Bill Text: IL SB0100 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Chaptered

---

Bill Title: Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 27-3)

Status: (Passed) 2015-08-24 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 99-0456 [SB0100 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SB0100-Chaptered.html

---

Public Act 099-0456
SB0100 Enrolled LRB099 04290 NHT 24315 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
10-20.14, 10-22.6, 27A-5, and 34-19 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/10-20.14) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.14)
Sec. 10-20.14. Student discipline policies; Parent-teacher
advisory committee.
(a) To establish and maintain a parent-teacher advisory
committee to develop with the school board or governing body of
a charter school policy guidelines on pupil discipline,
including school searches and bullying prevention as set forth
in Section 27-23.7 of this Code. School authorities shall , to
furnish a copy of the policy to the parents or guardian of each
pupil within 15 days after the beginning of the school year, or
within 15 days after starting classes for a pupil who transfers
into the district during the school year, and the school board
or governing body of a charter school shall to require that a
each school inform informs its pupils of the contents of the
its policy. School boards and the governing bodies of charter
schools, along with the parent-teacher advisory committee,
must are encouraged to annually review their pupil discipline
policies, the implementation of those policies, and any other

factors related to the safety of their schools, pupils, and
staff.
(a-5) On or before September 15, 2016, each elementary and
secondary school and charter school shall, at a minimum, adopt
pupil discipline policies that fulfill the requirements set
forth in this Section, subsections (a) and (b) of Section
10-22.6 of this Code, Section 34-19 of this Code if applicable,
and federal and State laws that provide special requirements
for the discipline of students with disabilities.
(b) The parent-teacher advisory committee in cooperation
with local law enforcement agencies shall develop, with the
school board, policy guideline procedures to establish and
maintain a reciprocal reporting system between the school
district and local law enforcement agencies regarding criminal
offenses committed by students. School districts are
encouraged to create memoranda of understanding with local law
enforcement agencies that clearly define law enforcement's
role in schools, in accordance with Section 10-22.6 of this
Code.
(c) The parent-teacher advisory committee, in cooperation
with school bus personnel, shall develop, with the school
board, policy guideline procedures to establish and maintain
school bus safety procedures. These procedures shall be
incorporated into the district's pupil discipline policy.
(d) The school board, in consultation with the
parent-teacher advisory committee and other community-based

organizations, must include provisions in the student
discipline policy to address students who have demonstrated
behaviors that put them at risk for aggressive behavior,
including without limitation bullying, as defined in the
policy. These provisions must include procedures for notifying
parents or legal guardians and early intervention procedures
based upon available community-based and district resources.
(Source: P.A. 91-272, eff. 1-1-00; 92-260, eff. 1-1-02.)
(105 ILCS 5/10-22.6) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.6)
Sec. 10-22.6. Suspension or expulsion of pupils; school
searches.
(a) To expel pupils guilty of gross disobedience or
misconduct, including gross disobedience or misconduct
perpetuated by electronic means, pursuant to subsection (b-20)
of this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such
expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after the parents
have been requested to appear at a meeting of the board, or
with a hearing officer appointed by it, to discuss their
child's behavior. Such request shall be made by registered or
certified mail and shall state the time, place and purpose of
the meeting. The board, or a hearing officer appointed by it,
at such meeting shall state the reasons for dismissal and the
date on which the expulsion is to become effective. If a
hearing officer is appointed by the board he shall report to
the board a written summary of the evidence heard at the

meeting and the board may take such action thereon as it finds
appropriate. If the board acts to expel a pupil, the written
expulsion decision shall detail the specific reasons why
removing the pupil from the learning environment is in the best
interest of the school. The expulsion decision shall also
include a rationale as to the specific duration of the
expulsion. An expelled pupil may be immediately transferred to
an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or
13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer because
of the expulsion, except in cases in which such transfer is
deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in
the alternative program.
(b) To suspend or by policy to authorize the superintendent
of the district or the principal, assistant principal, or dean
of students of any school to suspend pupils guilty of gross
disobedience or misconduct, or to suspend pupils guilty of
gross disobedience or misconduct on the school bus from riding
the school bus, pursuant to subsections (b-15) and (b-20) of
this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such
suspension. The board may by policy authorize the
superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend pupils
guilty of such acts for a period not to exceed 10 school days.
If a pupil is suspended due to gross disobedience or misconduct
on a school bus, the board may suspend the pupil in excess of
10 school days for safety reasons.

Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the
parents or guardian of a such pupil along with a full statement
of the reasons for such suspension and a notice of their right
to a review. The school board must be given a summary of the
notice, including the reason for the suspension and the
suspension length. Upon request of the parents or guardian the
school board or a hearing officer appointed by it shall review
such action of the superintendent or principal, assistant
principal, or dean of students. At such review the parents or
guardian of the pupil may appear and discuss the suspension
with the board or its hearing officer. If a hearing officer is
appointed by the board he shall report to the board a written
summary of the evidence heard at the meeting. After its hearing
or upon receipt of the written report of its hearing officer,
the board may take such action as it finds appropriate. If a
student is suspended pursuant to this subsection (b), the board
shall, in the written suspension decision, detail the specific
act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the
decision to suspend. The suspension decision shall also include
a rationale as to the specific duration of the suspension. A
pupil who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be
immediately transferred to an alternative program in the manner
provided in Article 13A or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not
be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases
in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the
safety of students or staff in the alternative program.

(b-5) Among the many possible disciplinary interventions
and consequences available to school officials, school
exclusions, such as out-of-school suspensions and expulsions,
are the most serious. School officials shall limit the number
and duration of expulsions and suspensions to the greatest
extent practicable, and it is recommended that they use them
only for legitimate educational purposes. To ensure that
students are not excluded from school unnecessarily, it is
recommended that school officials consider forms of
non-exclusionary discipline prior to using out-of-school
suspensions or expulsions.
(b-10) Unless otherwise required by federal law or this
Code, school boards may not institute zero-tolerance policies
by which school administrators are required to suspend or expel
students for particular behaviors.
(b-15) Out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less may be
used only if the student's continuing presence in school would
pose a threat to school safety or a disruption to other
students' learning opportunities. For purposes of this
subsection (b-15), "threat to school safety or a disruption to
other students' learning opportunities" shall be determined on
a case-by-case basis by the school board or its designee.
School officials shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve
such threats, address such disruptions, and minimize the length
of suspensions to the greatest extent practicable.
(b-20) Unless otherwise required by this Code,

out-of-school suspensions of longer than 3 days, expulsions,
and disciplinary removals to alternative schools may be used
only if other appropriate and available behavioral and
disciplinary interventions have been exhausted and the
student's continuing presence in school would either (i) pose a
threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of
the school community or (ii) substantially disrupt, impede, or
interfere with the operation of the school. For purposes of
this subsection (b-20), "threat to the safety of other
students, staff, or members of the school community" and
"substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the
operation of the school" shall be determined on a case-by-case
basis by school officials. For purposes of this subsection
(b-20), the determination of whether "appropriate and
available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been
exhausted" shall be made by school officials. School officials
shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats,
address such disruptions, and minimize the length of student
exclusions to the greatest extent practicable. Within the
suspension decision described in subsection (b) of this Section
or the expulsion decision described in subsection (a) of this
Section, it shall be documented whether other interventions
were attempted or whether it was determined that there were no
other appropriate and available interventions.
(b-25) Students who are suspended out-of-school for longer
than 4 school days shall be provided appropriate and available

support services during the period of their suspension. For
purposes of this subsection (b-25), "appropriate and available
support services" shall be determined by school authorities.
Within the suspension decision described in subsection (b) of
this Section, it shall be documented whether such services are
to be provided or whether it was determined that there are no
such appropriate and available services.
A school district may refer students who are expelled to
appropriate and available support services.
A school district shall create a policy to facilitate the
re-engagement of students who are suspended out-of-school,
expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting.
(b-30) A school district shall create a policy by which
suspended pupils, including those pupils suspended from the
school bus who do not have alternate transportation to school,
shall have the opportunity to make up work for equivalent
academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of a pupil's
parent or guardian to notify school officials that a pupil
suspended from the school bus does not have alternate
transportation to school.
(c) The Department of Human Services shall be invited to
send a representative to consult with the board at such meeting
whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be the cause
for expulsion or suspension.
(c-5) School districts shall make reasonable efforts to
provide ongoing professional development to teachers,

administrators, school board members, school resource
officers, and staff on the adverse consequences of school
exclusion and justice-system involvement, effective classroom
management strategies, culturally responsive discipline, and
developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote
positive and healthy school climates.
(d) The board may expel a student for a definite period of
time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a case by
case basis. A student who is determined to have brought one of
the following objects to school, any school-sponsored activity
or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable
relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not
less than one year:
(1) A firearm. For the purposes of this Section,
"firearm" means any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined
by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code,
firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners
Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section
24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012. The expulsion period
under this subdivision (1) may be modified by the
superintendent, and the superintendent's determination may
be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
(2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon
regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other
object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily
harm, including "look alikes" of any firearm as defined in

subdivision (1) of this subsection (d). The expulsion
requirement under this subdivision (2) may be modified by
the superintendent, and the superintendent's determination
may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
Expulsion or suspension shall be construed in a manner
consistent with the Federal Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act. A student who is subject to suspension or
expulsion as provided in this Section may be eligible for a
transfer to an alternative school program in accordance with
Article 13A of the School Code. The provisions of this
subsection (d) apply in all school districts, including special
charter districts and districts organized under Article 34.
(d-5) The board may suspend or by regulation authorize the
superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend a
student for a period not to exceed 10 school days or may expel
a student for a definite period of time not to exceed 2
calendar years, as determined on a case by case basis, if (i)
that student has been determined to have made an explicit
threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a
student, or any school-related personnel, (ii) the Internet
website through which the threat was made is a site that was
accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or
was available to third parties who worked or studied within the
school grounds at the time the threat was made, and (iii) the
threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the

safety and security of the threatened individual because of his
or her duties or employment status or status as a student
inside the school. The provisions of this subsection (d-5)
apply in all school districts, including special charter
districts and districts organized under Article 34 of this
Code.
(e) To maintain order and security in the schools, school
authorities may inspect and search places and areas such as
lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and
equipment owned or controlled by the school, as well as
personal effects left in those places and areas by students,
without notice to or the consent of the student, and without a
search warrant. As a matter of public policy, the General
Assembly finds that students have no reasonable expectation of
privacy in these places and areas or in their personal effects
left in these places and areas. School authorities may request
the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of
conducting inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking
lots, and other school property and equipment owned or
controlled by the school for illegal drugs, weapons, or other
illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including
searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.
If a search conducted in accordance with this Section produces
evidence that the student has violated or is violating either
the law, local ordinance, or the school's policies or rules,
such evidence may be seized by school authorities, and

disciplinary action may be taken. School authorities may also
turn over such evidence to law enforcement authorities. The
provisions of this subsection (e) apply in all school
districts, including special charter districts and districts
organized under Article 34.
(f) Suspension or expulsion may include suspension or
expulsion from school and all school activities and a
prohibition from being present on school grounds.
(g) A school district may adopt a policy providing that if
a student is suspended or expelled for any reason from any
public or private school in this or any other state, the
student must complete the entire term of the suspension or
expulsion in an alternative school program under Article 13A of
this Code or an alternative learning opportunities program
under Article 13B of this Code before being admitted into the
school district if there is no threat to the safety of students
or staff in the alternative program. This subsection (g)
applies to all school districts, including special charter
districts and districts organized under Article 34 of this
Code.
(h) School officials shall not advise or encourage students
to drop out voluntarily due to behavioral or academic
difficulties.
(i) A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a
disciplinary consequence, though this shall not preclude
requiring a student to provide restitution for lost, stolen, or

damaged property.
(j) Subsections (a) through (i) of this Section shall apply
to elementary and secondary schools, charter schools, special
charter districts, and school districts organized under
Article 34 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 96-633, eff. 8-24-09; 96-998, eff. 7-2-10;
97-340, eff. 1-1-12; 97-495, eff. 1-1-12; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12;
97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)
(105 ILCS 5/27A-5)
Sec. 27A-5. Charter school; legal entity; requirements.
(a) A charter school shall be a public, nonsectarian,
nonreligious, non-home based, and non-profit school. A charter
school shall be organized and operated as a nonprofit
corporation or other discrete, legal, nonprofit entity
authorized under the laws of the State of Illinois.
(b) A charter school may be established under this Article
by creating a new school or by converting an existing public
school or attendance center to charter school status. Beginning
on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd
General Assembly, in all new applications to establish a
charter school in a city having a population exceeding 500,000,
operation of the charter school shall be limited to one campus.
The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the
93rd General Assembly do not apply to charter schools existing
or approved on or before the effective date of this amendatory

Act.
(b-5) In this subsection (b-5), "virtual-schooling" means
a cyber school where students engage in online curriculum and
instruction via the Internet and electronic communication with
their teachers at remote locations and with students
participating at different times.
From April 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016, there is a
moratorium on the establishment of charter schools with
virtual-schooling components in school districts other than a
school district organized under Article 34 of this Code. This
moratorium does not apply to a charter school with
virtual-schooling components existing or approved prior to
April 1, 2013 or to the renewal of the charter of a charter
school with virtual-schooling components already approved
prior to April 1, 2013.
On or before March 1, 2014, the Commission shall submit to
the General Assembly a report on the effect of
virtual-schooling, including without limitation the effect on
student performance, the costs associated with
virtual-schooling, and issues with oversight. The report shall
include policy recommendations for virtual-schooling.
(c) A charter school shall be administered and governed by
its board of directors or other governing body in the manner
provided in its charter. The governing body of a charter school
shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and the Open
Meetings Act.

(d) A charter school shall comply with all applicable
health and safety requirements applicable to public schools
under the laws of the State of Illinois.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in the School Code, a
charter school shall not charge tuition; provided that a
charter school may charge reasonable fees for textbooks,
instructional materials, and student activities.
(f) A charter school shall be responsible for the
management and operation of its fiscal affairs including, but
not limited to, the preparation of its budget. An audit of each
charter school's finances shall be conducted annually by an
outside, independent contractor retained by the charter
school. To ensure financial accountability for the use of
public funds, on or before December 1 of every year of
operation, each charter school shall submit to its authorizer
and the State Board a copy of its audit and a copy of the Form
990 the charter school filed that year with the federal
Internal Revenue Service. In addition, if deemed necessary for
proper financial oversight of the charter school, an authorizer
may require quarterly financial statements from each charter
school.
(g) A charter school shall comply with all provisions of
this Article; the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act; all
federal and State laws and rules applicable to public schools
that pertain to special education and the instruction of
English language learners, referred to in this Code as

"children of limited English-speaking ability"; and its
charter. A charter school is exempt from all other State laws
and regulations in this Code governing public schools and local
school board policies, except the following:
(1) Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this Code regarding
criminal history records checks and checks of the Statewide
Sex Offender Database and Statewide Murderer and Violent
Offender Against Youth Database of applicants for
employment;
(2) Sections 10-20.14, 10-22.6, 24-24, 34-19, and
34-84a 34-84A of this Code regarding discipline of
students;
(3) the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees
Tort Immunity Act;
(4) Section 108.75 of the General Not For Profit
Corporation Act of 1986 regarding indemnification of
officers, directors, employees, and agents;
(5) the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act;
(6) the Illinois School Student Records Act;
(7) Section 10-17a of this Code regarding school report
cards;
(8) the P-20 Longitudinal Education Data System Act;
and
(9) Section 27-23.7 of this Code regarding bullying
prevention; and .
(10) (9) Section 2-3.162 2-3.160 of this the School

Code regarding student discipline reporting.
The change made by Public Act 96-104 to this subsection (g)
is declaratory of existing law.
(h) A charter school may negotiate and contract with a
school district, the governing body of a State college or
university or public community college, or any other public or
for-profit or nonprofit private entity for: (i) the use of a
school building and grounds or any other real property or
facilities that the charter school desires to use or convert
for use as a charter school site, (ii) the operation and
maintenance thereof, and (iii) the provision of any service,
activity, or undertaking that the charter school is required to
perform in order to carry out the terms of its charter.
However, a charter school that is established on or after the
effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General
Assembly and that operates in a city having a population
exceeding 500,000 may not contract with a for-profit entity to
manage or operate the school during the period that commences
on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd
General Assembly and concludes at the end of the 2004-2005
school year. Except as provided in subsection (i) of this
Section, a school district may charge a charter school
reasonable rent for the use of the district's buildings,
grounds, and facilities. Any services for which a charter
school contracts with a school district shall be provided by
the district at cost. Any services for which a charter school

contracts with a local school board or with the governing body
of a State college or university or public community college
shall be provided by the public entity at cost.
(i) In no event shall a charter school that is established
by converting an existing school or attendance center to
charter school status be required to pay rent for space that is
deemed available, as negotiated and provided in the charter
agreement, in school district facilities. However, all other
costs for the operation and maintenance of school district
facilities that are used by the charter school shall be subject
to negotiation between the charter school and the local school
board and shall be set forth in the charter.
(j) A charter school may limit student enrollment by age or
grade level.
(k) If the charter school is approved by the Commission,
then the Commission charter school is its own local education
agency.
(Source: P.A. 97-152, eff. 7-20-11; 97-154, eff. 1-1-12;
97-813, eff. 7-13-12; 98-16, eff. 5-24-13; 98-639, eff. 6-9-14;
98-669, eff. 6-26-14; 98-739, eff. 7-16-14; 98-783, eff.
1-1-15; 98-1059, eff. 8-26-14; 98-1102, eff. 8-26-14; revised
10-14-14.)
(105 ILCS 5/34-19) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-19)
Sec. 34-19. By-laws, rules and regulations; business
transacted at regular meetings; voting; records. The board

shall, subject to the limitations in this Article, establish
by-laws, rules and regulations, which shall have the force of
ordinances, for the proper maintenance of a uniform system of
discipline for both employees and pupils, and for the entire
management of the schools, and may fix the school age of
pupils, the minimum of which in kindergartens shall not be
under 4 years, except that, based upon an assessment of the
child's readiness, children who have attended a non-public
preschool and continued their education at that school through
kindergarten, were taught in kindergarten by an appropriately
certified teacher, and will attain the age of 6 years on or
before December 31 of the year of the 2009-2010 school term and
each school term thereafter may attend first grade upon
commencement of such term, and in grade schools shall not be
under 6 years. It may expel, suspend or, subject to the
limitations of all policies established or adopted under
Section 10-22.6 or 14-8.05, otherwise discipline any pupil
found guilty of gross disobedience, misconduct, or other
violation of the by-laws, rules, and regulations, including
gross disobedience or misconduct perpetuated by electronic
means. An expelled pupil may be immediately transferred to an
alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A or
13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer because
of the expulsion, except in cases in which such transfer is
deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in
the alternative program. A pupil who is suspended in excess of

20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative
program in the manner provided in Article 13A or 13B of this
Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer because of the
suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to
cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the
alternative program. The bylaws, rules and regulations of the
board shall be enacted, money shall be appropriated or
expended, salaries shall be fixed or changed, and textbooks,
electronic textbooks, and courses of instruction shall be
adopted or changed only at the regular meetings of the board
and by a vote of a majority of the full membership of the
board; provided that notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article or the School Code, neither the board or any local
school council may purchase any textbook for use in any public
school of the district from any textbook publisher that fails
to furnish any computer diskettes as required under Section
28-21. Funds appropriated for textbook purchases must be
available for electronic textbook purchases and the
technological equipment necessary to gain access to and use
electronic textbooks at the local school council's discretion.
The board shall be further encouraged to provide opportunities
for public hearing and testimony before the adoption of bylaws,
rules and regulations. Upon all propositions requiring for
their adoption at least a majority of all the members of the
board the yeas and nays shall be taken and reported. The
by-laws, rules and regulations of the board shall not be

repealed, amended or added to, except by a vote of 2/3 of the
full membership of the board. The board shall keep a record of
all its proceedings. Such records and all by-laws, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof, may be proved by a copy thereof
certified to be such by the secretary of the board, but if they
are printed in book or pamphlet form which are purported to be
published by authority of the board they need not be otherwise
published and the book or pamphlet shall be received as
evidence, without further proof, of the records, by-laws, rules
and regulations, or any part thereof, as of the dates thereof
as shown in such book or pamphlet, in all courts and places
where judicial proceedings are had.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Article or in
the School Code, the board may delegate to the general
superintendent or to the attorney the authorities granted to
the board in the School Code, provided such delegation and
appropriate oversight procedures are made pursuant to board
by-laws, rules and regulations, adopted as herein provided,
except that the board may not delegate its authorities and
responsibilities regarding (1) budget approval obligations;
(2) rule-making functions; (3) desegregation obligations; (4)
real estate acquisition, sale or lease in excess of 10 years as
provided in Section 34-21; (5) the levy of taxes; or (6) any
mandates imposed upon the board by "An Act in relation to
school reform in cities over 500,000, amending Acts herein
named", approved December 12, 1988 (P.A. 85-1418).

(Source: P.A. 96-864, eff. 1-21-10; 96-1403, eff. 7-29-10;
97-340, eff. 1-1-12; 97-495, eff. 1-1-12; 97-813, eff.
7-13-12.)