HB1371 Summary - School Choice Act

• Creates a pilot School Choice Program allowing parents in the 20 Illinois zip codes with highest lottery sales to obtain scholarships for their children to attend nonpublic schools instead of public schools.

• Establishes a maximum of 1,000 scholarships annually (2012-2016) with amounts up to the foundation level of support specified in the School Code, renewable yearly through grade 12 if pupil and custodian remain eligible.

• Requires public school principals to notify eligible families about scholarship availability and establishes application procedures through the State Board of Education between March 1 and May 1 annually.

• Funds the program through transfers from the State Lottery Fund to the Common School Fund and exempts scholarship amounts from Illinois income tax.

• Requires the State Board of Education to submit a report by December 31, 2016 assessing the program's financial and academic benefits and recommending whether to extend or expand it; the Act expires January 1, 2017.