Lincoln Promise Zone Act Summary

• Creates Lincoln Promise Zone Authorities in Rockford, Aurora, and East St. Louis to provide financial assistance for community college education during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 academic years for eligible high school graduates.

• Establishes governance boards composed of the mayor and 6 appointed members (including educators and business leaders) for Rockford and Aurora; East St. Louis board includes appointments by the State Senator from the 57th Legislative District.

• Requires promise zone development plans to include funding sources (private donations or other private sources), actuarial cost models, and may include educational improvement activities at public schools in the promise zones.

• Limits administrative costs to no more than 15% of the proposed annual budget and requires students to exhaust all other available federal, state, and local grants before receiving assistance.

• Abolishes all Authorities and repeals the Act on January 31, 2018; a review committee must report to the General Assembly on implementation by December 31, 2017.