105 ILCS 5/7-2.6
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 5/ - School Code.|Article 7 - Boundary Change

 (from Ch. 122, par. 7-2.6)Sec. 7-2.6.   At its organization meeting, the Hearing Board shall  choose from its membership a chairman and a secretary. The secretary  shall cause a copy of such petition to be sent to the president of the school board of each detaching or dissolving and annexing school district and shall cause a  notice thereof to be published once in a newspaper having general  circulation within the area of the detaching or dissolving and annexing territory described in the petition. The petitioners shall pay the  expenses of publishing the notice and any transcript taken at the  hearing and mailing the final order. In case of an appeal from the decision of the Hearing Board,  the appellants shall pay the cost of preparing the record for appeal.  The notice must state when the petition was filed, the description of  the detaching territory or name of the dissolving district, the name of the annexing district, the prayer of the petition, and the day and time on and location in which the  hearing upon the petition will be held, which may not be more than 30   nor less than 15 calendar days after the publication of notice. Any additional  expense not enumerated above shall be borne equally by the school  districts involved.The Hearing Board shall hear the petition and determine the  sufficiency thereof and may adjourn the hearing from time to time or  continue the matter for want of sufficient notice or for other good  cause. The Hearing Board (a) shall hear evidence as to the school needs  and conditions of the territory in the area within and adjacent thereto,  and as to the ability of the districts affected to meet the standards of  recognition as prescribed by the State Board of Education,  (b) shall take into consideration the division of funds and assets which  will result from any change of boundaries, and the will of the people of  the area affected, and (c) shall determine whether it is to the best  interests of the schools of the area and the educational welfare of the  pupils should such change in boundaries be granted.The Hearing Board may administer oaths, determine the admissibility  of evidence, and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and  subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents. At the hearing, any resident in  any detaching, dissolving, or annexing school district or any representative of a detaching, dissolving, or annexing school district may appear  in person or by attorney in support of the petition or to object to the  granting of the petition and may present evidence in support of his or her  position through either oral or written testimony. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Board shall,  within 30 days, enter an order either granting or denying the petition. The Hearing Board shall deliver a certified copy of the order by certified mail, return receipt requested,   to the petitioners; the president of the school board of each detaching or dissolving and annexing district;  any person providing testimony in support of or opposition to the petition at the hearing; any  attorney who appears for any person; and the regional superintendent of schools who has supervision and control, as defined in Section 3-14.2 of this Code, of each detaching or dissolving and annexing district. The Hearing Board is not required to send a copy of the Hearing Board's order to those attending the hearing but not participating. The final order shall be in writing and include findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the decision to grant or deny the petition.Within 10 days after service of the certified copy of the order granting or denying the petition, any  person so served may petition for rehearing. The petition for rehearing shall specify the reason for the request. The Hearing Board shall first determine whether there is sufficient cause for a rehearing. If so determined, then the Hearing Board shall allow the petition to be heard anew in its entirety in accordance with all procedures in this Section. The party requesting a rehearing shall pay the expenses of publishing the notice and of any transcript taken at the hearing. The filing of a  petition for rehearing operates as a stay of enforcement until the Hearing Board   enters its final order on that petition for rehearing.  (Source: P.A. 100-374, eff. 8-25-17.)