§ 1H-5 — Findings; purpose; intent

(a) The General Assembly finds all of the following: (1) A fundamental goal of the people of this State, as expressed in Section 1 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution, is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. When a board of education faces financial difficulties, continued operation of the public school system is threatened. (2) A sound financial structure is essential to the continued operation of any school system. It is vital to commercial, educational, and cultural interests that public schools remain in operation. To achieve that goal, public school systems must have effective access to the private market to borrow short and long term funds. (3) To promote the financial integrity of districts, as defined in this Article, it is necessary to provide for the creation of financial oversight panels with the powers necessary to promote sound financial management and to ensure the continued operation of the public schools. (b) It is the purpose of this Article to provide a secure financial basis for the continued operation of public schools. The intention of the General Assembly, in creating this Article, is to establish procedures, provide powers, and impose restrictions to ensure the financial and educational integrity of public school districts, while leaving principal responsibility for the educational policies of public schools to their boards of education, consistent with the requirements for satisfying the public policy and purpose set forth in this Article.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 97-429, eff. 8-16-11.)