(105 ILCS 5/11E-45)

Sec. 11E-45. Hearing.

(a) No more than 15 days after the last date on which the required notice under Section 11E-40 of this Code is published, the regional superintendent of schools with whom the petition is required to be filed shall hold a hearing on the petition. Prior to the hearing, the Committee of Ten shall submit to the regional superintendent maps showing the districts involved and any other information deemed pertinent by the Committee of Ten to the proposed action. The regional superintendent of schools may adjourn the hearing from time to time or may continue the matter for want of sufficient notice or other good cause.

(b) At the hearing, the regional superintendent of schools shall allow public testimony on the action proposed in the petition. The Committee of Ten shall present, or arrange for the presentation of all of the following:

(1) Evidence as to the school needs and conditions in the territory described in the petition and the area adjacent thereto.

(2) Evidence with respect to the ability of the proposed district or districts to meet standards of recognition as prescribed by the State Board of Education.

(3) A consideration of the division of funds and assets that will occur if the petition is approved.

(4) A description of the maximum tax rates the proposed district or districts is authorized to levy for various purposes and, if applicable, the specifications related to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, in accordance with Section 11E-80 of this Code.

(5) For a non-contiguous combined school district, as specified in paragraph (3) of subsection (a), paragraph (2) of subsection (b), or paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 11E-20 of this Code, evidence that the action proposed in the petition meets the requirements of the respective paragraph.

(c) Any regional superintendent of schools entitled under the provisions of this Article to be given a copy of the petition and any resident or representative of a school district in which any territory described in the petition is situated may appear in person or by an attorney at law to provide oral or written testimony or both in relation to the action proposed in the petition.

(d) The regional superintendent of schools shall arrange for a written transcript of the hearing. The expense of the written transcript shall be borne by the petitioners and paid on behalf of the petitioners by the Committee of Ten.

(Source: P.A. 98-125, eff. 8-2-13.)