§ 3A-4 — Mandatory consolidation of educational service regions

(a) After July 1, 2015, each region must contain at least 61,000 inhabitants. Before June 30, 2013, regions may be consolidated voluntarily under Section 3A-3 or by joint resolution of the county boards of regions seeking to join a voluntary consolidation, effective July 1, 2015, to meet these population requirements. The boundaries of regions already meeting these population requirements on the effective date of Public Act 97-703 may not be changed except to consolidate with another region or a whole county portion of another region which does not meet these population requirements. If, before November 1, 2013, locally determined consolidation decisions result in more than 35 regions of population greater than 61,000 each, the State Board of Education shall, before November 23, 2013, direct further consolidation, beginning with the region of lowest population, until the number of 35 regions is achieved. (b) (Blank). (c) If, within 90 days after the most recent certified federal census, a region does not meet the population requirements of this Section, then regions may be consolidated voluntarily under Section 3A-3 of this Code or by joint resolution of the county boards of regions seeking to join a voluntary consolidation to meet these population requirements. If locally determined consolidation decisions result in a region not meeting the population requirements of this Section or result in more than 35 regions, then the State Board of Education shall have the authority to impose further consolidation by order of the State Superintendent of Education. Such an order shall be a final order and is subject to the Administrative Review Law. (d) All population determinations shall be based on the most recent federal census.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 97-703, eff. 6-25-12; 98-594, eff. 11-15-13.)