HB4080 Summary

• Creates a new Department of Education with a Secretary of Education as head, beginning operations on July 1, 2013, to oversee K-12 and higher education coordination.

• Transfers all powers, duties, and functions from the State Board of Education, Board of Higher Education, and Illinois Community College Board to the Department on January 1, 2014, with those three boards abolished on that date.

• Establishes an Elementary and Secondary Education Division and a Vocational Education Division within the Department of Education to manage respective education matters.

• Transfers all personnel, property, records, documents, and unexpended appropriations from the abolished boards to the Department, with collective bargaining agreements continuing in effect.

• Preserves the State Board of Education's constitutional duty to appoint a State Superintendent of Education, with that superintendent reporting to the Department and receiving a salary set by the Governor.