105 ILCS 5/34-21.1

(105 ILCS 5/34-21.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-21.1)

Sec. 34-21.1. Additional powers. In addition to other powers and authority now possessed by it, the board shall have power:

(1) To lease from any public building commission created pursuant to the provisions of the Public Building Commission Act, approved July 5, 1955, as heretofore or hereafter amended or from any individuals, partnerships or corporations, any real or personal property for the purpose of securing space for its school purposes or office or other space for its administrative functions for a period of time not exceeding 40 years.

(2) To pay for the use of this leased property in accordance with the terms of the lease and with the provisions of the Public Building Commission Act, approved July 5, 1955, as heretofore or hereafter amended.

(3) Such lease may be entered into without making a previous appropriation for the expense thereby incurred; provided, however, that if the board undertakes to pay all or any part of the costs of operating and maintaining the property of a public building commission as authorized in subparagraph (4) of this Section, such expenses of operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual budget of such board annually during the term of such undertaking.

(4) In addition, the board may undertake, either in the lease with a public building commission or by separate agreement or contract with a public building commission, to pay all or any part of the costs of maintaining and operating the property of a public building commission for any period of time not exceeding 40 years.

(5) To enter into agreements, including lease and lease purchase agreements having a term not longer than 40 years from the date on which such agreements are entered into, with private sector individuals, partnerships, or corporations for the construction of school buildings, school administrative offices, site development, and school support facilities. The board shall maintain exclusive possession of all schools, school administrative offices, and school facilities which it is occupying or acquiring pursuant to any such lease or lease purchase agreement, and in addition shall have and exercise complete control over the education program conducted at such schools, offices and facilities. The board's contribution under any such agreement shall be limited to the use of the real estate and existing improvements on a rental basis which shall be exempt from any form of leasehold tax or assessment, but the interests of the board may be subordinated to the interests of a mortgage holder or holders acquired as security for additional improvements made on the property.

(6) To make payments on a lease or lease purchase agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (5) of this Section with an individual, partnership, or a corporation for school buildings, school administrative offices, and school support facilities constructed by such individual, partnership, or corporation.

(7) To purchase the interests of an individual, partnership, or corporation pursuant to any lease or lease purchase agreement entered into by the board pursuant to subparagraph (5) of this Section, and to assume or retire any outstanding debt or obligation relating to such lease or lease purchase agreement for any school building, school administrative office, or school support facility.

(8) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (9) of this Section, to enter into agreements, including lease and lease purchase agreements, having a term not longer than 40 years from the date on which such agreements are entered into for the provision of school buildings and related property and facilities for an agricultural science school. The enrollment in such school shall be limited to 720 students, and no less than 50% of the total number of enrollment positions in each incoming class must be reserved for students who live within proximity to the school. "Proximity to the school" means all areas within the existing city limits of Chicago located south of 87th Street (8700 South) and west of Wood Street (1800 West). In addition to the other authorizations in this paragraph (8), a maximum of 80 additional students may be enrolled in the agricultural science school's significantly modified curriculum for diverse learners, commonly known as the special education cluster program. Under such agreements the board shall have exclusive possession of all such school buildings and related property and facilities which it is occupying or acquiring pursuant to any such agreements, and in addition shall have and exercise complete control over the educational program conducted at such school. Under such agreements the board also may lease to another party to such agreement real estate and existing improvements which are appropriate and available for use as part of the necessary school buildings and related property and facilities for an agricultural science school. Any interest created by such a lease shall be exempt from any form of leasehold tax or assessment, and the interests of the board as owner or lessor of property covered by such a lease may be subordinated to the interests of a mortgage holder or holders acquired as security for additional improvements made on the property. In addition, but subject to the provisions of subparagraph (9) of this Section, the board is authorized: (i) to pay for the use of school buildings and related property and facilities for an agricultural science school as provided for in an agreement entered into pursuant to this subparagraph (8) and to enter into any such agreement without making a previous appropriation for the expense thereby incurred; and (ii) to enter into agreements to purchase any ownership interests in any school buildings and related property and facilities subject to any agreement entered into by the board pursuant to this subparagraph (8) and to assume or retire any outstanding debt or obligation relating to such school buildings and related property and facilities.

(9) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (8) of this Section or any other law, the board shall not at any time on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 enter into any new lease or lease purchase agreement, or amend or modify any existing lease, lease purchase or other agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (8), covering all or any part of the property or facilities, consisting of 78.85 acres more or less, heretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the board for an agricultural science school; nor shall the board enter into any agreement on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise convey all or any part of the property so purchased or acquired, nor any of the school buildings or related facilities thereon, but the same shall be held, used, occupied and maintained by the board solely for the purpose of conducting and operating an agricultural science school. The board shall not, on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, enter into any contracts or agreements for the construction, alteration or modification of any new or existing school buildings or related facilities or structural improvements on any part of the 78.85 acres purchased or otherwise acquired by the board for agricultural science school purposes, excepting only those contracts or agreements that are entered into by the board for the construction, alteration or modification of such school buildings, related facilities or structural improvements that on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 are either located upon, under construction upon or scheduled under existing plans and specifications to be constructed upon a parcel of land, consisting of 17.45 acres more or less and measuring approximately 880 feet along its northerly and southerly boundaries and 864 feet along its easterly and westerly boundaries, located in the northeast part of the 78.85 acres. Nothing in this subparagraph (9) shall be deemed or construed to alter, modify, impair or otherwise affect the terms and provisions of, nor the rights and obligations of the parties under any agreement or contract made and entered into by the board prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act (i) for the acquisition, lease or lease purchase of, or for the construction, alteration or modification of any school buildings, related facilities or structural improvements upon all or any part of the 78.85 acres purchased or acquired by the board for agricultural science school purposes, or (ii) for the lease by the board of an irregularly shaped parcel, consisting of 23.19 acres more or less, of that 78.85 acres for park board purposes.

(Source: P.A. 100-399, eff. 1-1-18.)