This Week in Springfield

  March 24, 2006

Prepared by Brittan Bolin Consulting, Inc. for Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance

An electronic copy of these bills can be accessed at www.ilga.gov.   

Bill Summaries:

HB 5370 – Giles (D-Chicago)/Lightford (D-Maywood) – IAHPERD SUPPORT

HB 5370 is language initiated by IAHPERD and the AHA to make changes in the General Assembly’s role in the school waiver process.   Provides that if the General Assembly fails to act upon the request within the given time periods, the waivers will be deemed disapproved.  Further provides that beginning with the waiver report filed in March 2007, the resolution acting upon the report will be introduced in the House and Senate in alternating years.  Approved in the House on 2/23/06.  Approved in the Senate Education Committee on 3/14/06 by a vote of 6-4-0.  Currently on 2nd Reading in the Senate.

SB 2346 – Peterson (R-Long Grove)

Removes the requirement that the public hearing on the application and plan for a school waiver be held on a day other than the day on which a regular meeting of the school board is held.  Re-referred to Senate Rules Committee. 

SB 2600 – Cronin (R-Elmhurst)

Provides that a school board may excuse pupils in grades 9-12 from physical education courses if the pupil is getting substantial physical activity from participating in athletic training and competition in a sport under the auspices of a national governing board that is recognized by and affiliated with an international sports federation and the parent or guardian has provided documentation of such training and recognition.  Referred to Senate Rules.

SB 2762 – Hunter (D-Chicago)/Rita (D-Blue Island) – IAHPERD SUPPORT

Provides that a pupil whom a school board has exempted from the requirement for daily physical education because he or she must use that time to receive special education support and services must have that recommendation included in their individualized education program (IEP) as the determination of their IEP team.   SB 2762 was amended with language to clarify that school administrators may not use the existing exemption to prevent students from receiving adaptive physical education.  Approved in the Senate on 2/24/06.  Approved in the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee on 3/23/06. 

SB 2829 – Lightford (D-Maywood) – IAHPERD SUPPORT AS AMENDED

Makes numerous provisions to carry out the ISBE’s Less Red Tape initiative.  Includes language that would repeal the current requirement that school boards hold a separate hearing for consideration of waiver requests, and instead proposes language requiring the board to establish a separate time within the regular board meeting to consider waiver requests.  IAHPERD is currently in discussions with ISBE on this initiative, and may decided to oppose the provision outright, or offer a suggested language change.  SB 2829 was amended with language agreed to by ISBE, AHA and IAHPERD that will require hearings on physical education waivers only be scheduled on a separate day.  Approved in the Senate on 3/2/06.  Approved in the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee on 3/23/06. 

SJR 82 – Lightford (D-Maywood)

SJR 82 is the vehicle resolution for General Assembly action on the spring 2006 ISBE waiver report.  Approved in the Senate Education Committee on 3/23/06.   The resolution will likely be amended with a floor amendment containing the General Assembly’s actual recommendations of the waiver report in the next week.

Other Issues:

Today is the deadline for House and Senate bills to be discharged from committee in the opposite chamber.  Next Friday (March 31) is the third reading deadline for House and Senate bills originating in the opposite chamber.  Friday, April 7, 2006 is the scheduled adjournment date for the Illinois General Assembly.

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