Public Act 093-1036
 
SB3000 Enrolled LRB093 19896 NHT 47057 b

    AN ACT concerning education, which may be referred to as
the Education Reform and Accountability Act of 2004.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the School
Employee Benefit Act.
 
    Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to require
the Department of Central Management Services to establish and
administer a prescription drug benefit program that will enable
eligible school employees access to affordable prescription
drugs.
 
    Section 10. Definitions.
    "Annuitant" means a retired school district employee
entitled to receive retirement benefits, as defined by the
school district.
    "Department" means the Department of Central Management
Services.
    "Dependent" means a school district employee's dependent
as defined by the school district.
    "Director" means the Director of Central Management
Services.
    "Employee" means a school district employee who is entitled
to benefits as defined by the school district.
    "Rules" includes rules adopted and forms prescribed by the
Department.
    "School district" means a public school district in this
State.
 
    Section 15. Prescription drug benefits; contract.
    (a) The Director shall, by contract, self-insurance, or
otherwise, make available a voluntary program of prescription
drug benefits for school districts under Section 15 of this
Act. The contract or other arrangement for the provision of the
prescription drug benefits shall be on terms deemed by the
Director to be in the best interest of the State of Illinois
and school districts based on criteria set by the Department,
which must include without limitation administrative cost,
service capabilities of the carrier or other contractors, and
premiums, fees, or charges as related to the costs of the
benefits.
    (b) The term of a contract under this Section may not
extend beyond 5 fiscal years. The Director may exercise renewal
options of the same contract for up to a period of 5 years. Any
increases in premiums, fees, or charges requested by a
contractor whose contract may be renewed pursuant to a renewal
option contained in the contract must be justified on the basis
of (1) audited experience data, (2) increases in the costs of
prescription drug coverage provided under the contract, (3)
contractor performance, (4) increases in contractor
responsibilities, or (5) any combination of these bases.
    (c) A contractor shall agree to abide by all requirements
and rules of the prescription drug benefit program, to submit
such information and data as may from time to time be deemed
necessary by the Director for effective administration of the
program, and to fully cooperate in any audit.
 
    Section 20. Prescription drug benefits; program.
    (a) Beginning July 1, 2005, the Department shall be
responsible for administering the prescription drug benefit
program established under this Act for employees, annuitants,
and dependents on a non-insured basis.
    (b) For each program year, the Department shall set a date
by which school districts must notify the Department of their
election to participate in the prescription drug benefit
program. The Department shall provide notification of the
election date to school districts at least 45 days prior to the
election date.
    (c) Any school district may apply to the Director to have
employees, annuitants, and dependents be provided a
prescription drug benefit program under this Act. To
participate, a school district must agree to enroll all of its
employees. A participating school district is not required to
enroll a full-time employee who has waived coverage under the
district's health plan.
    (d) The Director shall determine the insurance rates and
premiums for those employees, annuitants, and dependents
participating in the prescription drug benefit program. Rates
and premiums may be based in part on age and eligibility for
federal Medicare coverage.
    A school district must remit the entire cost of providing
prescription drug coverage under this Section.
    (e) All revenues arising from the administration of the
prescription drug benefit program shall be deposited into
general revenue funds.
    (f) The prescription drug benefit program shall be
maintained on an ongoing, affordable basis, and the cost to
school districts shall not exceed the State's actual program
costs. The prescription drug benefit program may be changed by
the State and is not intended to be a pension or retirement
benefit subject to protection under Section 5 of Article XIII
of the Illinois Constitution.
 
    Section 25. Pharmacy providers.
    (a) The Department or its contractor may enter into a
contract with a pharmacy registered or licensed under Section
16a of the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987.
    (b) Before entering into an agreement with other pharmacy
providers, pursuant to Sections 15 and 20 of this Act, the
Department or its contractor must by rule or contract establish
terms or conditions that must be met by pharmacy providers
desiring to contract with the Department or its contractor. If
a pharmacy licensed under Section 15 of the Pharmacy Practice
Act of 1987 rejects the terms and conditions established, the
Department or its contractor may offer other terms and
conditions necessary to comply with the network adequacy
requirements.
    (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of
this Section, the Department or its contractor may not refuse
to contract with a pharmacy licensed under Section 15 of the
Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987 that meets the terms and
conditions established by the Department or its contractor
under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section.
 
    Section 85. The State Finance Act is amended by changing
Section 13.5 as follows:
 
    (30 ILCS 105/13.5)
    Sec. 13.5. Appropriations for higher education.
    (a) State appropriations to the State Board of Education,
the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, the
Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, the Board of
Trustees of Chicago State University, the Board of Trustees of
Eastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Illinois
State University, the Board of Trustees of Governors State
University, the Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois
University, the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois
University, and the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois
University for operations shall identify the amounts
appropriated for personal services, State contributions to
social security for Medicare, contractual services, travel,
commodities, equipment, operation of automotive equipment,
telecommunications, awards and grants, and permanent
improvements.
    (b) Within 120 days after the conclusion of each fiscal
year, each State-supported institution of higher learning must
provide, through the Illinois Board of Higher Education, a
financial report to the Governor and General Assembly
documenting the institution's revenues and expenditures of
funds for that fiscal year ending June 30 for all funds.
(Source: P.A. 93-229, eff. 7-22-03.)
 
    Section 90. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
1A-1, 1A-2.1, 1A-4, 2-3.6, 10-19, 10-20.21, 21-1b, 21-1c,
21-12, and 34-18 and by adding Sections 1A-10, 2-3.47a,
2-3.62a, and 3-14.30 and Article 28A as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/1A-1)  (from Ch. 122, par. 1A-1)
    Sec. 1A-1. Members and terms.
    (a) (Blank). The term of each member of the State Board of
Education who is in office on the effective date of this
amendatory Act of 1996 shall terminate on January 1, 1997 or
when all of the new members initially to be appointed under
this amendatory Act of 1996 are appointed by the Governor as
provided in subsection (b), whichever last occurs.
    (b) The Beginning on January 1, 1997 or when all of the new
members initially to be appointed under this subsection are
appointed by the Governor, whichever last occurs, and
thereafter, the State Board of Education shall consist of 8 9
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;
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; 2 appointees shall be
selected from among the 5 counties of the State that are
contiguous to Cook County; and 3 members shall be selected as
members-at-large (one of which shall be the chairperson). 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. At no time may more than 5 members of the Board be from
one political party. Party membership is defined as having
voted in the primary of the party in the last primary before
appointment. The 9 members initially appointed pursuant to this
amendatory Act of 1996 shall draw lots to determine 3 of their
number who shall serve until the second Wednesday of January,
2003, 3 of their number who shall serve until the second
Wednesday of January, 2001, and 3 of their number who shall
serve until the second Wednesday of January, 1999.
    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 1996, their
respective successors shall be appointed for terms of 4 6
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. 89-610, eff. 8-6-96.)
 
    (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 a member dies. ;
    2. A a member files a written resignation with the
Governor. ;
    3. A a member is adjudicated to be a person under legal
disability under the Probate Act of 1975, as amended, or a
person subject to involuntary admission under the Mental Health
and Developmental Disabilities Code. ;
    4. A a member ceases to be a resident of the region
judicial district from which he or she was appointed. ;
    5. A a member is convicted of an infamous crime, or of any
offense involving a violation of his or her duties under this
Code. Act;
    6. A a member fails to maintain the qualifications stated
in Section 1A-2 of this Code Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-706.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/1A-4)  (from Ch. 122, par. 1A-4)
    Sec. 1A-4. Powers and duties of the Board.
    A. (Blank). Upon the appointment of new Board members as
provided in subsection (b) of Section 1A-1 and every 2 years
thereafter, the chairperson of the Board shall be selected by
the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from
the membership of the Board to serve as chairperson for 2
years.
    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 No performance-based contract
issued for the employment of a the 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
shall be for a term longer than 3 years and 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
prior to its scheduled expiration unless the performance and
improvement goals contained in the contract have been met. 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 Certification, 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.
    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.
    The Board shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly
and the Governor on or before January 14, 1976 and annually
thereafter a report or reports of its findings and
recommendations. Such annual report shall contain a separate
section which provides a critique and analysis of the status of
education in Illinois and which identifies its specific
problems and recommends express solutions therefor. Such
annual report also shall contain the following information for
the preceding year ending on June 30: each act or omission of a
school district of which the State Board of Education has
knowledge as a consequence of scheduled, approved visits and
which constituted a failure by the district to comply with
applicable State or federal laws or regulations relating to
public education, the name of such district, the date or dates
on which the State Board of Education notified the school
district of such act or omission, and what action, if any, the
school district took with respect thereto after being notified
thereof by the State Board of Education. The report shall also
include the statewide high school dropout rate by grade level,
sex and race and the annual student dropout rate of and the
number of students who graduate from, transfer from or
otherwise leave bilingual programs. The Auditor General shall
annually perform a compliance audit of the State Board of
Education's performance of the reporting duty imposed by this
amendatory Act of 1986. A regular system of communication with
other directly related State agencies shall be implemented.
    The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall
be satisfied by filing copies of the report with the Speaker,
the Minority Leader and the Clerk of the House of
Representatives and the President, the Minority Leader and the
Secretary of the Senate and the Legislative Council, as
required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization
Act, and filing such additional copies with the State
Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly
as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State
Library Act.
    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. 89-430, eff. 12-15-95; 89-610, eff. 8-6-96;
89-698, eff. 1-14-97; 90-548, eff. 1-1-98.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/1A-10 new)
    Sec. 1A-10. Divisions of Board. The State Board of
Education shall, before April 1, 2005, create divisions within
the Board, including without limitation the following:
        (1) Teaching and Learning Services for All Children.
        (2) School Support Services for All Schools.
        (3) Fiscal Support Services.
        (4) Special Education Services.
        (5) Internal Auditor.
        (6) Human Resources.
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.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.6)  (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.6)
    Sec. 2-3.6. Rules and policies. To make rules, in
accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act,
that are necessary to carry into efficient and uniform effect
all laws for establishing and maintaining free schools in the
State. The State Board of Education may not adopt any rule or
policy that alters the intent of the authorizing law or that
supersedes federal or State law. The Board may not make
policies affecting school districts that have the effect of
rules without following the procedures of the Illinois
Administrative Procedure Act.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.47a new)
    Sec. 2-3.47a. Strategic plan.
    (a) The State Board of Education shall develop and maintain
a continuing 5-year comprehensive strategic plan for
elementary and secondary education. The strategic plan shall
include without limitation all of the following topic areas:
        (1) Service and support to school districts to improve
    student performance.
        (2) Equity, adequacy, and predictability of
    educational opportunities and resources for all schools.
        (3) Program development and improvements, including
    financial planning and support services.
        (4) Efficient means of delivering services to schools
    on a regional basis.
        (5) Assistance to students at risk of academic failure
    and the use of proven support programs and services to
    close the achievement gap.
        (6) Educational research and development and access
    and training in the use of a centralized student
    achievement data system.
        (7) Recommendations for streamlining the School Code
    to eliminate laws that interfere with local control, taking
    into account those foundational standards that have
    already been established.
        (8) Streamlining certification of teachers and
    administrators to provide quality personnel and ongoing
    professional development.
        (9) Support services to enhance the capacity of school
    districts to meet federal and State statutory standards.
        (10) Enhanced technology for use in administration,
    classroom, and nontraditional educational settings.
        (11) Recognition of successful, exemplary schools.
        (12) The unique needs of rural school districts.
        (13) School reorganization issues.
        (14) Attraction and retention of qualified teachers.
        (15) Additional duties that should be assigned to
    regional offices of education and regional administrative
    service centers to support local control of school
    districts and eliminate any duplication and inefficiency.
The State Board of Education shall consult with the educational
community, hold public hearings, and receive input from all
interested groups in drafting the strategic plan.
    (b) To meet the requirements of this Section, the State
Board of Education shall issue to the Governor and General
Assembly a preliminary report within 6 months after the
effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General
Assembly and a final 5-year strategic plan within one year
after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd
General Assembly. Thereafter, the strategic plan shall be
updated and issued to the Governor and General Assembly on or
before July 1 of each year.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.62a new)
    Sec. 2-3.62a. Regional services. The State Board of
Education is granted the power to provide the following
regional services, either through a regional administrative
technology center or otherwise:
        (1) Coordinate the delivery of educational resources
    and support services statewide, including assistance in
    complying with State and federal law.
        (2) Issue annual report cards, in conjunction with
    school report cards under Section 10-17a of this Code and
    in cooperation with school districts, for regional offices
    of education, grading without limitation all of the
    following:
            (A) The efficiency and effectiveness of school
        districts served resulting from technical assistance
        and program support.
            (B) The regional delivery of quality services.
            (C) School district satisfaction.
            (D) Delivery of support services that enhance
        student performance.
        (3) Direct services provided to assist schools
    designated as not meeting Illinois learning and federal
    student performance standards.
        (4) Support programs and services to close the
    achievement gap.
        (5) Assist school districts in pooling administrative
    or other services and facilitate cooperation among school
    districts that may be able to achieve economies of scale
    through shared services. The State Board of Education may
    exercise this power in cooperation with regional
    superintendents of schools. The State Board shall not have
    the power to require a school district to enter into a
    shared service agreement.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/3-14.30 new)
    Sec. 3-14.30. Grant applications. To assist and support
school districts with the preparation and submission of grant
applications.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/10-19)  (from Ch. 122, par. 10-19)
    Sec. 10-19. Length of school term - experimental programs.
Each school board shall annually prepare a calendar for the
school term, specifying the opening and closing dates and
providing a minimum term of at least 185 days to insure 176
days of actual pupil attendance, computable under Section
18-8.05, except that for the 1980-1981 school year only 175
days of actual pupil attendance shall be required because of
the closing of schools pursuant to Section 24-2 on January 29,
1981 upon the appointment by the President of that day as a day
of thanksgiving for the freedom of the Americans who had been
held hostage in Iran. Any days allowed by law for teachers'
institute but not used as such or used as parental institutes
as provided in Section 10-22.18d shall increase the minimum
term by the school days not so used. Except as provided in
Section 10-19.1, the board may not extend the school term
beyond such closing date unless that extension of term is
necessary to provide the minimum number of computable days. In
case of such necessary extension school employees shall be paid
for such additional time on the basis of their regular
contracts. A school board may specify a closing date earlier
than that set on the annual calendar when the schools of the
district have provided the minimum number of computable days
under this Section. Nothing in this Section prevents the board
from employing superintendents of schools, principals and
other nonteaching personnel for a period of 12 months, or in
the case of superintendents for a period in accordance with
Section 10-23.8, or prevents the board from employing other
personnel before or after the regular school term with payment
of salary proportionate to that received for comparable work
during the school term.
    A school board may make such changes in its calendar for
the school term as may be required by any changes in the legal
school holidays prescribed in Section 24-2. A school board may
make changes in its calendar for the school term as may be
necessary to reflect the utilization of teachers' institute
days as parental institute days as provided in Section
10-22.18d.
    The calendar for the school term and any changes must be
submitted to and approved by the regional superintendent of
schools before the calendar or changes may take effect.
    With the prior approval of the State Board of Education and
subject to review by the State Board of Education every 3
years, any school board may, by resolution of its board and in
agreement with affected exclusive collective bargaining
agents, establish experimental educational programs, including
but not limited to programs for self-directed learning or
outside of formal class periods, which programs when so
approved shall be considered to comply with the requirements of
this Section as respects numbers of days of actual pupil
attendance and with the other requirements of this Act as
respects courses of instruction.
(Source: P.A. 91-96, eff. 7-9-99.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/10-20.21)  (from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.21)
    Sec. 10-20.21. Contracts.
    (a) To award all contracts for purchase of supplies,
materials or work or contracts with private carriers for
transportation of pupils involving an expenditure in excess of
$10,000 to the lowest responsible bidder, considering
conformity with specifications, terms of delivery, quality and
serviceability, after due advertisement, except the following:
(i) contracts for the services of individuals possessing a high
degree of professional skill where the ability or fitness of
the individual plays an important part; (ii) contracts for the
printing of finance committee reports and departmental
reports; (iii) contracts for the printing or engraving of
bonds, tax warrants and other evidences of indebtedness; (iv)
contracts for the purchase of perishable foods and perishable
beverages; (v) contracts for materials and work which have been
awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after due
advertisement, but due to unforeseen revisions, not the fault
of the contractor for materials and work, must be revised
causing expenditures not in excess of 10% of the contract
price; (vi) contracts for the maintenance or servicing of, or
provision of repair parts for, equipment which are made with
the manufacturer or authorized service agent of that equipment
where the provision of parts, maintenance, or servicing can
best be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service
agent; (vii) purchases and contracts for the use, purchase,
delivery, movement, or installation of data processing
equipment, software, or services and telecommunications and
interconnect equipment, software, and services; (viii)
contracts for duplicating machines and supplies; (ix)
contracts for the purchase of natural gas when the cost is less
than that offered by a public utility; (x) purchases of
equipment previously owned by some entity other than the
district itself; (xi) contracts for repair, maintenance,
remodeling, renovation, or construction, or a single project
involving an expenditure not to exceed $20,000 and not
involving a change or increase in the size, type, or extent of
an existing facility; (xii) contracts for goods or services
procured from another governmental agency; (xiii) contracts
for goods or services which are economically procurable from
only one source, such as for the purchase of magazines, books,
periodicals, pamphlets and reports, and for utility services
such as water, light, heat, telephone or telegraph; and (xiv)
where funds are expended in an emergency and such emergency
expenditure is approved by 3/4 of the members of the board; and
(xv) State master contracts authorized under Article 28A of
this Code.
    All competitive bids for contracts involving an
expenditure in excess of $10,000 must be sealed by the bidder
and must be opened by a member or employee of the school board
at a public bid opening at which the contents of the bids must
be announced. Each bidder must receive at least 3 days' notice
of the time and place of the bid opening. For purposes of this
Section due advertisement includes, but is not limited to, at
least one public notice at least 10 days before the bid date in
a newspaper published in the district, or if no newspaper is
published in the district, in a newspaper of general
circulation in the area of the district. State master contracts
and certified education purchasing contracts, as defined in
Article 28A of this Code, are not subject to the requirements
of this paragraph.
    (b) To require, as a condition of any contract for goods
and services, that persons bidding for and awarded a contract
and all affiliates of the person collect and remit Illinois Use
Tax on all sales of tangible personal property into the State
of Illinois in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois
Use Tax Act regardless of whether the person or affiliate is a
"retailer maintaining a place of business within this State" as
defined in Section 2 of the Use Tax Act. For purposes of this
Section, the term "affiliate" means any entity that (1)
directly, indirectly, or constructively controls another
entity, (2) is directly, indirectly, or constructively
controlled by another entity, or (3) is subject to the control
of a common entity. For purposes of this subsection (b), an
entity controls another entity if it owns, directly or
individually, more than 10% of the voting securities of that
entity. As used in this subsection (b), the term "voting
security" means a security that (1) confers upon the holder the
right to vote for the election of members of the board of
directors or similar governing body of the business or (2) is
convertible into, or entitles the holder to receive upon its
exercise, a security that confers such a right to vote. A
general partnership interest is a voting security.
    To require that bids and contracts include a certification
by the bidder or contractor that the bidder or contractor is
not barred from bidding for or entering into a contract under
this Section and that the bidder or contractor acknowledges
that the school board may declare the contract void if the
certification completed pursuant to this subsection (b) is
false.
    (c) If the State education purchasing entity creates a
master contract as defined in Article 28A of this Code, then
the State education purchasing entity shall notify school
districts of the existence of the master contract.
    (d) In purchasing supplies, materials, equipment, or
services that are not subject to subsection (c) of this
Section, before a school district solicits bids or awards a
contract, the district may review and consider as a bid under
subsection (a) of this Section certified education purchasing
contracts that are already available through the State
education purchasing entity.
(Source: P.A. 93-25, eff. 6-20-03.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-1b)  (from Ch. 122, par. 21-1b)
    Sec. 21-1b. Subject endorsement on certificates. All
certificates initially issued under this Article after June 30,
1986, shall be specifically endorsed by the State Board of
Education for each subject the holder of the certificate is
legally qualified to teach, such endorsements to be made in
accordance with standards promulgated by the State Board of
Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification
Board. The regional superintendent of schools, however, has the
duty, after appropriate training, to accept and review all
transcripts for new initial certificate applications and
ensure that each applicant has met all of the criteria
established by the State Board of Education in consultation
with the State Teacher Certification Board. All certificates
which are issued under this Article prior to July 1, 1986 may,
by application to the State Board of Education, be specifically
endorsed for each subject the holder is legally qualified to
teach. Endorsements issued under this Section shall not apply
to substitute teacher's certificates issued under Section 21-9
of this Code.
    Commencing July 1, 1999, each application for endorsement
of an existing teaching certificate shall be accompanied by a
$30 nonrefundable fee. There is hereby created a Teacher
Certificate Fee Revolving Fund as a special fund within the
State Treasury. The proceeds of each $30 fee shall be paid into
the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund; and the moneys in
that Fund shall be appropriated and used to provide the
technology and other resources necessary for the timely and
efficient processing of certification requests.
(Source: P.A. 91-102, eff. 7-12-99.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-1c)  (from Ch. 122, par. 21-1c)
    Sec. 21-1c. Exclusive certificate authority. Only the
State Board of Education and State Teacher Certification Board,
acting in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Act
and the rules, regulations and standards promulgated
thereunder, shall have the authority to issue or endorse any
certificate required for teaching, supervising or holding
certificated employment in the public schools; and no other
State agency shall have any power or authority (i) to establish
or prescribe any qualifications or other requirements
applicable to the issuance or endorsement of any such
certificate, or (ii) to establish or prescribe any licensure or
equivalent requirement which must be satisfied in order to
teach, supervise or hold certificated employment in the public
schools. The regional superintendent of schools, however, has
the duty, after appropriate training, to accept and review all
transcripts for new initial certificate applications and
ensure that each applicant has met all of the criteria
established by the State Board of Education in consultation
with the State Teacher Certification Board. This Section does
not prohibit the State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Teacher Certification Board, from delegating to
regional superintendents of schools the authority to grant
temporary employment authorizations to teacher applicants
whose qualifications have been confirmed by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board.
(Source: P.A. 91-102, eff. 7-12-99.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-12)  (from Ch. 122, par. 21-12)
    Sec. 21-12. Printing; Seal; Signature; Credentials. All
certificates shall be printed by and bear the signatures of the
chairman and of the secretary of the State Teacher
Certification Board. Each certificate shall show the
integrally printed seal of the State Teacher Certification
Board. All college credentials offered as the basis of a
certificate shall be presented to the secretary of the State
Teacher Certification Board for inspection and approval. The
regional superintendent of schools, however, has the duty,
after appropriate training, to accept and review all
transcripts for new initial certificate applications and
ensure that each applicant has met all of the criteria
established by the State Board of Education in consultation
with the State Teacher Certification Board.
    Commencing July 1, 1999, each application for a certificate
or evaluation of credentials shall be accompanied by an
evaluation fee of $30 payable to the State Superintendent of
Education, which is not refundable, except that no application
or evaluation fee shall be required for a Master Certificate
issued pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 21-2 of this Code.
The proceeds of each $30 fee shall be paid into the Teacher
Certificate Fee Revolving Fund, created under Section 21-1b of
this Code; and the moneys in that Fund shall be appropriated
and used to provide the technology and other resources
necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
certification requests.
    When evaluation verifies the requirements for a valid
certificate, the applicant shall be issued an entitlement card
that may be presented to a regional superintendent of schools
for issuance of a certificate.
    The applicant shall be notified of any deficiencies.
(Source: P.A. 91-102, eff. 7-12-99; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/Art. 28A heading new)
ARTICLE 28A.
Education Purchasing Program.

 
    (105 ILCS 5/28A-5 new)
    Sec. 28A-5. Definitions. In this Article:
    "State Board" means the State Board of Education.
    "Education purchasing contract" means a contract
negotiated by the State Board, a local, State, or federal
governmental entity, or a not-for-profit, for-profit, or
cooperative entity that is certified under Section 28A-15 of
this Code and made available to school districts.
    "Master contract" means a contract designated as a
statewide education master contract under Section 28A-15 of
this Code.
    "Program" means the education purchasing program created
under this Article.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/28A-10 new)
    Sec. 28A-10. Program created. The State Board shall create
an education purchasing program. Under the program, the State
Board shall designate itself or another entity to act as a
State education purchasing entity to form and designate
statewide education master contracts and to certify education
purchasing contracts for key categories identified and defined
by the State Board. The State education purchasing entity shall
provide master contract and education purchasing contract
information and pricing to school districts.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/28A-15 new)
    Sec. 28A-15. Powers of State education purchasing entity.
The State education purchasing entity shall have all of the
following powers:
        (1) To select vendors and form contracts in accordance
    with the State's purchasing laws.
        (2) To designate a contract as a statewide education
    master contract for purposes of subsection (c) of Section
    10-20.21 of this Code.
        (3) To certify an education purchasing contract,
    provided that the contract was entered into according to
    procedures and conditions that conform to applicable State
    purchasing laws, for purposes of subsection (d) of Section
    10-20.21 of this Code.
        (4) To facilitate the inter-district sale or transfer
    of excess inventory or equipment.
        (5) To select and subsidize e-procurement tools to be
    implemented within school districts.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/28A-20 new)
    Sec. 28A-20. Rules. The State Board or other State agency
designated by the State Board may adopt rules to implement the
program.
 
    (105 ILCS 5/34-18)  (from Ch. 122, par. 34-18)
    Sec. 34-18. Powers of the board. The board shall exercise
general supervision and jurisdiction over the public education
and the public school system of the city, and, except as
otherwise provided by this Article, shall have power:
        1. To make suitable provision for the establishment and
    maintenance throughout the year or for such portion thereof
    as it may direct, not less than 9 months, of schools of all
    grades and kinds, including normal schools, high schools,
    night schools, schools for defectives and delinquents,
    parental and truant schools, schools for the blind, the
    deaf and the crippled, schools or classes in manual
    training, constructural and vocational teaching, domestic
    arts and physical culture, vocation and extension schools
    and lecture courses, and all other educational courses and
    facilities, including establishing, equipping, maintaining
    and operating playgrounds and recreational programs, when
    such programs are conducted in, adjacent to, or connected
    with any public school under the general supervision and
    jurisdiction of the board; provided, however, that the
    calendar for the school term and any changes must be
    submitted to and approved by the State Board of Education
    before the calendar or changes may take effect, and
    provided that in allocating funds from year to year for the
    operation of all attendance centers within the district,
    the board shall ensure that supplemental general State aid
    funds are allocated and applied in accordance with Section
    18-8 or 18-8.05. To admit to such schools without charge
    foreign exchange students who are participants in an
    organized exchange student program which is authorized by
    the board. The board shall permit all students to enroll in
    apprenticeship programs in trade schools operated by the
    board, whether those programs are union-sponsored or not.
    No student shall be refused admission into or be excluded
    from any course of instruction offered in the common
    schools by reason of that student's sex. No student shall
    be denied equal access to physical education and
    interscholastic athletic programs supported from school
    district funds or denied participation in comparable
    physical education and athletic programs solely by reason
    of the student's sex. Equal access to programs supported
    from school district funds and comparable programs will be
    defined in rules promulgated by the State Board of
    Education in consultation with the Illinois High School
    Association. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
    Article, neither the board of education nor any local
    school council or other school official shall recommend
    that children with disabilities be placed into regular
    education classrooms unless those children with
    disabilities are provided with supplementary services to
    assist them so that they benefit from the regular classroom
    instruction and are included on the teacher's regular
    education class register;
        2. To furnish lunches to pupils, to make a reasonable
    charge therefor, and to use school funds for the payment of
    such expenses as the board may determine are necessary in
    conducting the school lunch program;
        3. To co-operate with the circuit court;
        4. To make arrangements with the public or quasi-public
    libraries and museums for the use of their facilities by
    teachers and pupils of the public schools;
        5. To employ dentists and prescribe their duties for
    the purpose of treating the pupils in the schools, but
    accepting such treatment shall be optional with parents or
    guardians;
        6. To grant the use of assembly halls and classrooms
    when not otherwise needed, including light, heat, and
    attendants, for free public lectures, concerts, and other
    educational and social interests, free of charge, under
    such provisions and control as the principal of the
    affected attendance center may prescribe;
        7. To apportion the pupils to the several schools;
    provided that no pupil shall be excluded from or segregated
    in any such school on account of his color, race, sex, or
    nationality. The board shall take into consideration the
    prevention of segregation and the elimination of
    separation of children in public schools because of color,
    race, sex, or nationality. Except that children may be
    committed to or attend parental and social adjustment
    schools established and maintained either for boys or girls
    only. All records pertaining to the creation, alteration or
    revision of attendance areas shall be open to the public.
    Nothing herein shall limit the board's authority to
    establish multi-area attendance centers or other student
    assignment systems for desegregation purposes or
    otherwise, and to apportion the pupils to the several
    schools. Furthermore, beginning in school year 1994-95,
    pursuant to a board plan adopted by October 1, 1993, the
    board shall offer, commencing on a phased-in basis, the
    opportunity for families within the school district to
    apply for enrollment of their children in any attendance
    center within the school district which does not have
    selective admission requirements approved by the board.
    The appropriate geographical area in which such open
    enrollment may be exercised shall be determined by the
    board of education. Such children may be admitted to any
    such attendance center on a space available basis after all
    children residing within such attendance center's area
    have been accommodated. If the number of applicants from
    outside the attendance area exceed the space available,
    then successful applicants shall be selected by lottery.
    The board of education's open enrollment plan must include
    provisions that allow low income students to have access to
    transportation needed to exercise school choice. Open
    enrollment shall be in compliance with the provisions of
    the Consent Decree and Desegregation Plan cited in Section
    34-1.01;
        8. To approve programs and policies for providing
    transportation services to students. Nothing herein shall
    be construed to permit or empower the State Board of
    Education to order, mandate, or require busing or other
    transportation of pupils for the purpose of achieving
    racial balance in any school;
        9. Subject to the limitations in this Article, to
    establish and approve system-wide curriculum objectives
    and standards, including graduation standards, which
    reflect the multi-cultural diversity in the city and are
    consistent with State law, provided that for all purposes
    of this Article courses or proficiency in American Sign
    Language shall be deemed to constitute courses or
    proficiency in a foreign language; and to employ principals
    and teachers, appointed as provided in this Article, and
    fix their compensation. The board shall prepare such
    reports related to minimal competency testing as may be
    requested by the State Board of Education, and in addition
    shall monitor and approve special education and bilingual
    education programs and policies within the district to
    assure that appropriate services are provided in
    accordance with applicable State and federal laws to
    children requiring services and education in those areas;
        10. To employ non-teaching personnel or utilize
    volunteer personnel for: (i) non-teaching duties not
    requiring instructional judgment or evaluation of pupils,
    including library duties; and (ii) supervising study
    halls, long distance teaching reception areas used
    incident to instructional programs transmitted by
    electronic media such as computers, video, and audio,
    detention and discipline areas, and school-sponsored
    extracurricular activities. The board may further utilize
    volunteer non-certificated personnel or employ
    non-certificated personnel to assist in the instruction of
    pupils under the immediate supervision of a teacher holding
    a valid certificate, directly engaged in teaching subject
    matter or conducting activities; provided that the teacher
    shall be continuously aware of the non-certificated
    persons' activities and shall be able to control or modify
    them. The general superintendent shall determine
    qualifications of such personnel and shall prescribe rules
    for determining the duties and activities to be assigned to
    such personnel;
        10.5. To utilize volunteer personnel from a regional
    School Crisis Assistance Team (S.C.A.T.), created as part
    of the Safe to Learn Program established pursuant to
    Section 25 of the Illinois Violence Prevention Act of 1995,
    to provide assistance to schools in times of violence or
    other traumatic incidents within a school community by
    providing crisis intervention services to lessen the
    effects of emotional trauma on individuals and the
    community; the School Crisis Assistance Team Steering
    Committee shall determine the qualifications for
    volunteers;
        11. To provide television studio facilities in not to
    exceed one school building and to provide programs for
    educational purposes, provided, however, that the board
    shall not construct, acquire, operate, or maintain a
    television transmitter; to grant the use of its studio
    facilities to a licensed television station located in the
    school district; and to maintain and operate not to exceed
    one school radio transmitting station and provide programs
    for educational purposes;
        12. To offer, if deemed appropriate, outdoor education
    courses, including field trips within the State of
    Illinois, or adjacent states, and to use school educational
    funds for the expense of the said outdoor educational
    programs, whether within the school district or not;
        13. During that period of the calendar year not
    embraced within the regular school term, to provide and
    conduct courses in subject matters normally embraced in the
    program of the schools during the regular school term and
    to give regular school credit for satisfactory completion
    by the student of such courses as may be approved for
    credit by the State Board of Education;
        14. To insure against any loss or liability of the
    board, the former School Board Nominating Commission,
    Local School Councils, the Chicago Schools Academic
    Accountability Council, or the former Subdistrict Councils
    or of any member, officer, agent or employee thereof,
    resulting from alleged violations of civil rights arising
    from incidents occurring on or after September 5, 1967 or
    from the wrongful or negligent act or omission of any such
    person whether occurring within or without the school
    premises, provided the officer, agent or employee was, at
    the time of the alleged violation of civil rights or
    wrongful act or omission, acting within the scope of his
    employment or under direction of the board, the former
    School Board Nominating Commission, the Chicago Schools
    Academic Accountability Council, Local School Councils, or
    the former Subdistrict Councils; and to provide for or
    participate in insurance plans for its officers and
    employees, including but not limited to retirement
    annuities, medical, surgical and hospitalization benefits
    in such types and amounts as may be determined by the
    board; provided, however, that the board shall contract for
    such insurance only with an insurance company authorized to
    do business in this State. Such insurance may include
    provision for employees who rely on treatment by prayer or
    spiritual means alone for healing, in accordance with the
    tenets and practice of a recognized religious
    denomination;
        15. To contract with the corporate authorities of any
    municipality or the county board of any county, as the case
    may be, to provide for the regulation of traffic in parking
    areas of property used for school purposes, in such manner
    as is provided by Section 11-209 of The Illinois Vehicle
    Code, approved September 29, 1969, as amended;
        16. (a) To provide, on an equal basis, access to a high
    school campus and student directory information to the
    official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of
    Illinois and the United States for the purposes of
    informing students of the educational and career
    opportunities available in the military if the board has
    provided such access to persons or groups whose purpose is
    to acquaint students with educational or occupational
    opportunities available to them. The board is not required
    to give greater notice regarding the right of access to
    recruiting representatives than is given to other persons
    and groups. In this paragraph 16, "directory information"
    means a high school student's name, address, and telephone
    number.
        (b) If a student or his or her parent or guardian
    submits a signed, written request to the high school before
    the end of the student's sophomore year (or if the student
    is a transfer student, by another time set by the high
    school) that indicates that the student or his or her
    parent or guardian does not want the student's directory
    information to be provided to official recruiting
    representatives under subsection (a) of this Section, the
    high school may not provide access to the student's
    directory information to these recruiting representatives.
    The high school shall notify its students and their parents
    or guardians of the provisions of this subsection (b).
        (c) A high school may require official recruiting
    representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the
    United States to pay a fee for copying and mailing a
    student's directory information in an amount that is not
    more than the actual costs incurred by the high school.
        (d) Information received by an official recruiting
    representative under this Section may be used only to
    provide information to students concerning educational and
    career opportunities available in the military and may not
    be released to a person who is not involved in recruiting
    students for the armed forces of Illinois or the United
    States;
        17. (a) To sell or market any computer program
    developed by an employee of the school district, provided
    that such employee developed the computer program as a
    direct result of his or her duties with the school district
    or through the utilization of the school district resources
    or facilities. The employee who developed the computer
    program shall be entitled to share in the proceeds of such
    sale or marketing of the computer program. The distribution
    of such proceeds between the employee and the school
    district shall be as agreed upon by the employee and the
    school district, except that neither the employee nor the
    school district may receive more than 90% of such proceeds.
    The negotiation for an employee who is represented by an
    exclusive bargaining representative may be conducted by
    such bargaining representative at the employee's request.
        (b) For the purpose of this paragraph 17:
            (1) "Computer" means an internally programmed,
        general purpose digital device capable of
        automatically accepting data, processing data and
        supplying the results of the operation.
            (2) "Computer program" means a series of coded
        instructions or statements in a form acceptable to a
        computer, which causes the computer to process data in
        order to achieve a certain result.
            (3) "Proceeds" means profits derived from
        marketing or sale of a product after deducting the
        expenses of developing and marketing such product;
        18. To delegate to the general superintendent of
    schools, by resolution, the authority to approve contracts
    and expenditures in amounts of $10,000 or less;
        19. Upon the written request of an employee, to
    withhold from the compensation of that employee any dues,
    payments or contributions payable by such employee to any
    labor organization as defined in the Illinois Educational
    Labor Relations Act. Under such arrangement, an amount
    shall be withheld from each regular payroll period which is
    equal to the pro rata share of the annual dues plus any
    payments or contributions, and the board shall transmit
    such withholdings to the specified labor organization
    within 10 working days from the time of the withholding;
        19a. Upon receipt of notice from the comptroller of a
    municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county
    with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County
    Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the
    Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago
    Transit Authority, or a housing authority of a municipality
    with a population of 500,000 or more that a debt is due and
    owing the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest
    Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the
    Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago
    Transit Authority, or the housing authority by an employee
    of the Chicago Board of Education, to withhold, from the
    compensation of that employee, the amount of the debt that
    is due and owing and pay the amount withheld to the
    municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve
    District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan
    Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority,
    or the housing authority; provided, however, that the
    amount deducted from any one salary or wage payment shall
    not exceed 25% of the net amount of the payment. Before the
    Board deducts any amount from any salary or wage of an
    employee under this paragraph, the municipality, the
    county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the
    Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation
    District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing
    authority shall certify that (i) the employee has been
    afforded an opportunity for a hearing to dispute the debt
    that is due and owing the municipality, the county, the
    Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park
    District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the
    Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority and
    (ii) the employee has received notice of a wage deduction
    order and has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to
    object to the order. For purposes of this paragraph, "net
    amount" means that part of the salary or wage payment
    remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by
    law to be deducted and "debt due and owing" means (i) a
    specified sum of money owed to the municipality, the
    county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the
    Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation
    District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing
    authority for services, work, or goods, after the period
    granted for payment has expired, or (ii) a specified sum of
    money owed to the municipality, the county, the Cook County
    Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the
    Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago
    Transit Authority, or the housing authority pursuant to a
    court order or order of an administrative hearing officer
    after the exhaustion of, or the failure to exhaust,
    judicial review;
        20. The board is encouraged to employ a sufficient
    number of certified school counselors to maintain a
    student/counselor ratio of 250 to 1 by July 1, 1990. Each
    counselor shall spend at least 75% of his work time in
    direct contact with students and shall maintain a record of
    such time;
        21. To make available to students vocational and career
    counseling and to establish 5 special career counseling
    days for students and parents. On these days
    representatives of local businesses and industries shall
    be invited to the school campus and shall inform students
    of career opportunities available to them in the various
    businesses and industries. Special consideration shall be
    given to counseling minority students as to career
    opportunities available to them in various fields. For the
    purposes of this paragraph, minority student means a person
    who is:
            (a) Black (a person having origins in any of the
        black racial groups in Africa);
            (b) Hispanic (a person of Spanish or Portuguese
        culture with origins in Mexico, South or Central
        America, or the Caribbean islands, regardless of
        race);
            (c) Asian American (a person having origins in any
        of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast
        Asia, the Indian Subcontinent or the Pacific Islands);
        or
            (d) American Indian or Alaskan Native (a person
        having origins in any of the original peoples of North
        America).
        Counseling days shall not be in lieu of regular school
    days;
        22. To report to the State Board of Education the
    annual student dropout rate and number of students who
    graduate from, transfer from or otherwise leave bilingual
    programs;
        23. Except as otherwise provided in the Abused and
    Neglected Child Reporting Act or other applicable State or
    federal law, to permit school officials to withhold, from
    any person, information on the whereabouts of any child
    removed from school premises when the child has been taken
    into protective custody as a victim of suspected child
    abuse. School officials shall direct such person to the
    Department of Children and Family Services, or to the local
    law enforcement agency if appropriate;
        24. To develop a policy, based on the current state of
    existing school facilities, projected enrollment and
    efficient utilization of available resources, for capital
    improvement of schools and school buildings within the
    district, addressing in that policy both the relative
    priority for major repairs, renovations and additions to
    school facilities, and the advisability or necessity of
    building new school facilities or closing existing schools
    to meet current or projected demographic patterns within
    the district;
        25. To make available to the students in every high
    school attendance center the ability to take all courses
    necessary to comply with the Board of Higher Education's
    college entrance criteria effective in 1993;
        26. To encourage mid-career changes into the teaching
    profession, whereby qualified professionals become
    certified teachers, by allowing credit for professional
    employment in related fields when determining point of
    entry on teacher pay scale;
        27. To provide or contract out training programs for
    administrative personnel and principals with revised or
    expanded duties pursuant to this Act in order to assure
    they have the knowledge and skills to perform their duties;
        28. To establish a fund for the prioritized special
    needs programs, and to allocate such funds and other lump
    sum amounts to each attendance center in a manner
    consistent with the provisions of part 4 of Section 34-2.3.
    Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require any
    additional appropriations of State funds for this purpose;
        29. (Blank);
        30. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or
    any other law to the contrary, to contract with third
    parties for services otherwise performed by employees,
    including those in a bargaining unit, and to layoff those
    employees upon 14 days written notice to the affected
    employees. Those contracts may be for a period not to
    exceed 5 years and may be awarded on a system-wide basis;
        31. To promulgate rules establishing procedures
    governing the layoff or reduction in force of employees and
    the recall of such employees, including, but not limited
    to, criteria for such layoffs, reductions in force or
    recall rights of such employees and the weight to be given
    to any particular criterion. Such criteria shall take into
    account factors including, but not be limited to,
    qualifications, certifications, experience, performance
    ratings or evaluations, and any other factors relating to
    an employee's job performance;
        32. To develop a policy to prevent nepotism in the
    hiring of personnel or the selection of contractors;
        33. To enter into a partnership agreement, as required
    by Section 34-3.5 of this Code, and, notwithstanding any
    other provision of law to the contrary, to promulgate
    policies, enter into contracts, and take any other action
    necessary to accomplish the objectives and implement the
    requirements of that agreement; and
        34. To establish a Labor Management Council to the
    board comprised of representatives of the board, the chief
    executive officer, and those labor organizations that are
    the exclusive representatives of employees of the board and
    to promulgate policies and procedures for the operation of
    the Council.
    The specifications of the powers herein granted are not to
be construed as exclusive but the board shall also exercise all
other powers that they may be requisite or proper for the
maintenance and the development of a public school system, not
inconsistent with the other provisions of this Article or
provisions of this Code which apply to all school districts.
    In addition to the powers herein granted and authorized to
be exercised by the board, it shall be the duty of the board to
review or to direct independent reviews of special education
expenditures and services. The board shall file a report of
such review with the General Assembly on or before May 1, 1990.
(Source: P.A. 92-109, eff. 7-20-01; 92-527, eff. 6-1-02;
92-724, eff. 7-25-02; 93-3, eff. 4-16-03.)
 
    Section 95. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
Section 8.28 as follows:
 
    (30 ILCS 805/8.28 new)
    Sec. 8.28. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8
of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the
implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of
the 93rd General Assembly.
 
    Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are
severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.