HB6241 - Lincoln Promise Zone Act

• Allows city councils of Rockford, Aurora, and East St. Louis to establish promise zones that commit to funding tuition for community college education during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 academic years for eligible high school graduates residing in the zones.

• Requires each promise zone to raise funds from private sources (donations, grants, investment income) sufficient to cover tuition costs for an associate degree or equivalent at the local community college.

• Establishes a Lincoln Promise Zone Authority for each zone with a Board consisting of the mayor and 6 appointed members (2 educators and 2 business leaders), with different appointment procedures for East St. Louis involving the State Senator from the 57th Legislative District.

• Creates a review committee composed of members from the General Assembly's Higher Education Committees and representatives from state higher education agencies to review development plans and implementation, with a report due to the General Assembly by December 31, 2015.

• Automatically abolishes all Authorities on December 31, 2015, and repeals the entire Act on January 1, 2016.