HB2549eng 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2549 Engrossed LRB101 09417 AXK 54515 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.891 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.891 new)

Sec. 5.891. The Educational Opportunity and Development Fund.

Section 10. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.176 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.176 new)

Sec. 2-3.176. Roundtable on Educational Opportunity and Development.

(a) There is created the Roundtable on Educational Opportunity and Development, consisting of all of the following members:

(1) A representative from a private organization working to develop economic opportunities for individuals living in the City of Chicago appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(2) A representative from a private organization working to develop economic opportunities for this State appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(3) Three representatives who are from private businesses with over 50 employees and who have administrative roles in those businesses appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(4) An individual from an organization that represents superintendents throughout this State appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(5) A State representative appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(6) A State representative appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(7) A State senator appointed by the President of the Senate.

(8) A State senator appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(9) The chairperson of the board of education of a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code or his or her designee.

(10) A representative who operates as an administrative staffer for a board of education of a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(11) An individual from an organization that represents teachers in a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(12) An individual from an organization that represents teachers throughout this State appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

Initial appointees shall serve staggered terms of one year, 2 years, and 3 years as determined by lot. Five of the initial appointees shall serve one-year terms, 5 of the initial appointees shall serve 2-year terms, and the remaining appointees shall serve 3-year terms. After the initial appointments, each successor shall serve for a 3-year term. Appointed members shall serve until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Members shall annually select a chairperson from among their number by majority vote. Members shall receive no compensation in the performance of their duties.

The Roundtable shall meet initially at the call of the State Superintendent of Education, shall elect a chairperson at its initial meeting, and shall thereafter meet at the call of the chairperson.

(b) The Roundtable shall study ways to expand educational opportunities and develop sources of private funding for students in primary and secondary education in the following areas:

(1) developing a business ethics curriculum;

(2) promoting and funding the arts;

(2.5) developing a before-school, in-school, or after-school drama therapy program that is designed for vulnerable youth with histories of exposure to familial and community violence, school bullying, intolerance or hate crimes, maltreatment or neglect, disrupted caregiving, or any other life adversities and that focuses on the core components of complex trauma intervention, including, but not limited to, a student's safety, self-regulation, healthy attachments, discovery and development of his or her identity, self-worth, esteem, and competency;

(2.7) developing a school model for students in kindergarten through grade 6 that integrates an identity-affirming pedagogy with a rigorous, intentional curriculum that utilizes a no-nonsense nurturing framework and prioritizes an arts education;

(3) establishing and funding global travel programs; and

(4) funding trips to museums.

The Roundtable shall study ways to secure private donations and public funding in order to help expand opportunities for students and implement Roundtable recommendations. Funding for programs recommended by the Roundtable must prioritize low-income students, as defined by the federal census. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Roundtable, shall provide administrative support to all school districts and their students wishing to utilize these opportunities.

(c) The State Board of Education and City of Chicago School District 299 may provide administrative support to the Roundtable.

(d) The Educational Opportunity and Development Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall accept private donations and public funding. All money in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of Education for the purposes of implementing the priorities and recommendations of the Roundtable.

(e) The Roundtable shall report its recommendations to the General Assembly on or before July 1, 2020 and every July 1 thereafter.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.