DENY-SCHOOL CODE WAIVER

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dale Fowler and 1 co-sponsor

The General Assembly denies Cairo Unit School District 1's waiver from the Limitation of Administrative Costs, so the district must stay within the statutory cap.

Adopted Both Houses

Overview / Purpose

Senate Joint Resolution 33 is an Illinois joint resolution directing the General Assembly’s action on a school-code waiver request. Under 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.25g (procedures for waivers of School Code mandates), the resolution denies Cairo Unit School District 1’s request (identified as waiver W100‑7446) for relief from the statutory Limitation of Administrative Costs. The resolution does not amend the School Code; it exercises the Legislature’s authority to approve or deny a specific waiver submitted by the State Board of Education.

Key provisions / What the resolution does

Formally denies the waiver request W100‑7446 by Cairo Unit School District 1 concerning the Limitation of Administrative Costs.

References the State Board of Education’s Report on Waivers of School Code Mandates (filed February 28, 2025) and the procedures in 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.25g.

Concludes that the General Assembly (both houses) does not grant the requested exemption, so the district must continue to comply with the statutory Limitation of Administrative Costs as written in the School Code.

Who is affected / Practical impact

Primary: Cairo Unit School District 1 — the district will not receive statutory relief from the Limitation of Administrative Costs and must adhere to the existing statutory caps/requirements on administrative spending.

Secondary: Local stakeholders (district administrators, school board, staff, and potentially program/service budgets) may need to plan within the existing administrative-cost limitations rather than a relaxed standard the waiver would have allowed.

Precedent/Process: This resolution demonstrates the General Assembly’s role in reviewing certain waiver requests and may influence expectations of other districts seeking similar waivers.

Procedural / Timeline highlights

State Board of Education filed its report on waivers: February 28, 2025.

Waiver-related responses returned to the State Board on or before March 6, 2025 (per 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.25g procedures).

State Board submitted the Cairo Unit School District 1 request to the General Assembly for consideration: March 13, 2025.

Legislative actions in the record include readings, committee referrals, enrollment, and final adoption. The resolution was adopted by both houses (record entries show actions in March–May 2025).

Sponsors / related: Primary sponsors listed are Rep. Paul Jacobs and Sen. Dale Fowler. A companion resolution is HJR 63.

Legal context

Authority: 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.25g — statutory process requiring the State Board to report waiver requests to the General Assembly and permitting the Legislature to approve or deny specified waivers of School Code mandates.

This resolution is a targeted legislative action denying one specific administrative‑cost waiver request; it maintains the existing statutory limitation for Cairo Unit School District 1 rather than granting a temporary or permanent exception.

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