Opinion ID: 2436331
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Article 34 of School Code

Text: ¶ 15 The certified questions involve several sections of the School Code. The primary objective in construing a statute is to ascertain and give effect to the intention of the legislature. All other rules of statutory construction are subordinate to this cardinal principle. Kraft, Inc. v. Edgar, 138 Ill.2d 178, 189, 149 Ill.Dec. 286, 561 N.E.2d 656 (1990); Electrical Contractors Ass'n of City of Chicago, Inc. v. Illinois Building Authority, 33 Ill.2d 587, 591-92, 213 N.E.2d 761 (1966). The most reliable indicator of legislative intent is the language of the statute, which must be given its plain and ordinary meaning. A statute is viewed as a whole. Therefore, words and phrases are construed in light of other relevant statutory provisions and not in isolation. Hubble v. Bi-State Development Agency of the Illinois-Missouri Metropolitan District, 238 Ill.2d 262, 268, 345 Ill.Dec. 44, 938 N.E.2d 483 (2010); Williams v. Staples, 208 Ill.2d 480, 487, 281 Ill.Dec. 524, 804 N.E.2d 489 (2004). Each word, clause, and sentence of a statute must be given a reasonable meaning, if possible, and should not be rendered superfluous. Williams, 208 Ill.2d at 487, 281 Ill.Dec. 524, 804 N.E.2d 489; A.P. Properties, Inc. v. Goshinsky, 186 Ill.2d 524, 532, 239 Ill.Dec. 600, 714 N.E.2d 519 (1999). The court may consider the reason for the law, the problems sought to be remedied, the purposes to be achieved, and the consequences of construing the statute one way or another. Hubble, 238 Ill.2d at 268, 345 Ill.Dec. 44, 938 N.E.2d 483; Williams, 208 Ill.2d at 487, 281 Ill.Dec. 524, 804 N.E.2d 489. Statutory construction presents a pure question of law that we review de novo. Yang v. City of Chicago, 195 Ill.2d 96, 103, 253 Ill.Dec. 418, 745 N.E.2d 541 (2001). ¶ 16 Article 34 of the School Code applies only to cities having a population exceeding 500,000. 105 ILCS 5/34-1 (West 2010). Section 34-18 provides in pertinent part: Powers of the board. The board shall exercise general supervision and jurisdiction over the public education and the public school system of the city, and, except as otherwise provided by this Article, shall have power:    31. To promulgate rules establishing procedures governing the layoff or reduction in force of employees and the recall of such employees, including, but not limited to, criteria for such layoffs, reductions in force or recall rights of such employees and the weight to be given to any particular criterion. Such criteria shall take into account factors including, but not be limited to, qualifications, certifications, experience, performance ratings or evaluations, and any other factors relating to an employee's job performance[.] 105 ILCS 5/34-18(31) (West 2010). Further, section 34-84 of the School Code provides in pertinent part: Appointments and promotions of teachers shall be made for merit only, and after satisfactory service for a probationary period    appointments of teachers shall become permanent, subject to removal for cause in the manner provided by Section 34-85. 105 ILCS 5/34-84 (West 2010). In turn, section 34-85 sets forth the process for removing a tenured teacher for cause, including written notice of charges and a hearing. 105 ILCS 5/34-85 (West 2010).