Senate Sponsors: LIGHTFORD-TROTTER-SHAW. House Sponsors: LANG Short description: SCH CD-DOWNST SCH FINANCE AUTH Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to survey school districts to determine their needs related to the adoption and implementation of character education programs. Requires the Board to report on the findings of the survey to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2002. Effective immediately. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds an introductory clause. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code to add a Section concerning character education. Contains only a caption. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.131 new Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/18-50.1 new 35 ILCS 200/18-92 new 35 ILCS 200/18-101.47 new 105 ILCS 5/1B-6 from Ch. 122, par. 1B-6 105 ILCS 5/1B-8 from Ch. 122, par. 1B-8 105 ILCS 5/Art. 1F heading new 105 ILCS 5/1F-1 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-5 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-10 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-15 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-20 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-25 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-30 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-35 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-40 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-45 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-50 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-55 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-60 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-62 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-115 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-120 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-130 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-135 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-140 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-150 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-155 new 105 ILCS 5/1F-160 new 105 ILCS 5/17-11.2 new Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code to allow for the establishment of a downstate School Finance Authority for an elementary school district to exercise financial control over the district and to furnish financial assistance. Provides that upon approval by the State Board of Education, the Financial Oversight Panel for the district is abolished. Provides for appointment of Authority members by the State Superintendent of Education. Includes provisions concerning appointing a chief educational officer; the power to negotiate collective bargaining agreements; the power to levy taxes; reporting to the Governor, General Assembly, and State Superintendent; auditing the Authority; the property of the Authority being exempt from taxation; and abolition of the Authority. Amends the Property Tax Code to provide that the Truth in Taxation Law and the Cook County Truth in Taxation Law are subject to the Downstate School Finance Authority for Elementary Districts Law. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3. With respect to the School Finance Authority, provides that borrowing from sources other than the State shall not be considered as part of the calculation of the district's debt for purposes of the statutory debt limitation and provides that tax anticipation warrants are considered borrowing from sources other than the State. Makes a technical change. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 92-0855 Last action date: DEC-06-2002 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 3 SENATE - 1 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status