105 ILCS 5/27A-8
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 5/ - School Code.|Article 27A - Charter Schools

Sec. 27A-8. Evaluation of charter proposals.(a) This Section does not apply to a charter school established by  referendum under  Section 27A-6.5.  In evaluating any charter  school proposal submitted to it, the local school board shall give preference  to proposals that:(1) demonstrate a high level of local pupil,     parental, community, business, and school personnel support;(2) set rigorous levels of expected pupil achievement     and demonstrate feasible plans for attaining those levels of achievement; and(3) are designed to enroll and serve a substantial     proportion of at-risk children; provided that nothing in the Charter Schools Law shall be construed as intended to limit the establishment of charter schools to those that serve a substantial portion of at-risk children or to in any manner restrict, limit, or discourage the establishment of charter schools that enroll and serve other pupil populations under a nonexclusive, nondiscriminatory admissions policy.(b) In the case of a proposal to establish a charter school by converting an  existing public school or attendance center to charter school status, evidence  that the proposed formation of the charter school has received majority support  from certified teachers and from parents and guardians in the school or  attendance center affected by the proposed charter, and, if applicable, from a  local school council, shall be demonstrated by a petition in support of the  charter school signed by certified teachers and a petition in support of the  charter school signed by parents and guardians and, if applicable, by a vote of  the local school council held at a public meeting.  In the case of all other  proposals to establish a charter school, evidence of sufficient support to fill  the number of pupil seats set forth in the proposal may be  demonstrated by a  petition in support of the charter school signed by parents and guardians of  students eligible to attend the charter school.  In all cases, the individuals, organizations, or entities who initiate  the proposal to establish a charter school may elect, in lieu of including any  petition referred to in this subsection as a part of the proposal submitted to  the local school board, to demonstrate that the charter school has  received the support referred to in this subsection by other evidence and  information presented at the public meeting that the local school board is  required to convene under this Section.(c) Within 45 days of receipt of a charter school proposal, the local school  board shall convene a public meeting to obtain information to assist the board  in its decision to grant or deny the charter school proposal. A local school board may develop its own process for receiving charter school proposals on an annual basis that follows the same timeframes as set forth in this Article. Final decisions of a local school board are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.(d) Notice of the public meeting required by this Section shall be published  in a community newspaper published in the school district in which the proposed  charter is located and, if there is no such newspaper, then in a newspaper  published in the county and having circulation in the school district.  The  notices shall be published not more than 10 days nor less than 5 days before  the meeting and shall state that information regarding a charter school  proposal will be heard at the meeting.  Copies of the notice shall also be  posted at appropriate locations in the school or attendance center proposed to  be established as a charter school, the public schools in the school district,  and the local school board office.(e) Within 30 days of the public meeting, the local school board shall vote,  in a public meeting, to either grant or deny the charter school proposal.(f) Within 7 days of the public meeting required under subsection (e) of this Section, the  local school board shall file a report with the State Board  granting or denying the proposal.  If the local school board has approved the proposal, within 30 days of receipt of the local school board's  report, the State Board shall determine whether the approved charter  proposal is consistent with the  provisions of this Article and, if the approved proposal  complies,  certify the proposal pursuant to Section 27A-6.(g) (Blank).(h)  (Blank).(i)  (Blank). (Source: P.A. 101-543, eff. 8-23-19.)