Bill Text: IL SB2728 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Amends the Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning Act, the Illinois Century Network Act, the School Code, and the Public Community College Act. Changes references from the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Community College Board to the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board. Makes technical corrections.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-07-25 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0790 [SB2728 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SB2728-Engrossed.html

---

SB2728 Engrossed LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning
Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:
(20 ILCS 2325/15)
Sec. 15. Members.
(a) The following 10 persons or their designees shall be
members of the Council: the Director of the Department; a
representative of the Governor's Office; the Secretary of Human
Services; the Directors of the Departments of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity, Employment Security, Financial and
Professional Regulation, and Healthcare and Family Services;
and the Executive Director executive director of the Illinois
Board of Higher Education, the Executive Director President of
the Illinois Community College Board, and the State
Superintendent of Education.
(b) The Governor shall appoint 8 additional members, who
shall be healthcare workforce experts, including
representatives of practicing physicians, nurses, pharmacists,
and dentists, State and local health professions
organizations, schools of medicine and osteopathy, nursing,
dental, allied health, and public health; public and private

SB2728 Engrossed - 2 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
teaching hospitals; health insurers, business; and labor. The
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President
of the Illinois Senate, the Minority Leader of the Illinois
House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the
Illinois Senate may each appoint 2 representatives to the
Council. Members appointed under this subsection (b) shall
serve 4-year terms and may be reappointed.
(c) The Director of the Department shall serve as Chair of
the Council. The Governor shall appoint a healthcare workforce
expert from the non-governmental sector to serve as Vice-Chair.
(Source: P.A. 97-424, eff. 7-1-12.)
Section 10. The Illinois Century Network Act is amended by
changing Section 15 as follows:
(20 ILCS 3921/15)
Sec. 15. Management of the Illinois Century Network.
(a) Staffing and contractual services necessary to support
the network's activities shall be governed by the Illinois
Century Network Policy Committee. The committee shall include:
(1) 6 standing members as follows:
(i) the Illinois State Library Director or
designee;
(ii) the Illinois State Museum Director or
designee;
(iii) the Executive Director of the Board of Higher

SB2728 Engrossed - 3 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
Education or designee;
(iv) the Executive Director of the Illinois
Community College Board President or designee;
(v) the State Board of Education State
Superintendent or designee; and
(vi) the Director of Central Management Services
or designee;
(2) up to 7 members who are appointed by the Governor
and who:
(i) have experience and background in private K-12
education, private higher education, or who are from
other participant constituents that are not already
represented;
(ii) shall serve staggered terms up to 3 years as
designated by the Governor; and
(iii) shall serve until a successor is appointed
and qualified; and
(3) a Chairperson who is appointed by the Governor and
who shall serve a term of 2 years and until a successor is
appointed and qualified.
(b) Illinois Century Network Policy Committee members
shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to
reimbursement for reasonable expenses of travel for members who
are required to travel for a distance greater than 20 miles to
participate in business of the Illinois Century Network Policy
Committee.

SB2728 Engrossed - 4 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
(Source: P.A. 91-21, eff. 7-1-99; 92-691, eff. 7-18-02.)
Section 15. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
3-15.12 and 22-45 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/3-15.12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.12)
Sec. 3-15.12. High school equivalency testing program. The
regional superintendent of schools shall make available for
qualified individuals residing within the region a High School
Equivalency Testing Program. For that purpose the regional
superintendent alone or with other regional superintendents
may establish and supervise a testing center or centers to
administer the secure forms of the high school level Test of
General Educational Development to qualified persons. Such
centers shall be under the supervision of the regional
superintendent in whose region such centers are located,
subject to the approval of the Executive Director President of
the Illinois Community College Board.
An individual is eligible to apply to the regional
superintendent of schools for the region in which he or she
resides if he or she is: (a) a person who is 17 years of age or
older, has maintained residence in the State of Illinois, and
is not a high school graduate; (b) a person who is successfully
completing an alternative education program under Section
2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B; or (c) a person who is
enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois

SB2728 Engrossed - 5 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
National Guard. For purposes of this Section, residence is that
abode which the applicant considers his or her home. Applicants
may provide as sufficient proof of such residence and as an
acceptable form of identification a driver's license, valid
passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued
national or foreign identification that shows the applicant's
name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph or
other acceptable identification as may be allowed by law or as
regulated by the Illinois Community College Board. Such
regional superintendent shall determine if the applicant meets
statutory and regulatory state standards. If qualified the
applicant shall at the time of such application pay a fee
established by the Illinois Community College Board, which fee
shall be paid into a special fund under the control and
supervision of the regional superintendent. Such moneys
received by the regional superintendent shall be used, first,
for the expenses incurred in administering and scoring the
examination, and next for other educational programs that are
developed and designed by the regional superintendent of
schools to assist those who successfully complete the high
school level test of General Education Development in
furthering their academic development or their ability to
secure and retain gainful employment, including programs for
the competitive award based on test scores of college or adult
education scholarship grants or similar educational
incentives. Any excess moneys shall be paid into the institute

SB2728 Engrossed - 6 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
fund.
Any applicant who has achieved the minimum passing
standards as established by the Illinois Community College
Board shall be notified in writing by the regional
superintendent and shall be issued a high school equivalency
certificate on the forms provided by the Illinois Community
College Board. The regional superintendent shall then certify
to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the
applicant and such other and additional information that may be
required by the Illinois Community College Board. The moneys
received therefrom shall be used in the same manner as provided
for in this Section.
Any applicant who has attained the age of 17 years and
maintained residence in the State of Illinois and is not a high
school graduate, any person who has enrolled in a youth
education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, or
any person who has successfully completed an alternative
education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article
13B is eligible to apply for a high school equivalency
certificate (if he or she meets the requirements prescribed by
the Illinois Community College Board) upon showing evidence
that he or she has completed, successfully, the high school
level General Educational Development Tests, administered by
the United States Armed Forces Institute, official GED Centers
established in other states, or at Veterans' Administration
Hospitals or the office of the State Superintendent of

SB2728 Engrossed - 7 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
Education administered for the Illinois State Penitentiary
System and the Department of Corrections. Such applicant shall
apply to the regional superintendent of the region wherein he
has maintained residence, and upon payment of a fee established
by the Illinois Community College Board the regional
superintendent shall issue a high school equivalency
certificate, and immediately thereafter certify to the
Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and
such other and additional information as may be required by the
Illinois Community College Board.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, any
applicant who has been out of school for at least one year may
request the regional superintendent of schools to administer
the restricted GED test upon written request of: The director
of a program who certifies to the Chief Examiner of an official
GED center that the applicant has completed a program of
instruction provided by such agencies as the Job Corps, the
Postal Service Academy or apprenticeship training program; an
employer or program director for purposes of entry into
apprenticeship programs; another State Department of Education
in order to meet regulations established by that Department of
Education, a post high school educational institution for
purposes of admission, the Department of Professional
Regulation for licensing purposes, or the Armed Forces for
induction purposes. The regional superintendent shall
administer such test and the applicant shall be notified in

SB2728 Engrossed - 8 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
writing that he is eligible to receive the Illinois High School
Equivalency Certificate upon reaching age 17, provided he meets
the standards established by the Illinois Community College
Board.
Any test administered under this Section to an applicant
who does not speak and understand English may at the discretion
of the administering agency be given and answered in any
language in which the test is printed. The regional
superintendent of schools may waive any fees required by this
Section in case of hardship.
In counties of over 3,000,000 population, a GED certificate
shall contain the signatures of the Executive Director
President of the Illinois Community College Board; , the
superintendent, president, or other chief executive officer of
the institution where GED instruction occurred; and any other
signatures authorized by the Illinois Community College Board.
The regional superintendent of schools shall furnish the
Illinois Community College Board with any information that the
Illinois Community College Board requests with regard to
testing and certificates under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 94-108, eff. 7-1-05; 95-609, eff. 6-1-08.)
(105 ILCS 5/22-45)
Sec. 22-45. Illinois P-20 Council.
(a) The General Assembly finds that preparing Illinoisans
for success in school and the workplace requires a continuum of

SB2728 Engrossed - 9 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
quality education from preschool through graduate school. This
State needs a framework to guide education policy and integrate
education at every level. A statewide coordinating council to
study and make recommendations concerning education at all
levels can avoid fragmentation of policies, promote improved
teaching and learning, and continue to cultivate and
demonstrate strong accountability and efficiency. Establishing
an Illinois P-20 Council will develop a statewide agenda that
will move the State towards the common goals of improving
academic achievement, increasing college access and success,
improving use of existing data and measurements, developing
improved accountability, fostering innovative approaches to
education, promoting lifelong learning, easing the transition
to college, and reducing remediation. A pre-kindergarten
through grade 20 agenda will strengthen this State's economic
competitiveness by producing a highly-skilled workforce. In
addition, lifelong learning plans will enhance this State's
ability to leverage funding.
(b) There is created the Illinois P-20 Council. The
Illinois P-20 Council shall include all of the following
members:
(1) The Governor or his or her designee, to serve as
chairperson.
(2) Four members of the General Assembly, one appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one
appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of

SB2728 Engrossed - 10 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
Representatives, one appointed by the President of the
Senate, and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate.
(3) Six at-large members appointed by the Governor as
follows, with 2 members being from the City of Chicago, 2
members being from Lake County, McHenry County, Kane
County, DuPage County, Will County, or that part of Cook
County outside of the City of Chicago, and 2 members being
from the remainder of the State:
(A) one representative of civic leaders;
(B) one representative of local government;
(C) one representative of trade unions;
(D) one representative of nonprofit organizations
or foundations;
(E) one representative of parents' organizations;
and
(F) one education research expert.
(4) Five members appointed by statewide business
organizations and business trade associations.
(5) Six members appointed by statewide professional
organizations and associations representing
pre-kindergarten through grade 20 teachers, community
college faculty, and public university faculty.
(6) Two members appointed by associations representing
local school administrators and school board members. One
of these members must be a special education administrator.

SB2728 Engrossed - 11 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
(7) One member representing community colleges,
appointed by the Illinois Council of Community College
Presidents.
(8) One member representing 4-year independent
colleges and universities, appointed by a statewide
organization representing private institutions of higher
learning.
(9) One member representing public 4-year
universities, appointed jointly by the university
presidents and chancellors.
(10) Ex-officio members as follows:
(A) The State Superintendent of Education or his or
her designee.
(B) The Executive Director of the Board of Higher
Education or his or her designee.
(C) The Executive Director President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Illinois Community College
Board or his or her designee.
(D) The Executive Director of the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission or his or her designee.
(E) The Co-chairpersons of the Illinois Workforce
Investment Board or their designee.
(F) The Director of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity or his or her designee.
(G) The Chairperson of the Illinois Early Learning
Council or his or her designee.

SB2728 Engrossed - 12 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
(H) The President of the Illinois Mathematics and
Science Academy or his or her designee.
(I) The president of an association representing
educators of adult learners or his or her designee.
Ex-officio members shall have no vote on the Illinois P-20
Council.
Appointed members shall serve for staggered terms expiring
on July 1 of the first, second, or third calendar year
following their appointments or until their successors are
appointed and have qualified. Staggered terms shall be
determined by lot at the organizing meeting of the Illinois
P-20 Council.
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original
appointments, and any member so appointed shall serve during
the remainder of the term for which the vacancy occurred.
(c) The Illinois P-20 Council shall be funded through State
appropriations to support staff activities, research,
data-collection, and dissemination. The Illinois P-20 Council
shall be staffed by the Office of the Governor, in coordination
with relevant State agencies, boards, and commissions. The
Illinois Education Research Council shall provide research and
coordinate research collection activities for the Illinois
P-20 Council.
(d) The Illinois P-20 Council shall have all of the
following duties:
(1) To make recommendations to do all of the following:

SB2728 Engrossed - 13 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
(A) Coordinate pre-kindergarten through grade 20
(graduate school) education in this State through
working at the intersections of educational systems to
promote collaborative infrastructure.
(B) Coordinate and leverage strategies, actions,
legislation, policies, and resources of all
stakeholders to support fundamental and lasting
improvement in this State's public schools, community
colleges, and universities.
(C) Better align the high school curriculum with
postsecondary expectations.
(D) Better align assessments across all levels of
education.
(E) Reduce the need for students entering
institutions of higher education to take remedial
courses.
(F) Smooth the transition from high school to
college.
(G) Improve high school and college graduation
rates.
(H) Improve the rigor and relevance of academic
standards for college and workforce readiness.
(I) Better align college and university teaching
programs with the needs of Illinois schools.
(2) To advise the Governor, the General Assembly, the
State's education and higher education agencies, and the

SB2728 Engrossed - 14 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
State's workforce and economic development boards and
agencies on policies related to lifelong learning for
Illinois students and families.
(3) To articulate a framework for systemic educational
improvement and innovation that will enable every student
to meet or exceed Illinois learning standards and be
well-prepared to succeed in the workforce and community.
(4) To provide an estimated fiscal impact for
implementation of all Council recommendations.
(e) The chairperson of the Illinois P-20 Council may
authorize the creation of working groups focusing on areas of
interest to Illinois educational and workforce development,
including without limitation the following areas:
(1) Preparation, recruitment, and certification of
highly qualified teachers.
(2) Mentoring and induction of highly qualified
teachers.
(3) The diversity of highly qualified teachers.
(4) Funding for highly qualified teachers, including
developing a strategic and collaborative plan to seek
federal and private grants to support initiatives
targeting teacher preparation and its impact on student
achievement.
(5) Highly effective administrators.
(6) Illinois birth through age 3 education,
pre-kindergarten, and early childhood education.

SB2728 Engrossed - 15 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
(7) The assessment, alignment, outreach, and network
of college and workforce readiness efforts.
(8) Alternative routes to college access.
(9) Research data and accountability.
(10) Community schools, community participation, and
other innovative approaches to education that foster
community partnerships.
The chairperson of the Illinois P-20 Council may designate
Council members to serve as working group chairpersons. Working
groups may invite organizations and individuals representing
pre-kindergarten through grade 20 interests to participate in
discussions, data collection, and dissemination.
(Source: P.A. 98-463, eff. 8-16-13.)
Section 20. The Public Community College Act is amended by
changing Section 3-33.7 as follows:
(110 ILCS 805/3-33.7)
Sec. 3-33.7. Establishment of lines of credit. The board
may establish a line of credit with a bank or other financial
institution in an amount not to exceed the following:
(1) if anticipating State revenues due in the current
fiscal year, 85% of the amount or amounts of the revenues
due in the current fiscal year, as certified by the
Executive Director President/CEO of the State Board or
other official in a position to provide assurances as to

SB2728 Engrossed - 16 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
the amounts; and
(2) if anticipating State revenues expected to be due
in the next subsequent fiscal year, 50% of the amount or
amounts of the revenues due in the current fiscal year, as
certified by the Executive Director President/CEO of the
State Board or other official in a position to provide
assurances as to the amounts.
All moneys so borrowed shall be repaid exclusively from the
anticipated revenues within 60 days after the revenues have
been received. Borrowing authorized under subdivisions (1) and
(2) of this Section shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed
the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, from
the date of issuance until paid.
Prior to establishing a line of credit under this Section,
the board shall authorize, by resolution, the line of credit.
The resolution shall set forth facts demonstrating the need for
the line of credit, state the amount to be borrowed, establish
a maximum interest rate limit not to exceed that set forth in
this Section, and provide a date by which the borrowed funds
must be repaid. The resolution shall direct the relevant
officials to make arrangements to set apart and hold the
revenue, as received, that will be used to repay the borrowing.
In addition, the resolution may authorize the relevant
officials to make partial repayments of the borrowing as the
revenues become available and may contain any other terms,
restrictions, or limitations not inconsistent with the

SB2728 Engrossed - 17 - LRB098 16123 NHT 51180 b
provisions of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 96-912, eff. 6-9-10.)