IL HB6255

Amends the School Construction Law to prohibit the State Board of Education and Capital Development Board from denying eligibility for school construction grants based on use of grants for debt service or lease payments.

Adds protection for school districts organized prior to 1860 and located in part in cities originally incorporated prior to 1840, preventing them from being denied grants because construction projects are owned by public building commissions and leased to the district.

Authorizes qualifying school districts (organized pre-1860 and located in pre-1840 cities) to use school construction project grants to pay debt service on bonds and lease payments to public building commissions, similar to existing authority for districts with populations exceeding 500,000.

Maintains existing prohibition that school construction grants cannot be used for ongoing operational costs.

Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.