DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Creates the Department of Education Act and amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the School Code, the Board of Higher Education Act, and the Public Community College Act. Creates the Department of Education, with a Secretary of Education as its head. Provides that, in order to create continuity between all levels of education, the Department shall oversee the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Community College Board and coordinate and streamline the functions of these boards. Requires the Department to create an Elementary and Secondary Education Division and a Vocational Education Division within the Department. Requires the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Community College Board to report directly to the Department, to comply with all requests from the Department, and to exercise those powers and perform those duties assigned to whichever board by the Department, with the Elementary and Secondary Education Division being the appropriate authority with respect to matters regarding elementary and secondary education and the Vocational Education Division being the appropriate authority with respect to matters regarding vocational education.