Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Establishes a State Charter School Commission as an independent State agency with statewide chartering jurisdiction and authority, consisting of 9 members appointed by the State Board of Education on the recommendation of a slate of candidates proposed by the Governor. Provides that the Commission is responsible for authorizing high-quality charter schools throughout this State. Allows the Commission to charge a charter school that it authorizes a fee, not to exceed 3% of the revenue provided to the school, to cover the cost of undertaking the ongoing administrative responsibilities of the eligible chartering authority with respect to the school. Provides that any charter school authorized by the State Board prior to the amendatory Act shall have its authorization transferred immediately to the Commission, which shall then become the school's authorizer. Provides that any charter school authorized by a school board may seek approval from the Commission during its current term only with the approval of the school board, and provides that at the end of its charter term, a charter school authorized by a school board must reapply to that board before it may apply for authorization to the Commission. Makes additional changes concerning the Commission, and makes changes concerning authorizers, immunity, the submission of information, and reporting. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Human Rights for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, as follows: General Funds $9,029,500; Other State Funds $700,000; Federal Funds $3,908,200; Total $13,637,700.
Congratulates Isabel Tellez, Principal at Kelvyn Park High School in Chicago, on her many years of hard work and dedication to the education of young people.
Congratulates the members of the Child's Play Touring Theatre on the occasion of the organization's 33rd anniversary.
Congratulates former Illinois State Senator Edward Nedza on his Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Deletes the definition of "high level nuclear waste". Effective immediately.
Creates the Community Health Center Construction Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall establish the Community Health Center Construction Grant Program and may make grants to eligible community providers subject to appropriations. Provides that the grants shall be for the purpose of constructing or renovating new community health center sites, renovating existing community health center sites, and purchasing equipment to provide primary health care services to certain populations or areas. Contains provisions concerning grants, eligibility for grants, use of grant moneys, and reporting. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall require that all vehicles purchased or leased on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act for use by the municipality have a Vehicle Identification Number that begins with the number one, the number 4, or the number 5. Limits home rule powers. Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall require that all vehicles purchased or leased on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that are used for the practice driving part of a driver education course offered by the school district have a Vehicle Identification Number that begins with the number one, the number 4, or the number 5. Provides for the waiver of the Vehicle Identification Number requirements imposed under this Section. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Illinois School Choice Program, which shall be administered by the State Board of Education. Provides that any State-certified, non-public school wishing to enroll eligible students and be reimbursed for vouchers available under specified provisions shall notify the State Board of Education in writing of its intent. Specifies the eligibility for reimbursement of vouchers. Specifies reporting requirements for non-public schools that are participating in the Program. Contains provisions concerning the calculation of vouchers and how they may be used by parents. Contains provisions concerning the verification of the household income of participating parents. Provides that the State Board of Education may adopt rules for administration of the Program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the School Choice Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and provides that permitted fees collected by the State Board of Education shall be deposited into the Fund and shall be used by the State Board of Education to cover the administrative costs of the Program. Effective immediately.