Bill Text: IL HJR0036 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Resolves that a Task Force on Charter School Funding be created to examine charter school funding issues.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2013-05-31 - Adopted Both Houses [HJR0036 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-HJR0036-Introduced.html

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Budgeting for Results Commission has stated
goals of increasing postsecondary graduation among Illinoisans
to 60% by 2025 and minimizing achievement gaps between
different types of students; and
WHEREAS, In its legislative declaration, the Charter
Schools Law states that the purpose for charter schools in this
State is to improve pupil learning; increase learning
opportunities for all children, with special emphasis on
expanding options for at-risk pupils; encourage innovation,
parental engagement, community involvement, and expanded
public school options; create new professional opportunities
for teachers; and hold charter schools accountable; and
WHEREAS, Charter schools serve 13% of Chicago's student
population and a growing number of students in downstate and
suburban communities; 91% of the students enrolled in charter
schools across this State come from low-income families and 95%
are minorities, making charter schools a key component to help
close the achievement gaps that persist; and
WHEREAS, The 2 fundamental pillars of charter schools are
autonomy and accountability, each of which must be enforced
through high-quality authorizing; therefore, be it

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RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that a Task Force on Charter School
Funding be created to examine charter school funding issues,
including the following:
(1) to compile a comparative analysis of charter school
funding practices across the United States;
(2) to examine the current funding provisions in the
Charter Schools Law for the purpose of ensuring funding
equity, specifically the provision allowing school
districts to provide charter schools funding in the range
of 75% to 125% of the district's per capita tuition charge;
and
(3) to review the effects of State-authorized charter
schools on the students served by the charter, the students
in the home school district, and the home school district's
budget; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the
following members, who shall serve without compensation:
(1) one member appointed by the President of the
Senate;
(2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate;
(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of

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Representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives;
(5) the State Superintendent of Education or his or her
designee;
(6) the chairperson of the State Charter School
Commission or his or her designee;
(7) the chief executive officer of a school district in
a city having a population exceeding 500,000 or his or her
designee;
(8) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of an organization representing teachers in
a school district in a city having a population exceeding
500,000;
(9) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of the largest statewide organization
representing teachers;
(10) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of the second-largest statewide
organization representing teachers;
(11) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of a statewide organization representing
charter schools in this State;
(12) one member appointed by the Governor who is
familiar with virtual charter schools, upon recommendation
of an organization representing downstate and suburban

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school boards;
(13) a principal of a currently operating,
high-performing, charter school in this State, appointed
by the State Superintendent of Education;
(14) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of a statewide education-policy
organization that supports education-policy priorities
designed to provide a world-class education to all Illinois
youth;
(15) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of the largest charter school in this State;
(16) one member appointed by the Governor who is a
representative of a community organization that operates
charter schools, upon recommendation of that community
organization;
(17) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of an organization representing the
business community in this State;
(18) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of an education advocacy group that
organizes parents and supports high-quality, public school
options, including high-quality, public charter schools;
(19) one member appointed by the Governor representing
a currently operating, Commission-approved charter school
in this State, upon recommendation of the leadership of a
Commission-approved charter school;

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(20) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of a statewide 501(c)3 organization that
supports school choice, with a focus on innovation in
education and next-generation learning models;
(21) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of a school district outside the City of
Chicago that has a State-approved charter school;
(22) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of a school district outside the City of
Chicago that has a locally approved charter school;
(23) one member appointed by the Governor, upon
recommendation of a union representing teachers in charter
schools; and
(24) one member appointed by the Governor who is a
nationally recognized expert on charter schools and
charter school funding issues; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall elect a
chairperson from among their membership and that the State
Charter School Commission shall provide administrative
support; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall be
appointed within 30 days after the adoption of this resolution
and shall begin meeting no later than 30 days after the
appointments are finalized; in the event that the appointments

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by the Governor are not made within 30 days after the adoption
of this resolution, the State Superintendent of Education shall
make such appointments within 15 days after the appointment
deadline; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall issue a report making
recommendations on any changes to State laws with regard to
charter school funding on or before January 15, 2014 and that
the task force shall be dissolved upon issuance of this report;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the Governor, the State Superintendent of
Education, the State Charter School Commission, and the Chief
Executive Officer of City of Chicago School District 299.