ILCS » Chapter 105 · Act 5
Illinois Compiled Statutes

105 ILCS 5/27A-2 (2026)

Legislative declaration

✓ current as of May 2026
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(105 ILCS 5/27A-2)
    Sec. 27A-2. Legislative declaration.
    (a) The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
        (1) Encouraging educational excellence is in the best
    
interests of the people of this State.
        (2) There are educators, community members, and
    
parents in Illinois who can offer flexible and innovative educational techniques and programs, but who lack an avenue through which to provide them within the public school system.
        (3) The enactment of legislation authorizing charter
    
schools to operate in Illinois will promote new options within the public school system and will provide pupils, educators, community members, and parents with the stimulus to strive for educational excellence.
    (b) The General Assembly further finds and declares that this Article is enacted for the following purposes:
        (1) To improve pupil learning by creating schools
    
with high, rigorous standards for pupil performance.
        (2) To increase learning opportunities for all
    
pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for at-risk pupils, consistent, however, with an equal commitment to increase learning opportunities for all other groups of pupils in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, or need for special education services.
        (3) To encourage the use of teaching methods that may
    
be different in some respects than others regularly used in the public school system.
        (4) To allow the development of new, different, or
    
alternative forms of measuring pupil learning and achievement.
        (5) To create new professional opportunities for
    
teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site.
        (6) To provide parents and pupils with expanded
    
choices within the public school system.
        (7) To encourage parental and community involvement
    
with public schools.
        (8) To hold charter schools accountable for meeting
    
rigorous school content standards and to provide those schools with the opportunity to improve accountability.
    (c) In authorizing charter schools, it is the intent of the General Assembly to create a legitimate avenue for parents, teachers, and community members to take responsible risks and create new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating children within the public school system. The General Assembly seeks to create opportunities within the public school system of Illinois for development of innovative and accountable teaching techniques. The provisions of this Article should be interpreted liberally to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.
(Source: P.A. 89-450, eff. 4-10-96; 90-548, eff. 1-1-98.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2000–2024 · leading case: Tamika Graham v. Bd. of Educ. of the City, 8 F.4th 625 (7th Cir. 2021).
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Tamika Graham v. Bd. of Educ. of the City, 8 F.4th 625 (7th Cir. 2021). “105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(3). We may as- sume that a bare declaration of public status, without the at- tributes of public operation, would not suffice to produce No.”
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 3× “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), (b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Twp. High Sch. Dist. No. 227 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 2011 IL App (1st) 110182 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). · cites it 6× “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted “to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 3× “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), 27A-2(b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Tp. v. State Bd., 965 N.E.2d 13 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). · cites it 6× “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted "to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Cmty. Consol. Sch. Dist. No. 59 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ. (Ill. App. Ct. 2000). · cites it 2× “105 ILCS 5/27A-2(b) (West 1996). The Act specifically provides that its provisions are to be interpreted liberally to support the findings and goals of the Act.”
Urban Prep Academies v. Bd. of Educ. of Chicago Sch. Dist. 299, 2024 IL App (1st) 231325 (Ill. App. Ct. 2024). “§ 27A-2(b)(1)) and then “hold charter schools accountable for meeting rigorous school content standards” (id.”
— 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a) — 2 cases
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), (b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), 27A-2(b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
— 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) — 4 cases
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), (b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), 27A-2(b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Twp. High Sch. Dist. No. 227 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 2011 IL App (1st) 110182 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted “to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Tp. v. State Bd., 965 N.E.2d 13 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted "to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
— 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(3) — 3 cases
Tamika Graham v. Bd. of Educ. of the City, 8 F.4th 625 (7th Cir. 2021). “105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(3). We may as- sume that a bare declaration of public status, without the at- tributes of public operation, would not suffice to produce No.”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Twp. High Sch. Dist. No. 227 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 2011 IL App (1st) 110182 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted “to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Tp. v. State Bd., 965 N.E.2d 13 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted "to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
— 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(b) — 3 cases
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Twp. High Sch. Dist. No. 227 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 2011 IL App (1st) 110182 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted “to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Tp. v. State Bd., 965 N.E.2d 13 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted "to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Cmty. Consol. Sch. Dist. No. 59 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ. (Ill. App. Ct. 2000). “105 ILCS 5/27A-2(b) (West 1996). The Act specifically provides that its provisions are to be interpreted liberally to support the findings and goals of the Act.”
— 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(b)(2) — 2 cases
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), (b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
Bd. of Educ. of Waukegan Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 60 v. Illinois State Charter Sch. Comm'n, 2018 IL App (1st) 162084 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a), 27A-2(b), 27A-3 (West 2014).”
— 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(c) — 4 cases
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Twp. High Sch. Dist. No. 227 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ., 2011 IL App (1st) 110182 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “” 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted “to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Bd. of Educ. of Rich Tp. v. State Bd., 965 N.E.2d 13 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011). “" 105 ILCS 5/27A-2(a)(2) (West 2008). The Charter Schools Law should be liberally interpreted "to support the findings and goals of this Section and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of Illinois to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education.”
Urban Prep Academies v. Bd. of Educ. of Chicago Sch. Dist. 299, 2024 IL App (1st) 231325 (Ill. App. Ct. 2024). “§ 27A-2(b)(1)) and then “hold charter schools accountable for meeting rigorous school content standards” (id.”
Bd. of Educ. of Cmty. Consol. Sch. Dist. No. 59 v. Illinois State Bd. of Educ. (Ill. App. Ct. 2000). “105 ILCS 5/27A-2(b) (West 1996). The Act specifically provides that its provisions are to be interpreted liberally to support the findings and goals of the Act.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.