Public Act 097-0570
 
HB3115 EnrolledLRB097 07760 NHT 47872 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
2-3.153 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.153 new)
    Sec. 2-3.153. Textbook block grant program.
    (a) The provisions of this Section are in the public
interest, for the public benefit, and serve secular public
purposes.
    (b) As used in this Section, "textbook" means any book or
book substitute that a pupil uses as a text or text substitute,
including electronic textbooks. "Textbook" includes books,
reusable workbooks, manuals, whether bound or in loose-leaf
form, instructional computer software, and electronic
textbooks and the technological equipment necessary to gain
access to and use electronic textbooks intended as a principal
source of study material for a given class or group of
students. "Textbook" also includes science curriculum
materials in a kit format that includes pre-packaged consumable
materials if (i) it is shown that the materials serve as a
textbook substitute, (ii) the materials are for use by the
pupils as a principal learning source, (iii) each component of
the materials is integrally necessary to teach the requirements
of the intended course, (iv) the kit includes teacher guidance
materials, and (v) the purchase of individual consumable
materials is not allowed.
    (c) Beginning July 1, 2011, subject to annual appropriation
by the General Assembly, the State Board of Education is
authorized to provide annual funding to public school districts
and State-recognized, non-public schools serving students in
grades kindergarten through 12 for the purchase of selected
textbooks. The textbooks authorized to be purchased under this
Section are limited without exception to textbooks that have
been preapproved and designated by the State Board of Education
for use in any public school and that are secular,
non-religious, and non-sectarian. The State Board of Education
shall annually publish a list of the textbooks authorized to be
purchased under this Section. Each public school district and
State-recognized, non-public school shall, subject to
appropriations for that purpose, receive a per pupil grant for
the purchase of secular textbooks. The per pupil grant amount
must be calculated by the State Board of Education utilizing
the total appropriation made for these purposes divided by the
most current student enrollment data available.
    (d) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as
necessary for the implementation of this Section and to ensure
the religious neutrality of the textbook block grant program,
as well as provide for the monitoring of all textbooks
authorized in this Section to be purchased directly by
State-recognized, nonpublic schools serving students in grades
kindergarten through 12.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/18-17 rep.)
    (105 ILCS 5/28-6 rep.)
    (105 ILCS 5/28-10 rep.)
    (105 ILCS 5/28-12 rep.)
    (105 ILCS 5/28-16 rep.)
    (105 ILCS 5/28-17 rep.)
    Section 10. The School Code is amended by repealing
Sections 18-17, 28-6, 28-10, 28-12, 28-16, and 28-17.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
2011.