HB0443 Summary

• Creates the Illinois School Choice Program administered by the State Board of Education, allowing eligible students from low-performing public schools to use vouchers at participating non-public schools beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.

• Defines eligible pupils as kindergarten through grade 12 students who are Illinois residents and would otherwise be enrolled in a public school ranking in the lowest 10% of their district by academic performance.

• Establishes voucher amounts based on family income tiers: full foundation level for families at or below 3 times the federal poverty level, one-half foundation level for families between 3-4 times poverty level, and flat grant amount for families exceeding 4 times poverty level.

• Requires participating non-public schools to pay fees to the State Board of Education, submit enrollment and income documentation reports, and certify voucher recipients for reimbursement in quarterly installments.

• Creates the School Choice Fund as a special state treasury fund to hold fees collected from participating schools and cover administrative costs of the program.