HB4879 Summary

• Amends Illinois School Code Section 29-5 to establish state reimbursement for school district transportation costs for eligible pupils in kindergarten through grade 12.

• State reimburses transportation costs minus assessed valuation multiplied by qualifying rates: 0.05% for dual districts with grades 9-12, 0.06% for elementary districts with grades K-8, and 0.07% for unit districts with grades K-12.

• Requires school districts to maintain a 0.12% Transportation Fund tax rate to receive reimbursement exceeding 4/5 of transportation costs; districts below this rate have claims reduced accordingly.

• Establishes minimum reimbursement of $16 per eligible pupil transported and prohibits deducting early education program pupils from reimbursement eligibility if transported simultaneously with other eligible pupils.

• Specifies allowable direct costs including driver salaries, vehicle maintenance, fuel, insurance, depreciation (20% for 5 years for school buses), and indirect administrative costs capped at 5% of direct costs for districts operating their own buses.