SB0144 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)
SCHOOL CODE-CHARTER SCHOOLS
Last Action
06/02/2025 - Senate: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the School Code. Prohibits a charter from being granted to an organization that operates a private, parochial, or non-public school or child care facility. Provides that a charter school shall spend no less than 90% of its budget on direct-service costs for students. Removes provisions regarding the closure of charter schools, the use of unspent public funds, and the procedures for disposition of property and assets. Requires the governing body of a charter school that is the subject of a school action to work collaboratively with local school educators and families of students attending the charter school to ensure successful integration of affected students into new learning environments. Requires, for a charter school closure, the governing body of the charter school to ensure that all students of the charter school at the time of the closure will be guaranteed a seat at a receiving school and that all teachers of the charter school at the time of the closure will be guaranteed a job at a receiving school. Sets forth requirements for school transition plans. Requires the governing body of the charter school to designate at least 3 opportunities for public comment at a hearing or meeting on the proposed school action.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that for charter schools located in the Chicago school district, if a charter school proposes to close one or more campuses during the term of its contract, then (i) the charter school shall announce the proposal no later than September 1 of the year prior to the effective date of the closure, (ii) the charter school is subject to specified procedures in the Chicago School District Article, and (iii) the school board retains authority to approve or deny the closure. Provides that if the school board approves the closure, the governing body of the charter school shall work collaboratively with the school board, educators, and the families of students attending the campus of the charter school that is the subject of the closure to ensure successful integration of affected students into new learning environments. Provides that affected students who reside in the district shall be guaranteed a seat at a district school. Provides that upon the closing of a charter school located in the Chicago school district, the charter school's licensed teachers shall be guaranteed a similar position for which they are qualified at a district school with full recognition of prior service if they choose to work in the district. Provides that teachers in the closed charter school without an educator license shall be provided a pathway to a short-term license and preference in receiving a job at a district school.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 01/17/2025 | Senate | Filed with Secretary by Sen. Celina Villanueva |
| 01/17/2025 | Senate | First Reading |
| 01/17/2025 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |
| 02/26/2025 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam |
| 03/04/2025 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán |
| 03/12/2025 | Senate | Assigned to Executive |
| 03/20/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy |
| 03/21/2025 | Senate | Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 4, 2025 |
| 03/25/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Celina Villanueva |
| 03/25/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments |
| 04/01/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive |
| 04/04/2025 | Senate | Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025 |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Do Pass as Amended Executive; 009-004-000 |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 10, 2025 |
| 04/10/2025 | Senate | Second Reading |
| 04/10/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 11, 2025 |
| 04/11/2025 | Senate | Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025 |
| 05/09/2025 | Senate | Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 23, 2025 |
| 05/12/2025 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Celina Villanueva |
| 05/12/2025 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments |
| 05/13/2025 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Executive |
| 05/14/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino |
| 05/15/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes |
| 05/23/2025 | Senate | Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As June 1, 2025 |
| 06/02/2025 | Senate | Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments |
| 07/02/2025 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments |