his hands belonging to the board in such places of deposit as may be ordered by the city council but he shall not be required to deposit such moneys elsewhere than in a savings and loan association or a regularly organized bank.

No bank or savings and loan association shall receive public funds as permitted by this Section, unless it has complied with the requirements established pursuant to Section 6 of "An Act relating to certain investments of public funds by public agencies", approved July 23, 1943, as now or hereafter amended.

(Source: P.A. 83-541.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-78) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-78)

Sec. 34-78. Money kept separate-Unlawful use.

The school treasurer shall keep all moneys in his hands belonging to the board separate from his own moneys, and shall not use, either directly or indirectly, the school moneys or warrants in his custody and keeping for his own use and benefit or that of any other person. If the school treasurer violates this section, the city council may immediately remove him from office and declare his office vacant.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-79) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-79)

Sec. 34-79. Annual account of treasurer.

The school treasurer shall annually, between the first and tenth of March 1973, between the first and tenth of March 1974, between the first and tenth of November 1974 and between the first and tenth of November of each year thereafter, file with the controller of the board a detailed account of all receipts and expenditures and of all his transactions during the preceding fiscal year. The account shall show the state of the school treasury at the close of the fiscal year. The account shall immediately be published in the proceedings of the board.

(Source: P.A. 77-2734.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-80) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-80)

Sec. 34-80. Liability on treasurer's bond. The school treasurer shall be liable on his official bond as city treasurer for the proper performance of his duties and the conservation of all moneys held by him under this article. It is hereby made the duty of the city council in fixing the amount, the penalty and conditions of said official bond to do so in such manner as will save the board from any loss. This Section does not prevent the city council from designating a bank or savings and loan association as a depository of school moneys in the manner prescribed in the "Revised Cities and Villages Act", as amended and Section 34-77.

(Source: P.A. 83-541.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-81) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-81)

Sec. 34-81. Interest on fund.

Neither the treasurer nor any other officer having the custody of public school funds is entitled to retain any interest accruing thereon, but such interest shall accrue and inure to the benefit of such funds respectively, become a part thereof and be paid into the city treasury, subject to the purposes of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-82) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-82)

Sec. 34-82. Designation of person to sign for president.

The president of the board, with the approval of the board, may designate one or more persons who shall have authority, when directed to do so by the president, to affix the signature of the president to any bond, warrant, certificate, contract or any other written instrument, which by law is required to be signed by the president of the board. When the signature of the president of the board is so affixed to a written instrument, it shall be as binding upon the board as if signed by the president thereof. Whenever the president of the board desires to designate a person to affix the signature of the president to any bond, warrant, certificate, contract or any other written instrument, he shall send a written notice to the board containing the name of the person he has selected and a designation of the instrument or instruments such person shall have authority to sign. Attached to the notice shall be the written signature of the president of the board, executed by the person so designated, with the signature of the person so designated underneath. The notice shall be filed with the secretary and presented at the next meeting of the board for its approval and shall be printed in its proceedings.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

(105 ILCS 5/prec. Sec. 34-83 heading)

TEACHERS--EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT

(105 ILCS 5/34-83)

Sec. 34-83. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-102, eff. 7-12-99. Repealed by P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22; 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-83.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-83.1)

Sec. 34-83.1. Residence Requirements. Residency within any school district governed by this Article, if not required at the time of employment as a qualification of employment, shall not be considered in determining the compensation of a teacher or whether to retain, promote, assign or transfer that teacher.

(Source: P.A. 82-381.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-84) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-84)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-85)

Sec. 34-84. Appointments and promotions of teachers. Appointments and promotions of teachers shall be made for merit only, and after satisfactory service for a probationary period of 3 years with respect to probationary employees employed as full-time teachers in the public school system of the district before January 1, 1998 and 4 years with respect to probationary employees who are first employed as full-time teachers in the public school system of the district on or after January 1, 1998, during which period the board may dismiss or discharge any such probationary employee upon the recommendation, accompanied by the written reasons therefor, of the general superintendent of schools and after which period appointments of teachers shall become permanent, subject to removal for cause in the manner provided by Section 34-85.

For a probationary-appointed teacher in full-time service who is appointed on or after July 1, 2013 and who receives ratings of "excellent" during his or her first 3 school terms of full-time service, the probationary period shall be 3 school terms of full-time service. For a probationary-appointed teacher in full-time service who is appointed on or after July 1, 2013 and who had previously entered into contractual continued service in another school district in this State or a program of a special education joint agreement in this State, as defined in Section 24-11 of this Code, the probationary period shall be 2 school terms of full-time service, provided that (i) the teacher voluntarily resigned or was honorably dismissed from the prior district or program within the 3-month period preceding his or her appointment date, (ii) the teacher's last 2 ratings in the prior district or program were at least "proficient" and were issued after the prior district's or program's PERA implementation date, as defined in Section 24-11 of this Code, and (iii) the teacher receives ratings of "excellent" during his or her first 2 school terms of full-time service.

For a probationary-appointed teacher in full-time service who is appointed on or after July 1, 2013 and who has not entered into contractual continued service after 2 or 3 school terms of full-time service as provided in this Section, the probationary period shall be 4 school terms of full-time service, provided that the teacher receives a rating of at least "proficient" in the last school term and a rating of at least "proficient" in either the second or third school term.

As used in this Section, "school term" means the school term established by the board pursuant to Section 10-19 of this Code, and "full-time service" means the teacher has actually worked at least 150 days during the school term. As used in this Article, "teachers" means and includes all members of the teaching force excluding the general superintendent and principals.

There shall be no reduction in teachers because of a decrease in student membership or a change in subject requirements within the attendance center organization after the 20th day following the first day of the school year, except that: (1) this provision shall not apply to desegregation positions, special education positions, or any other positions funded by State or federal categorical funds, and (2) at attendance centers maintaining any of grades 9 through 12, there may be a second reduction in teachers on the first day of the second semester of the regular school term because of a decrease in student membership or a change in subject requirements within the attendance center organization.

Teachers who are due to be evaluated in the last year before they are set to retire shall be offered the opportunity to waive their evaluation and to retain their most recent rating, unless the teacher was last rated as "needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory". The school district may still reserve the right to evaluate a teacher provided the district gives notice to the teacher at least 14 days before the evaluation and a reason for evaluating the teacher.

The school principal shall make the decision in selecting teachers to fill new and vacant positions consistent with Section 34-8.1.

(Source: P.A. 103-85, eff. 6-9-23.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-500)

Sec. 34-84. Appointments and promotions of teachers. Appointments and promotions of teachers shall be made for merit only, and after satisfactory service for a probationary period of 3 years with respect to probationary employees employed as full-time teachers in the public school system of the district before January 1, 1998 or on or after July 1, 2023 and 4 years with respect to probationary employees who are first employed as full-time teachers in the public school system of the district on or after January 1, 1998 but before July 1, 2023, during which period the board may dismiss or discharge any such probationary employee upon the recommendation, accompanied by the written reasons therefor, of the general superintendent of schools and after which period appointments of teachers shall become permanent, subject to removal for cause in the manner provided by Section 34-85.

For a probationary-appointed teacher in full-time service who is appointed on or after July 1, 2013 and who receives ratings of "excellent" during his or her first 3 school terms of full-time service, the probationary period shall be 3 school terms of full-time service. For a probationary-appointed teacher in full-time service who is appointed on or after July 1, 2013 and who had previously entered into contractual continued service in another school district in this State or a program of a special education joint agreement in this State, as defined in Section 24-11 of this Code, the probationary period shall be 2 school terms of full-time service, provided that (i) the teacher voluntarily resigned or was honorably dismissed from the prior district or program within the 3-month period preceding his or her appointment date, (ii) the teacher's last 2 ratings in the prior district or program were at least "proficient" and were issued after the prior district's or program's PERA implementation date, as defined in Section 24-11 of this Code, and (iii) the teacher receives ratings of "excellent" during his or her first 2 school terms of full-time service.

For a probationary-appointed teacher in full-time service who has not entered into contractual continued service after 2 or 3 school terms of full-time service as provided in this Section, the probationary period shall be 3 school terms of full-time service, provided that the teacher holds a Professional Educator License and receives a rating of at least "proficient" in the last school term and a rating of at least "proficient" in either the second or third school term.

As used in this Section, "school term" means the school term established by the board pursuant to Section 10-19 of this Code, and "full-time service" means the teacher has actually worked at least 150 days during the school term. As used in this Article, "teachers" means and includes all members of the teaching force excluding the general superintendent and principals.

There shall be no reduction in teachers because of a decrease in student membership or a change in subject requirements within the attendance center organization after the 20th day following the first day of the school year, except that: (1) this provision shall not apply to desegregation positions, special education positions, or any other positions funded by State or federal categorical funds, and (2) at attendance centers maintaining any of grades 9 through 12, there may be a second reduction in teachers on the first day of the second semester of the regular school term because of a decrease in student membership or a change in subject requirements within the attendance center organization.

The school principal shall make the decision in selecting teachers to fill new and vacant positions consistent with Section 34-8.1.

(Source: P.A. 103-500, eff. 8-4-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-84a) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-84a)

Sec. 34-84a. Maintenance of discipline. Subject to the limitations of all policies established or adopted under Section 14-8.05, teachers, other certificated educational employees, and any other person, whether or not a certificated employee, providing a related service for or with respect to a student shall maintain discipline in the schools, including school grounds which are owned or leased by the board and used for school purposes and activities. In all matters relating to the discipline in and conduct of the schools and the school children, they stand in the relation of parents and guardians to the pupils. This relationship shall extend to all activities connected with the school program, including all athletic and extracurricular programs, and may be exercised at any time for the safety and supervision of the pupils in the absence of their parents or guardians.

Nothing in this Section affects the power of the board to establish rules with respect to discipline, except that the rules of the board must provide, subject to the limitations of all policies established or adopted under Section 14-8.05, that a teacher, other certificated employee, and any other person, whether or not a certificated employee, providing a related service for or with respect to a student may use reasonable force as needed to maintain safety for the other students, shall provide that a teacher may remove a student from the classroom for disruptive behavior, and must include provisions which provide due process to students.

(Source: P.A. 89-184, eff. 7-19-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-84a.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-84a.1)

Sec. 34-84a.1. Principals shall report incidents of intimidation. The principal of each attendance center shall promptly notify and report to the local law enforcement authorities for inclusion in the Department of State Police's Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Program each incident of intimidation of which he or she has knowledge and each alleged incident of intimidation which is reported to him or her, either orally or in writing, by any pupil or by any teacher or other certificated or non-certificated personnel employed at the attendance center. "Intimidation" shall have the meaning ascribed to it by Section 12-6 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-84b) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-84b)

Sec. 34-84b. Conviction of sex or narcotics offense, first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, or Class X felony as grounds for revocation of certificate.

(a) Whenever the holder of any certificate issued by the board of education has been convicted of any sex offense or narcotics offense as defined in this Section, the board of education shall forthwith suspend the certificate. If the conviction is reversed and the holder is acquitted of the offense in a new trial or the charges against him are dismissed, the board shall forthwith terminate the suspension of the certificate. When the conviction becomes final, the board shall forthwith revoke the certificate. "Sex offense" as used in this Section means any one or more of the following offenses: (1) any offense defined in Sections 11-6, 11-9, and 11-30, Sections 11-14 through 11-21, inclusive, and Sections 11-1.20, 11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-1.50, 11-1.60, 12-13, 12-14, 12-14.1, 12-15 and 12-16 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (2) any attempt to commit any of the foregoing offenses, and (3) any offense committed or attempted in any other state which, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the foregoing offenses. "Narcotics offense" as used in this Section means any one or more of the following offenses: (1) any offense defined in the Cannabis Control Act except those defined in Sections 4(a), 4(b) and 5(a) of that Act and any offense for which the holder of any certificate is placed on probation under the provisions of Section 10 of that Act and fulfills the terms and conditions of probation as may be required by the court; (2) any offense defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act except any offense for which the holder of any certificate is placed on probation under the provisions of Section 410 of that Act and fulfills the terms and conditions of probation as may be required by the court; (3) any offense defined in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act except any offense for which the holder of any certificate is placed on probation under the provision of Section 70 of that Act and fulfills the terms and conditions of probation as may be required by the court; (4) any attempt to commit any of the foregoing offenses; and (5) any offense committed or attempted in any other state or against the laws of the United States which, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the foregoing offenses.

(b) Whenever the holder of any certificate issued by the board of education or pursuant to Article 21 or any other provisions of the School Code has been convicted of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, or a Class X felony, the board of education or the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith suspend the certificate. If the conviction is reversed and the holder is acquitted of that offense in a new trial or the charges that he or she committed that offense are dismissed, the suspending authority shall forthwith terminate the suspension of the certificate. When the conviction becomes final, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith revoke the certificate. The stated offenses of "first degree murder", "attempted first degree murder", and "Class X felony" referred to in this Section include any offense committed in another state that, if committed in this State, would have been punishable as any one of the stated offenses.

(Source: P.A. 96-1551, eff. 7-1-11; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-84.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-84.1)

Sec. 34-84.1. Teachers employed in Department of Defense overseas dependents' schools. By mutual agreement of a teacher and the board of education, the board may, but is not required to, grant the teacher a leave of absence to accept employment in a Department of Defense overseas dependents' school. If such a leave of absence is granted, the teacher may elect, for a period not exceeding the lesser of the period for which he is so employed or 5 years, (a) to preserve his permanent status under this Act, and (b) to continue receipt, on the same basis as if he were teaching in the school system subject to the board of education, of service credit earned for requirements of promotion, incremental increases in salary, leaves of absence and other privileges based on an established period of service or employment.

A person employed to replace a teacher making the election provided for in this Section does not acquire permanent status as a teacher under this Article.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1999.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-85) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-85)

Sec. 34-85. Removal for cause; notice and hearing; suspension.

(a) No teacher employed by the board of education shall (after serving the probationary period specified in Section 34-84) be removed except for cause. Teachers (who have completed the probationary period specified in Section 34-84 of this Code) shall be removed for cause in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section or, at the board's option, the procedures set forth in Section 24-16.5 of this Code or such other procedures established in an agreement entered into between the board and the exclusive representative of the district's teachers under Section 34-85c of this Code for teachers (who have completed the probationary period specified in Section 34-84 of this Code) assigned to schools identified in that agreement. No principal employed by the board of education shall be removed during the term of his or her performance contract except for cause, which may include but is not limited to the principal's repeated failure to implement the school improvement plan or to comply with the provisions of the Uniform Performance Contract, including additional criteria established by the Council for inclusion in the performance contract pursuant to Section 34-2.3.

Before service of notice of charges on account of causes that may be deemed to be remediable, the teacher or principal must be given reasonable warning in writing, stating specifically the causes that, if not removed, may result in charges; however, no such written warning is required if the causes have been the subject of a remediation plan pursuant to Article 24A of this Code or if the board and the exclusive representative of the district's teachers have entered into an agreement pursuant to Section 34-85c of this Code, pursuant to an alternative system of remediation. No written warning shall be required for conduct on the part of a teacher or principal that is cruel, immoral, negligent, or criminal or that in any way causes psychological or physical harm or injury to a student, as that conduct is deemed to be irremediable. No written warning shall be required for a material breach of the uniform principal performance contract, as that conduct is deemed to be irremediable; provided that not less than 30 days before the vote of the local school council to seek the dismissal of a principal for a material breach of a uniform principal performance contract, the local school council shall specify the nature of the alleged breach in writing and provide a copy of it to the principal.

(1) To initiate dismissal proceedings against a teacher or principal, the general superintendent must first approve written charges and specifications against the teacher or principal. A local school council may direct the general superintendent to approve written charges against its principal on behalf of the Council upon the vote of 7 members of the Council. The general superintendent must approve those charges within 45 calendar days or provide a written reason for not approving those charges. A written notice of those charges, including specifications, shall be served upon the teacher or principal within 10 business days of the approval of the charges. Any written notice sent on or after July 1, 2012 shall also inform the teacher or principal of the right to request a hearing before a mutually selected hearing officer, with the cost of the hearing officer split equally between the teacher or principal and the board, or a hearing before a qualified hearing officer chosen by the general superintendent, with the cost of the hearing officer paid by the board. If the teacher or principal cannot be found upon diligent inquiry, such charges may be served upon him by mailing a copy thereof in a sealed envelope by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested, to the teacher's or principal's last known address. A return receipt showing delivery to such address within 20 calendar days after the date of the approval of the charges shall constitute proof of service.

(2) No hearing upon the charges is required unless the teacher or principal within 17 calendar days after receiving notice requests in writing of the general superintendent that a hearing be scheduled. Pending the hearing of the charges, the general superintendent or his or her designee may suspend the teacher or principal charged without pay in accordance with rules prescribed by the board, provided that if the teacher or principal charged is not dismissed based on the charges, he or she must be made whole for lost earnings, less setoffs for mitigation.

(3) The board shall maintain a list of at least 9 qualified hearing officers who will conduct hearings on charges and specifications. The list must be developed in good faith consultation with the exclusive representative of the board's teachers and professional associations that represent the board's principals. The list may be revised on July 1st of each year or earlier as needed. To be a qualified hearing officer, the person must (i) be accredited by a national arbitration organization and have had a minimum of 5 years of experience as an arbitrator in cases involving labor and employment relations matters between employers and employees or their exclusive bargaining representatives and (ii) beginning September 1, 2012, have participated in training provided or approved by the State Board of Education for teacher dismissal hearing officers so that he or she is familiar with issues generally involved in evaluative and non-evaluative dismissals.

Within 5 business days after receiving the notice of request for a hearing, the general superintendent and the teacher or principal or their legal representatives shall alternately strike one name from the list until only one name remains. Unless waived by the teacher, the teacher or principal shall have the right to proceed first with the striking. If the teacher or principal fails to participate in the striking process, the general superintendent shall either select the hearing officer from the list developed pursuant to this paragraph (3) or select another qualified hearing officer from the master list maintained by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 24-12 of this Code.

(4) If the notice of dismissal was sent to the teacher or principal before July 1, 2012, the fees and costs for the hearing officer shall be paid by the State Board of Education. If the notice of dismissal was sent to the teacher or principal on or after July 1, 2012, the hearing officer's fees and costs must be paid as follows in this paragraph (4). The fees and permissible costs for the hearing officer shall be determined by the State Board of Education. If the hearing officer is mutually selected by the parties through alternate striking in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection (a), then the board and the teacher or their legal representative shall each pay 50% of the fees and costs and any supplemental allowance to which they agree. If the hearing officer is selected by the general superintendent without the participation of the teacher or principal, then the board shall pay 100% of the hearing officer fees and costs. The hearing officer shall submit for payment a billing statement to the parties that itemizes the charges and expenses and divides them in accordance with this Section.

(5) The teacher or the principal charged is required to answer the charges and specifications and aver affirmative matters in his or her defense, and the time for doing so must be set by the hearing officer. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules so that each party has a fair opportunity to present its case and to ensure that the dismissal proceeding is concluded in an expeditious manner. The rules shall address, without limitation, the teacher or principal's answer and affirmative defenses to the charges and specifications; a requirement that each party make mandatory disclosures without request to the other party and then update the disclosure no later than 10 calendar days prior to the commencement of the hearing, including a list of the names and addresses of persons who may be called as witnesses at the hearing, a summary of the facts or opinions each witness will testify to, and all other documents and materials, including information maintained electronically, relevant to its own as well as the other party's case (the hearing officer may exclude witnesses and exhibits not identified and shared, except those offered in rebuttal for which the party could not reasonably have anticipated prior to the hearing); pre-hearing discovery and preparation, including provision for written interrogatories and requests for production of documents, provided that discovery depositions are prohibited; the conduct of the hearing; the right of each party to be represented by counsel, the offer of evidence and witnesses and the cross-examination of witnesses; the authority of the hearing officer to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, provided that the hearing officer may limit the number of witnesses to be subpoenaed in behalf of each party to no more than 7; the length of post-hearing briefs; and the form, length, and content of hearing officers' reports and recommendations to the general superintendent.

The hearing officer shall commence the hearing within 75 calendar days and conclude the hearing within 120 calendar days after being selected by the parties as the hearing officer, provided that these timelines may be modified upon the showing of good cause or mutual agreement of the parties. Good cause for the purposes of this paragraph (5) shall mean the illness or otherwise unavoidable emergency of the teacher, district representative, their legal representatives, the hearing officer, or an essential witness as indicated in each party's pre-hearing submission. In a dismissal hearing in which a witness is a student or is under the age of 18, the hearing officer must make accommodations for the witness, as provided under paragraph (5.5) of this subsection. The hearing officer shall consider and give weight to all of the teacher's evaluations written pursuant to Article 24A that are relevant to the issues in the hearing. Except as otherwise provided under paragraph (5.5) of this subsection, the teacher or principal has the privilege of being present at the hearing with counsel and of cross-examining witnesses and may offer evidence and witnesses and present defenses to the charges. Each party shall have no more than 3 days to present its case, unless extended by the hearing officer to enable a party to present adequate evidence and testimony, including due to the other party's cross-examination of the party's witnesses, for good cause or by mutual agreement of the parties. The State Board of Education shall define in rules the meaning of "day" for such purposes. All testimony at the hearing shall be taken under oath administered by the hearing officer. The hearing officer shall cause a record of the proceedings to be kept and shall employ a competent reporter to take stenographic or stenotype notes of all the testimony. The costs of the reporter's attendance and services at the hearing shall be paid by the party or parties who are paying the fees and costs of the hearing officer. Either party desiring a transcript of the hearing shall pay for the cost thereof. At the close of the hearing, the hearing officer shall direct the parties to submit post-hearing briefs no later than 21 calendar days after receipt of the transcript. Either or both parties may waive submission of briefs.

(5.5) In the case of charges involving any witness who is or was at the time of the alleged conduct a student or a person under the age of 18, the hearing officer shall make accommodations to protect a witness from being intimidated, traumatized, or re-traumatized. No alleged victim or other witness who is or was at the time of the alleged conduct a student or under the age of 18 may be compelled to testify in the physical or visual presence of a teacher or other witness. If such a witness invokes this right, then the hearing officer must provide an accommodation consistent with the invoked right and use a procedure by which each party may hear such witness' testimony. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: (i) testimony made via a telecommunication device in a location other than the hearing room and outside the physical or visual presence of the teacher or principal and other hearing participants, but accessible to the teacher via a telecommunication device, (ii) testimony made in the hearing room but outside the physical presence of the teacher or principal and accessible to the teacher via a telecommunication device, (iii) non-public testimony, (iv) testimony made via videoconference with the cameras and microphones of the teacher turned off, or (v) pre-recorded testimony, including, but not limited to, a recording of a forensic interview conducted at an accredited Children's Advocacy Center. With all accommodations, the hearing officer shall give such testimony the same consideration as if the witness testified without the accommodation. The teacher may not directly, or through a representative, question a witness called by the school board who is or was a student or under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged conduct. The hearing officer must permit the teacher to submit all relevant questions and follow-up questions for such a witness to have the questions posed by the hearing officer. During a testimony described under this subsection, each party must be permitted to ask a witness who is a student or who is under 18 years of age all relevant questions and follow-up questions. All questions must exclude evidence of the witness' sexual behavior or predisposition, unless the evidence is offered to prove that someone other than the teacher subject to the dismissal hearing engaged in the charge at issue.

(6) The hearing officer shall within 30 calendar days from the conclusion of the hearing report to the general superintendent findings of fact and a recommendation as to whether or not the teacher or principal shall be dismissed and shall give a copy of the report to both the teacher or principal and the general superintendent. The State Board of Education shall provide by rule the form of the hearing officer's report and recommendation.

(6.5) If any hearing officer fails without good cause, specifically provided in writing to both parties and the State Board of Education, to render findings of fact and recommendation within 90 days after the closing of the record and receipt of post-hearing briefs, or if any hearing officer fails to make an accommodation pursuant to paragraph (5.5) of this subsection (a), the hearing officer shall be removed from the list of hearing officers developed pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection (a) and the master list of qualified hearing officers maintained by the State Board of Education for not more than 24 months. The parties and the State Board of Education may also take such other actions as it deems appropriate, including recovering, reducing, or withholding any fees paid or to be paid to the hearing officer. If any hearing officer repeats such failure, he or she must be permanently removed from the list of hearing officers developed described in paragraph (3) and the master list maintained by the State Board of Education and may not be selected by parties. The board shall not lose jurisdiction to discharge a teacher or principal if the hearing officer fails to render findings of fact and recommendation within the time specified in this Section.

(7) The board, within 45 days of receipt of the hearing officer's findings of fact and recommendation, shall make a decision as to whether the teacher or principal shall be dismissed from its employ. The failure of the board to strictly adhere to the timeliness contained herein shall not render it without jurisdiction to dismiss the teacher or principal. In the event that the board declines to dismiss the teacher or principal after review of a hearing officer's recommendation, the board shall set the amount of back pay and benefits to award the teacher or principal, which shall include offsets for interim earnings and failure to mitigate losses. The board shall establish procedures for the teacher's or principal's submission of evidence to it regarding lost earnings, lost benefits, mitigation, and offsets. The decision of the board is final unless reviewed in accordance with paragraph (8) of this subsection (a).

(8) The teacher may seek judicial review of the board's decision in accordance with the Administrative Review Law, which is specifically incorporated in this Section, except that the review must be initiated in the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District. In the event judicial review is instituted, any costs of preparing and filing the record of proceedings shall be paid by the party instituting the review. In the event the appellate court reverses a board decision to dismiss a teacher or principal and directs the board to pay the teacher or the principal back pay and benefits, the appellate court shall remand the matter to the board to issue an administrative decision as to the amount of back pay and benefits, which shall include a calculation of the lost earnings, lost benefits, mitigation, and offsets based on evidence submitted to the board in accordance with procedures established by the board.

(9) Any hearing convened during a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act may be convened remotely. Any hearing officer for a hearing convened during a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act may voluntarily withdraw from the hearing and another hearing officer shall be selected or appointed pursuant to this Section.

In this paragraph, "pre-hearing procedures" refers to the pre-hearing procedures under Section 51.55 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and "hearing" refers to the hearing under Section 51.60 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code. Any teacher or principal who has been charged with engaging in acts of corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct and who previously paused pre-hearing procedures or a hearing pursuant to Public Act 101-643 must proceed with selection of a hearing officer or hearing date, or both, within the timeframes established by paragraphs (3) through (5) of this subsection (a), unless the timeframes are mutually waived in writing by both parties, and all timelines set forth in this Section in cases concerning corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct shall be reset to begin the day after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. Any teacher or principal charged with engaging in acts of corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly may not pause pre-hearing procedures or a hearing.

(b) Nothing in this Section affects the validity of removal for cause hearings commenced prior to June 13, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-8).

The changes made by Public Act 97-8 shall apply to dismissals instituted on or after September 1, 2011 or the effective date of Public Act 97-8, whichever is later. Any dismissal instituted prior to the effective date of these changes must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of this Section prior to amendment by Public Act 97-8.

(Source: P.A. 102-708, eff. 4-22-22; 103-354, eff. 1-1-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-85b)

Sec. 34-85b. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-510, eff. 8-28-07. Repealed by P.A. 97-8, eff. 6-13-11.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-85c)

Sec. 34-85c. Alternative procedures for teacher evaluation, remediation, and removal for cause after remediation.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board and the exclusive representative of the district's teachers are hereby authorized to enter into an agreement to establish alternative procedures for teacher evaluation, remediation, and removal for cause after remediation, including an alternative system for peer evaluation and recommendations; provided, however, that no later than September 1, 2012: (i) any alternative procedures must include provisions whereby student performance data is a significant factor in teacher evaluation and (ii) teachers are rated as "excellent", "proficient", "needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory". Pursuant exclusively to that agreement, teachers assigned to schools identified in that agreement shall be subject to an alternative performance evaluation plan and remediation procedures in lieu of the plan and procedures set forth in Article 24A of this Code and alternative removal for cause standards and procedures in lieu of the removal standards and procedures set forth in Section 34-85 of this Code. To the extent that the agreement provides a teacher with an opportunity for a hearing on removal for cause before an independent hearing officer in accordance with Section 34-85 or otherwise, the hearing officer shall be governed by the alternative performance evaluation plan, remediation procedures, and removal standards and procedures set forth in the agreement in making findings of fact and a recommendation.

(a-5) If the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act that suspends in-person instruction, the timelines connected to the commencement and completion of any remediation plan are paused. Except where the parties mutually agree otherwise and such agreement is in writing, any remediation plan that had been in place for 45 or more days prior to the suspension of in-person instruction shall resume when in-person instruction resumes; any remediation plan that had been in place for fewer than 45 days prior to the suspension of in-person instruction shall discontinue and a new remediation period will begin when in-person instruction resumes.

(a-10) No later than September 1, 2022, the school district must establish a teacher evaluation plan that ensures that each teacher in contractual continued service whose performance is rated as either "excellent" or "proficient" is evaluated at least once in the course of the 3 school years after receipt of the rating and establish an informal teacher observation plan that ensures that each teacher in contractual continued service whose performance is rated as either "excellent" or "proficient" is informally observed at least once in the course of the 2 school years after receipt of the rating.

(a-15) For the 2022-2023 school year only, if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, the school district may waive the evaluation requirement of any teacher in contractual continued service whose performance was rated as either "excellent" or "proficient" during the last school year in which the teacher was evaluated under this Section.

(b) The board and the exclusive representative of the district's teachers shall submit a certified copy of an agreement as provided under subsection (a) of this Section to the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-252, eff. 1-1-22; 102-729, eff. 5-6-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-85d)

Sec. 34-85d. Teacher evaluation; copies. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the school district shall provide all copies of teacher evaluations to the exclusive bargaining representative of the school district's teachers within 7 days after issuing the evaluations.

(Source: P.A. 100-682, eff. 1-1-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-85e)

Sec. 34-85e. COVID-19 sick leave. For purposes of this Section, "employee" means a person employed by the school district on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

Any sick leave used by a teacher or employee during the 2021-2022 school year shall be returned to a teacher or employee who receives all doses required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined in Section 34-18.78 of this Code, if:

(1) the sick leave was taken because the teacher or employee was restricted from being on school district property because the teacher or employee:

(A) had a confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis via a molecular amplification diagnostic test, such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19;

(B) had a probable COVID-19 diagnosis via an antigen diagnostic test;

(C) was in close contact with a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was required to be excluded from school; or

(D) was required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms; or

(2) the sick leave was taken to care for a child of the teacher or employee who was unable to attend elementary or secondary school because the child:

(A) had a confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis via a molecular amplification diagnostic test, such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19;

(B) had a probable COVID-19 diagnosis via an antigen diagnostic test;

(C) was in close contact with a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was required to be excluded from school; or

(D) was required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms.

Leave shall be returned to a teacher or employee pursuant to this Section provided that the teacher or employee has received all required doses to meet the definition of "fully vaccinated against COVID-19" under Section 34-18.78 of this Code no later than 5 weeks after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

No school may rescind any sick leave returned to a teacher or employee on the basis of a revision to the definition of "fully vaccinated against COVID-19" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Public Health, provided that the teacher or employee received all doses required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined in Section 34-18.78 of this Code, at the time the sick leave was returned to the teacher or employee.

(Source: P.A. 102-697, eff. 4-5-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-87)

Sec. 34-87. (Repealed).

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-88) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-88)

Sec. 34-88. District and school report cards. The board shall, in accordance with Section 10-17a of the School Code, annually present and disseminate the school district and school report cards prepared by the State Superintendent of Education.

(Source: P.A. 97-671, eff. 1-24-12.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-128) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-128)

Sec. 34-128. The Board shall provide free bus transportation for every child who is a child with a mental disability who is trainable, as defined in Article 14, who resides at a distance of one mile or more from any school to which he is assigned for attendance and who the State Board of Education determines in advance requires special transportation service in order to take advantage of special educational facilities.

The board may levy, without regard to any other legally authorized tax and in addition to such taxes, an annual tax upon all the taxable property in the school district at a rate not to exceed .005% of the value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, that will produce an amount not to exceed the annual cost of transportation provided in accordance with this Section. The board shall deduct from the cost of such transportation any amount reimbursed by the State under Article 14. Such levy is authorized in the year following the school year in which the transportation costs were incurred by the district.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)