SB1983 Summary

• Amends the School Code Section 18-8.05 regarding the calculation and distribution of general State financial aid and supplemental general State aid to common schools.

• Modifies the definition of "Low-Income Concentration Level" for supplemental State aid starting with the 2003-2004 school year to use Department of Human Services data on pupils eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, or Food Stamps programs.

• Updates poverty threshold reference to use the 100% federal poverty guidelines updated periodically by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

• Clarifies that supplemental State aid calculations exclude pupils eligible for services provided by the Department of Children and Family Services, and averages low-income eligible pupil counts over preceding fiscal years (2 years for fiscal year 2004, 3 years thereafter).

• Makes technical amendments to align statutory language with federal poverty measurement standards for determining which school districts qualify for enhanced supplemental funding for disadvantaged students.