Senate Sponsors: DILLARD-MADIGAN,L-OBAMA. House Sponsors: HOWARD-ERWIN-DAVIS,MONIQUE-GARRETT-FOWLER Short description: H ED-INFO TECHNOLOGY GRANTS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Establishes an information technology grant program, administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to provide need-based grants for retraining in information technology fields (to be named Arthur F. Quern Technology Grants) to qualified students pursuing additional certification or a degree in an information technology field. Provides that the grant is an award of up to $2,500 applicable towards tuition and fees and other educational costs. Effective July 1, 2000. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3. (Tabled April 11, 2000) Adds reference to: New Act Creates the Southwestern Illinois Teacher's Academy for Math, Science, and Technology Act, which shall be an institution located at the former Parks College campus site in Cahokia, Illinois. Provides that the Academy shall be a State agency, funded by State appropria- tions, private contributions, and endowments. Provides that the Academy shall be governed by a Board of Trustees, and lists the powers of the Board. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 4, 5 (Board of Higher Education) Information Technology Scholarships would cost an estimated $2,600,000 in FY 2001. The Eliminate the Digital Divide program costs are subject to appropriation, with the Community Technol- ogy Center Grants costing $2,000,000 and the Statewide Communi- ty Technology Center Network costing $100,000. The estimate for the Southwestern Illinois Teachers' Academy is not available. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 4. Adds reference to: New Act 105 ILCS 5/2-3.131 new 105 ILCS 5/2-3.132 new 110 ILCS 805/2-20 new 110 ILCS 947/35.5 new Creates the Eliminate the Digital Divide Act. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall administer the Digital Divide Bridge Grant Program under which the Board shall make grants to community-based organizations for the purchase of telecommunications services, other special services, computer equipment, software, and maintenance for computer equipment and software, where the purchases are directly related to educational and workforce preparation programs. Provides that the Board shall establish and administer the Statewide Community Technology Center Network to assist in local and regional planning. Provides that the Board shall administer the Community Technology Center Grant Program under which the Board shall make grants for planning, establishment, administration, and expansion of Community Technology Centers. Provides that the purposes of the grants shall include, but not be limited to, volunteer recruitment and management, infrastructure, and related goods and services for Community Technology Centers. Contains provisions regarding grant eligibility, qualifications, limitations, applications, matching funds, administration, and other matters. Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to create a program to refurbish and upgrade donated computers as high quality computers for use by children in schools, park district programs, and community centers. Provides that the State Board of Education shall create and administer an e-training/technology program to train elementary and high school teachers in specified school districts using 2 courses, Introduction to Computers and Introduction to the Internet. Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall create and administer a pilot program in 3 community colleges under which an introductory course in computers and the Internet shall be offered and students who complete the course shall be eligible to purchase computer hardware and software at a discounted, affordable price. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award grants to Monetary Award Program grant recipients under a program to increase the availability of computers to financially needy students through State assistance, and repeals those provisions on July 1, 2002. The provisions added by this amendment are effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 5. Creates the Southwestern Illinois Teacher's Academy for Math, Science, and Technology Act, which shall be an institution located at the former Parks College campus site in Cahokia, Illinois. Provides that the Academy shall be a State agency, funded by State appropria- tions, private contributions, and endowments. Provides that the Academy shall be governed by a Board of Trustees, and lists the powers of the Board. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 4 (Ill. Community College System) The total implementation cost for ICCB is $5.85 million ($1.1 million for the Digital Divide Bridge Grant Program, $2.15 million for the Community Technology Center Grant Program, and $2.6 million for the E-Training and Technology Program). Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 3 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status