Bill Text: IL HB4139 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish and administer a teacher reimbursement grant program for the purpose of reimbursing public school teachers for up to 8 semesters or 12 quarters of the tuition and mandatory fees paid to a public institution of higher learning in this State to obtain a Professional Educator License and teach in this State. Provides that eligible applicants shall receive a grant in the form of annual reimbursement payments over a period of up to 10 consecutive years. Sets forth provisions concerning eligibility, the grant amount, disbursement and use of a grant, application for a grant, and rulemaking. Repeals the provisions on July 1, 2040. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2022-12-22 - Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Don Harmon [HB4139 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HB4139-Engrossed.html

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HB4139 Engrossed LRB102 19996 CMG 28798 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is
amended by adding Section 65.110 as follows:
(110 ILCS 947/65.110 new)
Sec. 65.110. Teacher reimbursement grant program.
(a) To encourage and motivate Illinois students to pursue
long-term teaching careers in elementary and secondary
education and to promote the retention of teachers in this
State, the Commission shall establish and administer a teacher
reimbursement grant program to reimburse public school
teachers and students pursuing a career as a public school
teacher for the tuition and mandatory fees they paid to a
public institution of higher learning in this State in order
to obtain a Professional Educator License under Article 21B of
the School Code and to teach in this State.
(b) Each year for a period of 6 years beginning on July 1,
2022, the Commission shall receive and consider applications
for grant assistance under this Section consisting of a
maximum of 10 payments to reimburse eligible applicants for up
to 8 semesters or 12 quarters of tuition and mandatory fees
associated with obtaining a Professional Educator License. An

HB4139 Engrossed - 2 - LRB102 19996 CMG 28798 b
applicant is eligible to receive a grant under this Section if
the Commission finds that the applicant:
(1) is a resident of this State;
(2) has:
(A) satisfactorily completed a State-approved
educator preparation program at a public institution
of higher learning in this State;
(B) enrolled in a State-approved educator
preparation program at a public institution of higher
learning in this State; or
(C) plans to enroll in a State-approved educator
preparation program at a public institution of higher
learning in this State;
(3) for an applicant under subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (2) of this subsection (b):
(A) holds a Professional Educator License;
(B) is actively employed in a full-time teaching
position in any grade or subject in a public school
located in this State; and
(C) was actively employed in a full-time teaching
position in any grade or subject in a public school
located in this State for the full school year
immediately preceding the applicant's submission of an
application to participate in the program; and
(4) provides to the Commission satisfactory
documentation of the total amount of tuition and mandatory

HB4139 Engrossed - 3 - LRB102 19996 CMG 28798 b
fees paid by the applicant to the public institution of
higher learning in this State for the purpose of obtaining
a Professional Educator License.
(c) A recipient of a grant under this Section may receive
reimbursement for up to 8 semesters or 12 quarters of tuition
and mandatory fees paid by the recipient to a public
institution of higher learning in this State for the purpose
of obtaining a Professional Educator License. Any tuition and
mandatory fees paid to the institution of higher learning for
academic terms in excess of 8 semesters or 12 quarters are
ineligible for reimbursement and may not be included in any
calculation determining the total amount of the grant to be
awarded to a recipient. In no case may the amount of tuition
and mandatory fees reimbursed to a recipient under this
Section exceed the amount of tuition and mandatory fees
actually paid by the recipient to the institution of higher
learning.
(d) Each year, for up to 10 consecutive years, in which a
grant recipient submits satisfactory documentation to the
Commission verifying that the recipient was actively employed
in a full-time teaching position in a public school located in
this State for the full preceding school year, the recipient
shall receive a payment in an amount equal to one-tenth of the
total amount of tuition and mandatory fees approved by the
Commission under subsection (c).
(e) The Commission may encourage the recipient of a grant

HB4139 Engrossed - 4 - LRB102 19996 CMG 28798 b
under the program to use the grant award for repayment of the
recipient's higher educational loans, if any.
(f) The form of the application under subsection (b) and
the information required to be provided shall be determined by
the Commission. An applicant or recipient under this Section
is required to submit any documentation the Commission may
deem necessary.
(g) The provisions of this Section are subject to
appropriation.
(h) A public institution of higher learning shall provide
billing information to the recipient of a grant under this
Section. The recipient shall give the provided billing
information to the Commission.
(i) The Commission shall organize and update a database
every year of grant recipients and payments made under this
Section.
(j) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to
implement and administer this Section.
(k) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2040.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.