105 ILCS 5/ School Code.

(105 ILCS 5/Art. 1A heading) ARTICLE 1A. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

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

Sec. 1A-1. Members and terms.

(a) (Blank).

(b) The State Board of Education shall consist of 8 members and a chairperson, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate from a pattern of regional representation as follows: 2 appointees shall be selected from among those counties of the State other than Cook County and the 5 counties contiguous to Cook County, one of whom must represent the educator community; 2 appointees shall be selected from Cook County, one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Chicago and one of whom shall be a resident of that part of Cook County which lies outside the city limits of Chicago and of whom one must represent the educator community; 2 appointees shall be selected from among the 5 counties of the State that are contiguous to Cook County, one of whom must represent the educator community; and 3 members shall be selected as members-at-large (one of which shall be the chairperson). With respect to the educator community appointments, no more than one member may be employed as a district superintendent, principal, school business official, or teacher and no more than one may be employed by the same school district or school. The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly apply to appointments made after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The Governor who takes office on the second Monday of January after his or her election shall be the person who nominates members to fill vacancies whose terms begin after that date and before the term of the next Governor begins.

The term of each member of the State Board of Education whose term expires on January 12, 2005 shall instead terminate on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. Of these 3 seats, (i) the member initially appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly whose seat was vacant on April 27, 2004 shall serve until the second Wednesday of January, 2009 and (ii) the other 2 members initially appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall serve until the second Wednesday of January, 2007.

The term of the member of the State Board of Education whose seat was vacant on April 27, 2004 and whose term expires on January 10, 2007 shall instead terminate on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. The member initially appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly to fill this seat shall be the chairperson and shall serve until the second Wednesday of January, 2007.

The term of the member of the State Board of Education whose seat was vacant on May 28, 2004 but after April 27, 2004 and whose term expires on January 10, 2007 shall instead terminate on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. The member initially appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly to fill this seat shall serve until the second Wednesday of January, 2007.

The term of the other member of the State Board of Education whose term expires on January 10, 2007 shall instead terminate on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. The member initially appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly to fill this seat shall serve until the second Wednesday of January, 2007.

The term of the member of the State Board of Education whose term expires on January 14, 2009 and who was selected from among the 5 counties of the State that are contiguous to Cook County and is a resident of Lake County shall instead terminate on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. The member initially appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly to fill this seat shall serve until the second Wednesday of January, 2009.

Upon expiration of the terms of the members initially appointed under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly and members whose terms were not terminated by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, their respective successors shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, from the second Wednesday in January of each odd numbered year and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.

(c) Of the 4 members, excluding the chairperson, whose terms expire on the second Wednesday of January, 2007 and every 4 years thereafter, one of those members must be an at-large member and at no time may more than 2 of those members be from one political party. Of the 4 members whose terms expire on the second Wednesday of January, 2009 and every 4 years thereafter, one of those members must be an at-large member and at no time may more than 2 of those members be from one political party. Party membership is defined as having voted in the primary of the party in the last primary before appointment.

(d) Vacancies in terms shall be filled by appointment by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for the extent of the unexpired term. If a vacancy in membership occurs at a time when the Senate is not in session, the Governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate, when the Governor shall appoint a person to fill that membership for the remainder of its term. If the Senate is not in session when appointments for a full term are made, the appointments shall be made as in the case of vacancies.

(Source: P.A. 100-1135, eff. 11-28-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/1A-2) (from Ch. 122, par. 1A-2)

Sec. 1A-2. Qualifications. The members of the State Board of Education shall be citizens of the United States and residents of the State of Illinois and shall be selected as far as may be practicable on the basis of their knowledge of, or interest and experience in, problems of public education. No member of the State Board of Education shall benefit from funds provided by the State Board of Education to an institution of higher learning, public or private, within Illinois, nor shall members be school trustees of a public or nonpublic college, university or technical institution within Illinois. No member shall be appointed to more than 2 4-year terms. Members shall be reimbursed for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as members of the Board. Expenses shall be approved by the Board and be consistent with the laws, policies, and requirements of the State of Illinois regarding such expenditures, plus any member may include in his or her claim for expenses $50 per day for meeting days.

(Source: P.A. 100-1135, eff. 11-28-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/1A-2.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 1A-2.1)

Sec. 1A-2.1. Vacancies. The Governor may remove for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office any member of the State Board of Education. A vacancy also exists on the State Board of Education when one or more of the following events occur:

1. A member dies.

2. A member files a written resignation with the Governor.

3. A member is adjudicated to be a person under legal disability under the Probate Act of 1975 or a person subject to involuntary admission under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.

4. A member ceases to be a resident of the region from which he or she was appointed.

5. A member is convicted of an infamous crime or of any offense involving a violation of his or her duties under this Code.

6. A member fails to maintain the qualifications stated in Sections 1A-1 and 1A-2 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 100-1135, eff. 11-28-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/1A-4) (from Ch. 122, par. 1A-4)

Sec. 1A-4. Powers and duties of the Board.

A. (Blank).

B. The Board shall determine the qualifications of and appoint a chief education officer, to be known as the State Superintendent of Education, who may be proposed by the Governor and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and pursuant to a performance-based contract linked to statewide student performance and academic improvement within Illinois schools. Upon expiration or buyout of the contract of the State Superintendent of Education in office on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, a State Superintendent of Education shall be appointed by a State Board of Education that includes the 7 new Board members who were appointed to fill seats of members whose terms were terminated on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. Thereafter, a State Superintendent of Education must, at a minimum, be appointed at the beginning of each term of a Governor after that Governor has made appointments to the Board. A performance-based contract issued for the employment of a State Superintendent of Education entered into on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly must expire no later than February 1, 2007, and subsequent contracts must expire no later than February 1 each 4 years thereafter. No contract shall be extended or renewed beyond February 1, 2007 and February 1 each 4 years thereafter, but a State Superintendent of Education shall serve until his or her successor is appointed. Each contract entered into on or before January 8, 2007 with a State Superintendent of Education must provide that the State Board of Education may terminate the contract for cause, and the State Board of Education shall not thereafter be liable for further payments under the contract. With regard to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, it is the intent of the General Assembly that, beginning with the Governor who takes office on the second Monday of January, 2007, a State Superintendent of Education be appointed at the beginning of each term of a Governor after that Governor has made appointments to the Board. The State Superintendent of Education shall not serve as a member of the State Board of Education. The Board shall set the compensation of the State Superintendent of Education who shall serve as the Board's chief executive officer. The Board shall also establish the duties, powers and responsibilities of the State Superintendent, which shall be included in the State Superintendent's performance-based contract along with the goals and indicators of student performance and academic improvement used to measure the performance and effectiveness of the State Superintendent. The State Board of Education may delegate to the State Superintendent of Education the authority to act on the Board's behalf, provided such delegation is made pursuant to adopted board policy or the powers delegated are ministerial in nature. The State Board may not delegate authority under this Section to the State Superintendent to (1) nonrecognize school districts, (2) withhold State payments as a penalty, or (3) make final decisions under the contested case provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act unless otherwise provided by law.

C. The powers and duties of the State Board of Education shall encompass all duties delegated to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction on January 12, 1975, except as the law providing for such powers and duties is thereafter amended, and such other powers and duties as the General Assembly shall designate. The Board shall be responsible for the educational policies and guidelines for public schools, pre-school through grade 12 and Vocational Education in the State of Illinois. The Board shall analyze the present and future aims, needs, and requirements of education in the State of Illinois and recommend to the General Assembly the powers which should be exercised by the Board. The Board shall recommend the passage and the legislation necessary to determine the appropriate relationship between the Board and local boards of education and the various State agencies and shall recommend desirable modifications in the laws which affect schools.

D. Two members of the Board shall be appointed by the chairperson to serve on a standing joint Education Committee, 2 others shall be appointed from the Board of Higher Education, 2 others shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Illinois Community College Board, and 2 others shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Human Resource Investment Council. The Committee shall be responsible for making recommendations concerning the submission of any workforce development plan or workforce training program required by federal law or under any block grant authority. The Committee will be responsible for developing policy on matters of mutual concern to elementary, secondary and higher education such as Occupational and Career Education, Teacher Preparation and Licensure, Educational Finance, Articulation between Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education and Research and Planning. The joint Education Committee shall meet at least quarterly and submit an annual report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Human Resource Investment Council, the Governor, and the General Assembly. All meetings of this Committee shall be official meetings for reimbursement under this Act. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the Joint Education Committee is abolished.

E. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the members appointed, confirmed and serving on the Board is required to approve any action, except that the 7 new Board members who were appointed to fill seats of members whose terms were terminated on the effective date of this amendatory act of the 93rd General Assembly may vote to approve actions when appointed and serving.

F. Upon appointment of the 7 new Board members who were appointed to fill seats of members whose terms were terminated on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, the Board shall review all of its current rules in an effort to streamline procedures, improve efficiency, and eliminate unnecessary forms and paperwork.

(Source: P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/1A-6)

Sec. 1A-6. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 79-1454. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/1A-8) (from Ch. 122, par. 1A-8)

Sec. 1A-8. Powers of the Board in Assisting Districts Deemed in Financial Difficulties. To promote the financial integrity of school districts, the State Board of Education shall be provided the necessary powers to promote sound financial management and continue operation of the public schools.

(a) The State Superintendent of Education may require a school district, including any district subject to Article 34A of this Code, to share financial information relevant to a proper investigation of the district's financial condition and the delivery of appropriate State financial, technical, and consulting services to the district if the district (i) has been designated, through the State Board of Education's School District Financial Profile System, as on financial warning or financial watch status, (ii) has failed to file an annual financial report, annual budget, deficit reduction plan, or other financial information as required by law, (iii) has been identified, through the district's annual audit or other financial and management information, as in serious financial difficulty in the current or next school year, or (iv) is determined to be likely to fail to fully meet any regularly scheduled, payroll-period obligations when due or any debt service payments when due or both. In addition to financial, technical, and consulting services provided by the State Board of Education, at the request of a school district, the State Superintendent may provide for an independent financial consultant to assist the district review its financial condition and options.

(b) The State Board of Education, after proper investigation of a district's financial condition, may certify that a district, including any district subject to Article 34A, is in financial difficulty when any of the following conditions occur:

(1) The district has issued school or teacher orders for wages as permitted in Sections 8-16, 32-7.2 and 34-76 of this Code.

(2) The district has issued tax anticipation warrants or tax anticipation notes in anticipation of a second year's taxes when warrants or notes in anticipation of current year taxes are still outstanding, as authorized by Sections 17-16, 34-23, 34-59 and 34-63 of this Code, or has issued short-term debt against 2 future revenue sources, such as, but not limited to, tax anticipation warrants and general State aid or evidence-based funding certificates or tax anticipation warrants and revenue anticipation notes.

(3) The district has for 2 consecutive years shown an excess of expenditures and other financing uses over revenues and other financing sources and beginning fund balances on its annual financial report for the aggregate totals of the Educational, Operations and Maintenance, Transportation, and Working Cash Funds.

(4) The district refuses to provide financial information or cooperate with the State Superintendent in an investigation of the district's financial condition.

(5) The district is likely to fail to fully meet any regularly scheduled, payroll-period obligations when due or any debt service payments when due or both.

No school district shall be certified by the State Board of Education to be in financial difficulty solely by reason of any of the above circumstances arising as a result of (i) the failure of the county to make any distribution of property tax money due the district at the time such distribution is due or (ii) the failure of this State to make timely payments of general State aid, evidence-based funding, or any of the mandated categoricals; or if the district clearly demonstrates to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education at the time of its determination that such condition no longer exists. If the State Board of Education certifies that a district in a city with 500,000 inhabitants or more is in financial difficulty, the State Board shall so notify the Governor and the Mayor of the city in which the district is located. The State Board of Education may require school districts certified in financial difficulty, except those districts subject to Article 34A, to develop, adopt and submit a financial plan within 45 days after certification of financial difficulty. The financial plan shall be developed according to guidelines presented to the district by the State Board of Education within 14 days of certification. Such guidelines shall address the specific nature of each district's financial difficulties. Any proposed budget of the district shall be consistent with the financial plan submitted to and approved by the State Board of Education.

A district certified to be in financial difficulty, other than a district subject to Article 34A, shall report to the State Board of Education at such times and in such manner as the State Board may direct, concerning the district's compliance with each financial plan. The State Board may review the district's operations, obtain budgetary data and financial statements, require the district to produce reports, and have access to any other information in the possession of the district that it deems relevant. The State Board may issue recommendations or directives within its powers to the district to assist in compliance with the financial plan. The district shall produce such budgetary data, financial statements, reports and other information and comply with such directives. If the State Board of Education determines that a district has failed to comply with its financial plan, the State Board of Education may rescind approval of the plan and appoint a Financial Oversight Panel for the district as provided in Section 1B-4. This action shall be taken only after the district has been given notice and an opportunity to appear before the State Board of Education to discuss its failure to comply with its financial plan.

No bonds, notes, teachers orders, tax anticipation warrants or other evidences of indebtedness shall be issued or sold by a school district or be legally binding upon or enforceable against a local board of education of a district certified to be in financial difficulty unless and until the financial plan required under this Section has been approved by the State Board of Education.

Any financial profile compiled and distributed by the State Board of Education in Fiscal Year 2009 or any fiscal year thereafter shall incorporate such adjustments as may be needed in the profile scores to reflect the financial effects of the inability or refusal of the State of Illinois to make timely disbursements of any general State aid, evidence-based funding, or mandated categorical aid payments due school districts or to fully reimburse school districts for mandated categorical programs pursuant to reimbursement formulas provided in this School Code.

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

(105 ILCS 5/1A-9)

Sec. 1A-9. Duty of the Board to disseminate information concerning the Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act. The Board shall (i) prepare and disseminate to the local educational agencies and the regional offices of education materials advising parents of their rights under the Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act and (ii) add notice to its website advising parents of their rights under the Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-462, eff. 1-1-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/1A-10)

Sec. 1A-10. Divisions of Board. The State Board of Education shall have, without limitation, the following divisions within the Board:

(1) Educator Effectiveness.

(2) Improvement and Innovation.

(3) Fiscal Support Services.

(4) (Blank).

(5) Internal Auditor.

(6) Human Resources.

(7) Legal.

(8) Specialized Instruction, Nutrition, and Wellness.

(9) Language and Early Childhood Development.

The State Board of Education may, after consultation with the General Assembly, add any divisions or functions to the Board that it deems appropriate and consistent with Illinois law.

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

(105 ILCS 5/1A-11)

Sec. 1A-11. Children; methamphetamine; protocol. The State Board of Education shall cooperate with the Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois State Police in developing the protocol required under Section 6.5 of the Children and Family Services Act. The Board must post the protocol on the official Web site maintained by the Board.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)