105 ILCS 45/1-50
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 45/ - Education for Homeless Children Act.|Article 1

(105 ILCS 45/1-50)Sec. 1-50. Education of Homeless Children and Youth State       Grant Program.(a) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to  establish a State grant program that parallels and supplements,  but operates independently of, the federal grant program  allocating funds for assistance under Subtitle B of Title VII  of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431  et seq.) and to establish a State grant program to support  school districts throughout this State in facilitating the  enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and  youth.(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education  shall award competitive grants under an Education of Homeless  Children and Youth State Grant Program to applicant school  districts in accordance with this Section. Services provided by  school districts through the use of grant funds may not replace  the regular academic program and must be designed to expand  upon or improve services provided for homeless students as part  of the school's regular academic program.(c) A school district that desires to receive a grant under  this Section shall submit an application to the State Board of  Education at such time, in such manner, and containing or  accompanied by such information as the State Board of Education  may reasonably require.(d) Grants must be awarded on the basis of the need of the  school district for assistance under this Section and the  quality of the applications submitted.(1) In determining need under this subsection (d),     the     State Board of Education may consider the number of     homeless children and youths enrolled in preschool,     elementary school, and secondary school within the school     district and shall consider the needs of such children and     youths and the ability of the district to meet such needs.     The State Board of Education may also consider the     following:(A) The extent to which the proposed use of funds                 will facilitate the enrollment, retention, and         educational success of homeless children and youths.(B) The extent to which the application (i)                 reflects coordination with other local and State         agencies that serve homeless children and youths and         (ii) describes how the applicant will meet the         requirements of this Act and the federal         McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance         Improvements Act of 2001.(C) The extent to which the applicant exhibits          in         the application and in current practice a commitment to         education for all homeless children and youths.(D) Such other criteria as the State Board                 determines is appropriate.(2) In determining the quality of applications under         this subsection (d), the State Board of Education shall     consider the following:(A) The applicant's assessment of needs and the                 likelihood that the services presented in the         application will meet such needs.(B) The types, intensity, and coordination of the                 services to be provided.(C) The involvement of parents or guardians of                 homeless children or youths in the education of these         children.(D) The extent to which homeless children and                 youths are effectively integrated within the regular         education program.(E) The quality of the applicant's evaluation         plan         for the services.(F) The extent to which services provided will be                 coordinated with other services available to homeless         children and youths and their families.(G) Such other measures as the State Board                 considers indicative of high-quality services, such         as the extent to which the school district will provide         case management or related services to unaccompanied         youths.(e) Grants awarded under this Section shall be for terms  not to exceed 3 years, but are subject to annual appropriation for  the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program. School districts shall use funds awarded under this Section only for those activities set forth in Section 723(d) of Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)).(f) The State Board of Education may use up to 5% of thefunds appropriated for the purposes of this Section for    administrative costs, including the hiring of positions for the    implementation and administration of the grant program,    provided that if no appropriation is made to the State Board of Education    for a given fiscal year for the purposes of the grant program,    then the State Board of Education is not required to make any expenditures    in support of the program during that fiscal year.  (Source: P.A. 96-1229, eff. 1-1-11.)