SCH CD-LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that each public institution of higher education shall study and issue a report on the cost-saving methods and practices utilized by the public institution for improving students' timely access to required course materials and the affordability of required course materials. Sets forth the required areas of study that must be included in the report. Provides that the report from each public institution must be submitted to the Board of Higher Education or Illinois Community College Board no later than August 1, 2022. Provides that no later than February 1, 2023, the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall submit a joint report to the Governor and General Assembly that summarizes the findings from the reports submitted by public institutions. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to post each institution's report and the joint report on their respective websites. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 205/9.40 new Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the College Course Materials Affordability and Equitable Access Collaborative Study Act. Provides that the College Course Materials Affordability and Equitable Access Task Force is created within the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Sets forth the membership of the task force. Provides that the duties of the task force are to (i) conduct a collaborative college course materials affordability and equitable access study, (ii) examine the cost-saving methods and practices utilized by public and private institutions of higher learning in this State and throughout the United States for improving students' equitable first-day-of-class access to required course materials and conduct an affordability comparison of providing students' course materials, including digital learning tools, and (iii) submit a report of its findings to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Contains provisions concerning meetings, expenses, Commission assistance, collaboration, and reporting. Dissolves the task force on March 31, 2024, and repeals the Act on March 31, 2025. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/1-2 from Ch. 122, par. 1-2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/1-2 from Ch. 122, par. 1-2 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/34-2.1 from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.1 105 ILCS 5/34-2.2 from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.2 105 ILCS 5/34-2.3 from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.3 105 ILCS 5/34-2.4b from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.4b 105 ILCS 5/34-8.3 from Ch. 122, par. 34-8.3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends provisions related to local school councils in the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with the first local school council election that occurs after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a local school council shall be established for each attendance center within the school district, including public small schools within the district. Provides that one full-time student member shall be appointed in each attendance center enrolling students in 7th and 8th grade. In the case of a tie vote in the election of candidates to serve on a local school council, requires the local school council to determine the winner by lottery (rather than lot). Requires the Chicago Board of Education to make public the vetting process of staff member candidates. Allows any staff member seeking candidacy to inquire if the Board may deny the staff member's appointment; requires an inquiry to be made in writing in accordance with Board procedure. Provides for binding elections (rather than non-binding, advisory polls) for the appointment of student members to local school councils. Makes other changes concerning the appointment of teacher and non-teacher staff members and student members to a local school council. Makes changes to provisions concerning vacancies, the calling of special meetings, quorums, the vote to transfer allocations within funds, and limitations upon applicability. Specifies that a local school council retains the right to reject or modify any school improvement plan or implementation thereof, as long as the rejection or modification of the school improvement plan or implementation thereof is consistent with State and federal requirements. Makes changes concerning schools placed on probation, including providing for the restoration of certain powers to the local school councils of schools that have been on probation for 5 years or more. Requires the Board to deliver certain criteria to local school councils by October 31 of each year. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.