HB5552eng 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5552 Engrossed LRB104 20645 LNS 34142 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by changing Section 5.375 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.375)

Sec. 5.375. The Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund.

(Source: P.A. 88-224; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

Section 10. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 1A-10, 2-3.11c, 2-3.25g, 2-3.39, 2-3.44, 2-3.45, 2-3.65a, 2-3.159, 3-7, 3-15.12, 10-17, 10-17a, 10-20.44, 10-20.52, 10-22.43, 10-22.43a, 14-7.02, 18-8.15, 21B-10, 21B-15, 21B-20, 21B-30, 21B-32, 21B-35, 21B-40, 22-30, 24A-20, 26A-20, 26A-25, 26A-35, 27-225, 27-605, 27-1070, 27A-6, 27A-9, 30-15.25, 34-1.01, 34-18, and 34-18.44 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/1A-10)

Sec. 1A-10. Departments of Board. The State Board of Education shall have, without limitation, the following departments within the Board:

(1) Educator Effectiveness.

(2) Improvement and Innovation.

(3) Fiscal Support Services.

(4) (Blank).

(5) Internal Auditor.

(6) Human Resources.

(7) Legal.

(8) Special Education, Nutrition, and Wellness.

(9) Multilingual or Language Development and Early Childhood Development. The State Board of Education may add, remove, or otherwise change any departments or functions of to the Board that it deems appropriate and consistent with Illinois law.

(Source: P.A. 104-261, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.11c)

Sec. 2-3.11c. Teacher supply and demand report. Through January 1, 2009, to report annually, on or before January 1, on the relative supply and demand for education staff of the public schools to the Governor, to the General Assembly, and to institutions of higher education that prepare teachers, administrators, school service personnel, other certificated individuals, and other professionals employed by school districts or joint agreements. After the report due on January 1, 2009 is submitted, future reports through January 1, 2024 shall be submitted once every 3 years, with the first report being submitted on or before January 1, 2012. After the report due on January 1, 2024 is submitted, future reports shall be submitted once every 3 years, with the first report being submitted on or before March 31, 2027. The report shall contain the following information:

(1) the relative supply and demand for teachers, administrators, and other certificated and non-certificated personnel by field, content area, and levels;

(2) State and regional analyses of fields, content areas, and levels with an over-supply or under-supply of educators; and

(3) projections of likely high demand and low demand for educators, in a manner sufficient to advise the public, individuals, and institutions regarding career opportunities in education.

(Source: P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09; 97-256, eff. 1-1-12.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.25g)

Sec. 2-3.25g. Waiver or modification of mandates within the School Code and administrative rules and regulations.

(a) In this Section:

"Board" means a school board or the governing board or administrative district, as the case may be, for a joint agreement.

"Eligible applicant" means a school district, joint agreement made up of school districts, or regional superintendent of schools on behalf of schools and programs operated by the regional office of education, or executive director of an intermediate service center on behalf of the schools and programs operated by the intermediate service center.

"Implementation date" has the meaning set forth in Section 24A-2.5 of this Code.

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this School Code or any other law of this State to the contrary, eligible applicants may petition the State Board of Education for the waiver or modification of the mandates of this School Code or of the administrative rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education. Waivers or modifications of administrative rules and regulations and modifications of mandates of this School Code may be requested when an eligible applicant demonstrates that it can address the intent of the rule or mandate in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner or when necessary to stimulate innovation or improve student performance. Waivers of mandates of the School Code may be requested when the waivers are necessary to stimulate innovation or improve student performance or when the applicant demonstrates that it can address the intent of the mandate of the School Code in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner. Waivers may not be requested from laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to special education, teacher educator licensure, or teacher tenure and seniority, or Section 5-2.1 of this Code or from compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95). Eligible applicants may not seek a waiver or seek a modification of a mandate regarding the requirements for (i) student performance data to be a significant factor in teacher or principal evaluations or (ii) teachers and principals to be rated using the 4 categories of "excellent", "proficient", "needs improvement", or "unsatisfactory". On September 1, 2014, any previously authorized waiver or modification from such requirements shall terminate.

(c) Eligible applicants, as a matter of inherent managerial policy, and any Independent Authority established under Section 2-3.25f-5 of this Code may submit an application for a waiver or modification authorized under this Section. Each application must include a written request by the eligible applicant or Independent Authority and must demonstrate that the intent of the mandate can be addressed in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner or be based upon a specific plan for improved student performance and school improvement. Any eligible applicant requesting a waiver or modification for the reason that intent of the mandate can be addressed in a more economical manner shall include in the application a fiscal analysis showing current expenditures on the mandate and projected savings resulting from the waiver or modification. Applications and plans developed by eligible applicants must be approved by the board, or regional superintendent of schools applying on behalf of schools or programs operated by the regional office of education, or executive director applying on behalf of schools or programs operated by the intermediate service center following a public hearing on the application and plan and the opportunity for the board, or regional superintendent, or executive director to hear testimony from staff directly involved in its implementation, parents, and students. The time period for such testimony shall be separate from the time period established by the eligible applicant for public comment on other matters.

(c-5) For an If the applicant that is a school district, then the district shall post information that sets forth the time, date, place, and general subject matter of the public hearing on its Internet website at least 14 days prior to the hearing. If the district is requesting to increase the fee charged for driver education authorized pursuant to Section 27-815 of this Code, the website information shall include the proposed amount of the fee the district will request. The district All school districts must publish a notice of the public hearing at least 7 days prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within the school district that sets forth the time, date, place, and general subject matter of the hearing. A district Districts requesting to increase the fee charged for driver education shall include in the published notice the proposed amount of the fee the district will request. The district shall notify, either electronically or in writing, the affected exclusive collective bargaining agents, if applicable, and those State legislators representing the district's territory of its intent to seek approval of a waiver or modification and of the public hearing to be held to take testimony from staff at least 7 days prior to the date of the public hearing, and those exclusive bargaining agents and State legislators shall be allowed to attend the public hearing. The application as submitted to the State Board of Education shall include a description of the public hearing. The description shall include, but need not be limited to, the means of notice, the number of people in attendance, the number of people who spoke as proponents or opponents of the waiver or modification, a brief description of their comments, whether there were any written statements submitted, and the school board's resolution.

(c-10) For an If the applicant that is a joint agreement, or regional superintendent, or executive director, then the joint agreement, or regional superintendent, or executive director shall post information that sets forth the time, date, place, and general subject matter of the public hearing on its Internet website at least 14 days prior to the hearing. If the joint agreement, or regional superintendent, or executive director is requesting to increase the fee charged for driver education authorized pursuant to Section 27-815 of this Code, the website information shall include the proposed amount of the fee the applicant will request. The All joint agreement, agreements and regional superintendent, or executive director superintendents must publish a notice of the public hearing at least 7 days prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in each school district that is a member of the joint agreement or that is served by the educational service region that sets forth the time, date, place, and general subject matter of the hearing, provided that a notice appearing in a newspaper generally circulated in more than one school district shall be deemed to fulfill this requirement with respect to all of the affected districts. A joint agreement, Joint agreements or regional superintendent, or executive director superintendents requesting to increase the fee charged for driver education shall include in the published notice the proposed amount of the fee the applicant will request. The joint agreement, regional superintendent, or executive director eligible applicant must notify, either electronically or in writing, the affected exclusive collective bargaining agents, if applicable, agent and those State legislators representing the eligible applicant's territory of its intent to seek approval of a waiver or modification and of the hearing to be held to take testimony from staff. The affected exclusive collective bargaining agents shall be notified of such public hearing at least 7 days prior to the date of the public hearing, and those exclusive collective bargaining agents and State legislators shall be allowed to attend such public hearing. The application as submitted to the State Board of Education shall include a description of the public hearing. The description shall include, but need not be limited to, the means of notice, the number of people in attendance, the number of people who spoke as proponents or opponents of the waiver or modification, a brief description of their comments, and whether there were any written statements submitted. The eligible applicant shall attest to compliance with all of the notification and procedural requirements set forth in this Section.

(d) A request for a waiver or modification of administrative rules and regulations or for a modification of mandates contained in this School Code shall be submitted to the State Board of Education within 15 days after approval by the board or regional superintendent of schools. The application as submitted to the State Board of Education shall include a description of the public hearing. Following receipt of the waiver or modification request, the State Board shall have 45 days to review the application and request. If the State Board fails to disapprove the application within that 45-day period, the waiver or modification shall be deemed granted. The State Board may disapprove any request if it is not based upon sound educational practices, endangers the health or safety of students or staff, compromises equal opportunities for learning, or fails to demonstrate that the intent of the rule or mandate can be addressed in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner or have improved student performance as a primary goal. Any request disapproved by the State Board may be appealed to the General Assembly by the eligible applicant as outlined in this Section.

A request for a waiver from mandates contained in this School Code shall be submitted to the State Board within 15 days after approval by the board or regional superintendent of schools or executive director. The application as submitted to the State Board of Education shall include a description of the public hearing. The description shall include, but need not be limited to, the means of notice, the number of people in attendance, the number of people who spoke as proponents or opponents of the waiver, a brief description of their comments, and whether there were any written statements submitted. The State Board shall review the applications and requests for compliance with this Section and the applicable administrative rules under Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code completeness and shall compile the requests in reports to be filed with the General Assembly. The State Board shall file reports outlining the waivers requested by eligible applicants and appeals by eligible applicants of requests disapproved by the State Board with the Senate and the House of Representatives before each March 1 and October 1.

The report shall be reviewed by a panel of 4 members consisting of:

(1) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) the President of the Senate; and

(4) the Minority Leader of the Senate. The State Board of Education may provide the panel recommendations on waiver requests. The members of the panel shall review the report submitted by the State Board of Education and submit to the State Board of Education any notice of further consideration to any waiver request within 14 days after the member receives the report. If 3 or more of the panel members submit a notice of further consideration to any waiver request contained within the report, the State Board of Education shall submit the waiver request to the General Assembly for consideration. If less than 3 panel members submit a notice of further consideration to a waiver request, the waiver may be approved, denied, or modified by the State Board. If the State Board does not act on a waiver request within 10 days, then the waiver request is approved. If the waiver request is denied by the State Board, it shall submit the waiver request to the General Assembly for consideration.

The General Assembly may disapprove any waiver request submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to this subsection (d) in whole or in part within 60 calendar days after each house of the General Assembly next convenes after the waiver request is submitted by adoption of a resolution by a record vote of the majority of members elected in each house. If the General Assembly fails to disapprove any waiver request or appealed request within such 60-day period, the waiver or modification shall be deemed granted. Any resolution adopted by the General Assembly disapproving a report of the State Board in whole or in part shall be binding on the State Board.

(e) An approved waiver or modification may remain in effect for a period not to exceed 5 school years and may be renewed upon application by the eligible applicant. Once a waiver or modification has been approved, no changes may be made to the approved waiver or modification during the term of the waiver or modification. A waiver or modification that has been approved may be rescinded by the entity that applied for the waiver or modification by providing written notice to the State Board of Education and, for a school district, after receiving school board approval. The notice of rescission must state the date the rescission is effective. However, such waiver or modification may be changed within that 5-year period by a board or regional superintendent of schools applying on behalf of schools or programs operated by the regional office of education following the procedure as set forth in this Section for the initial waiver or modification request. If neither the State Board of Education nor the General Assembly disapproves, the change is deemed granted.

(f) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.39) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.39)

Sec. 2-3.39. Department of Transitional Bilingual Education. To establish a Department of Transitional Bilingual Education. In selecting staff for the Department of Transitional Bilingual Education the State Board of Education shall give preference to persons who are natives of foreign countries other than the United States where languages to be used in transitional bilingual education programs are the predominant languages. The Department of Transitional Bilingual Education has the power and duty to:

(1) Administer and enforce the provisions of Article 14C of this Code including the power to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations.

(2) Study, review, and evaluate all available resources and programs that, in whole or in part, are or could be directed towards meeting the language capability needs of child English learners and adult English learners residing in the State.

(3) Gather information about the theory and practice of bilingual education in this State and elsewhere, and encourage experimentation and innovation in the field of bilingual education.

(4) Provide for the maximum practical involvement of parents of bilingual children, transitional bilingual education teachers, representatives of community groups, educators, and laymen knowledgeable in the field of bilingual education in the formulation of policy and procedures relating to the administration of Article 14C of this Code.

(5) Consult with other public departments and agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Public Welfare, the Division of Employment Security, the Commission Against Discrimination, and the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of Article 14C of this Code.

(6) Make recommendations in the areas of preservice and in-service training for transitional bilingual education teachers, curriculum development, testing and testing mechanisms, and the development of materials for transitional bilingual education programs.

(7) Undertake any further activities which may assist in the full implementation of Article 14C of this Code and to make an annual report to the General Assembly to include an evaluation of the program, the need for continuing such a program, and recommendations for improvement.

The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15; 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.44) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.44)

Sec. 2-3.44. Community-based heritage language Ethnic school program standards. To establish minimum standards for world foreign language instruction in community-based heritage language ethnic schools. Such standards shall seek to ensure insure that the level of world foreign language instruction in the community-based heritage language ethnic school is at least as high as the level of world foreign language instruction in public high schools. A community-based heritage language An ethnic school is a part-time part time private school that which teaches the world foreign language of a particular language community, ethnic group as well as the culture, geography, history, and other aspects of a particular language community ethnic group.

(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.45) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.45)

Sec. 2-3.45. Approval of community-based heritage language ethnic schools instruction. To approve community-based heritage language ethnic schools programs for the purpose of teaching a world foreign language if such programs meet the minimum standards established for such programs by the State Board of Education. The Board shall consider for approval only those community-based heritage language ethnic schools that which voluntarily apply to the Board for approval.

(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.65a)

Sec. 2-3.65a. Arts and world foreign language education grant program. There is created an arts and world foreign language education grant program to fund arts education and world foreign language education programs in the public schools, subject to appropriation to the State Board of Education. The grants shall be for the purpose of supporting arts and world foreign language education in the schools, with an emphasis on ensuring that art and world foreign language courses are available as part of a school's core curriculum. The State Board of Education shall enter into an agreement with the Illinois Arts Council to cooperate in administering and awarding grants under the program.

(Source: P.A. 94-835, eff. 6-6-06.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.159)

Sec. 2-3.159. State Seal of Biliteracy.

(a) In this Section, "language other than English" or "world language" "foreign language" means any language other than English, including all modern languages, Latin, American Sign Language, Native American languages, and any other native languages spoken by an individual whose first language is not English.

(b) The State Seal of Biliteracy program is established to recognize public and non-public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. School district and non-public school participation in this program is voluntary.

(c) The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:

(1) To encourage pupils to study languages.

(2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.

(3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.

(4) To provide universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission.

(5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills.

(6) To recognize the value of foreign language other than English and native language instruction in public and non-public schools.

(7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.

(d) The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career, by a graduating public or non-public high school pupil in one or more languages in addition to English.

(e) The State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish the criteria that pupils must achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy, which may include without limitation attainment of units of credit in English language arts and languages other than English and passage of such assessments of foreign language proficiency in a language other than English as may be approved by the State Board of Education for this purpose. These rules shall ensure that the criteria that pupils must achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy meet the course credit criteria established under subsection (i) of this Section.

(e-5) To demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency for eligibility to receive a State Seal of Biliteracy under this Section, the State Board of Education shall allow a pupil to provide his or her school district with evidence of completion of any of the following, in accordance with guidelines for proficiency adopted by the State Board:

(1) An AP (Advanced Placement) English Language and Composition Exam.

(2) An English language arts dual credit course.

(3) Transitional coursework in English language arts articulated in partnership with a public community college as an ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) College and Career Readiness Indicator.

(f) The State Board of Education shall do both of the following:

(1) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts and non-public schools an appropriate mechanism for designating the State Seal of Biliteracy on the diploma and transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Biliteracy by the State Board of Education.

(2) Provide other information the State Board of Education deems necessary for school districts and non-public schools to successfully participate in the program.

(g) A school district or non-public school that participates in the program under this Section shall do both of the following:

(1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy.

(2) Make the appropriate designation on the diploma and transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Biliteracy.

(h) No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive the designation pursuant to this Section. Notwithstanding this prohibition, costs may be incurred by the pupil in demonstrating proficiency, including without limitation any assessments required under subsection (e) of this Section.

(i) For admissions purposes, each public university in this State shall accept the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to 2 years of world foreign language coursework taken during high school if a student's high school transcript indicates that he or she will be receiving or has received the State Seal of Biliteracy.

(j) Each public community college and public university in this State shall establish criteria to translate a State Seal of Biliteracy into course credit based on world foreign language course equivalencies identified by the community college's or university's faculty and staff and, upon request from an enrolled student, the community college or university shall award world foreign language course credit to a student who has received a State Seal of Biliteracy. Students enrolled in a public community college or public university who have received a State Seal of Biliteracy must request course credit for their seal within 3 academic years after graduating from high school.

(Source: P.A. 101-222, eff. 1-1-20; 101-503, eff. 8-23-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-7) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-7)

Sec. 3-7. Failure to prepare and forward information. If the trustees of schools of any township in Class II county school units, or any school district which forms a part of a Class II county school unit but which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the trustees of schools of any township in which such district is located, or any school district in any Class I county school units fail to prepare and forward or cause to be prepared and forwarded to the regional superintendent of schools, reports required by this Act, the regional superintendent of schools shall furnish such information or he shall employ a person or persons to furnish such information, as far as practicable. Such person shall have access to the books, records and papers of the school district to enable him or them to prepare such reports, and the school district shall permit such person or persons to examine such books, records and papers at such time and such place as such person or persons may desire for the purpose aforesaid. For such services the regional superintendent of schools shall bill the district an amount to cover the cost of preparation of such reports if he employs a person to prepare such reports.

Each school district shall, as of June 30 of each year, cause an audit of its accounts to be made by a person lawfully qualified to practice public accounting as regulated by the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Such audit shall include financial statements of the district applicable to the type of records required by other sections of this Act and in addition shall set forth the scope of audit and shall include the professional opinion signed by the auditor, or if such an opinion is denied by the auditor, shall set forth the reasons for such denial.

The auditing firm for each school district shall file with the State Board of Education the Annual Financial Report and audit, as required by the rules of the State Board of Education. Such reports shall be filed no later than October 15 following the end of each fiscal year. The auditing firm may request an extension of up to 60 days from the State Board of Education.

Within 30 days after receipt of the completed audit report, each Each school district shall, on or before October 15 of each year, submit one copy of the Annual Financial Report and its audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the educational service region having jurisdiction. Each regional superintendent of schools shall determine and communicate to school districts the preferred format, paper or electronic, for the submission.

Each school district that is the administrative district for several school districts operating under a joint agreement as authorized by this Act shall, as of June 30 each year, cause an audit of the accounts of the joint agreement to be made by a person lawfully qualified to practice public accounting as regulated by the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Such audit shall include financial statements of the operation of the joint agreement applicable to the type of records required by this Act and, in addition, shall set forth the scope of the audit and shall include the professional opinion signed by the auditor, or if such an opinion is denied, the auditor shall set forth the reason for such denial.

The auditing firm for each joint agreement shall file with the State Board of Education the Annual Financial Report and audit, as required by the rules of the State Board of Education. Such reports shall be filed no later than October 15 following the end of each fiscal year. The auditing firm may request an extension of up to 60 days from the State Board of Education.

Within 30 days after receipt of the completed audit report, each Each joint agreement shall, on or before October 15 of each year, submit one copy of the Annual Financial Report and its audit to the regional superintendent of schools in the educational service region having jurisdiction. Each regional superintendent of schools shall determine and communicate to joint agreements the preferred format, paper or electronic, for the submission.

The State Board of Education shall determine the adequacy of the audits. All audits shall be kept on file in the office of the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 104-261, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/3-15.12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.12)

Sec. 3-15.12. High school equivalency. The regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board shall make available for qualified individuals residing within the region a High School Equivalency Testing Program and alternative methods of credentialing, as identified under this Section. For that purpose the regional superintendent alone or with other regional superintendents may establish and supervise a testing center or centers to administer the secure forms for high school equivalency testing to qualified persons. Such centers shall be under the supervision of the regional superintendent in whose region such centers are located, subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board. The Illinois Community College Board shall also establish criteria and make available alternative methods of credentialing throughout the State.

An individual is eligible to apply to the regional superintendent of schools for the region in which he or she resides if he or she is: (a) a person who is 17 years of age or older, has maintained residence in the State of Illinois, and is not a high school graduate; (b) a person who is successfully completing an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B; or (c) a person who is enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard. For purposes of this Section, residence is that abode which the applicant considers his or her home. Applicants may provide as sufficient proof of such residence and as an acceptable form of identification a driver's license, valid passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued national or foreign identification that shows the applicant's name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph or other acceptable identification as may be allowed by law or as regulated by the Illinois Community College Board. Such regional superintendent shall determine if the applicant meets statutory and regulatory state standards.

If qualified, the applicant shall at the time of such application pay a fee established by the Illinois Community College Board, which fee shall be paid into a special fund under the control and supervision of the regional superintendent to be used for administration of high school equivalency testing. Such moneys received by the regional superintendent shall be used, first, for the expenses incurred in administering and scoring the examination, and next for other educational programs that are developed and designed by the regional superintendent of schools to assist those who successfully complete high school equivalency testing or meet the criteria for alternative methods of credentialing in furthering their academic development or their ability to secure and retain gainful employment, including programs for the competitive award based on test scores of college or adult education scholarship grants or similar educational incentives. Any excess moneys shall be paid into the institute fund.

Any applicant who has achieved the minimum passing standards as established by the Illinois Community College Board shall be notified in writing by the regional superintendent and shall be issued a State of Illinois High School Diploma on the forms provided by the Illinois Community College Board. The regional superintendent shall then certify to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and such other and additional information that may be required by the Illinois Community College Board. The moneys received therefrom shall be used in the same manner as provided for in this Section.

The Illinois Community College Board shall establish alternative methods of credentialing for the issuance of a State of Illinois High School Diploma. In addition to high school equivalency testing, the following alternative methods of receiving a State of Illinois High School Diploma shall be made available to qualified individuals on or after January 1, 2018:

(A) High School Equivalency based on High School Credit. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her high school transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria as established by the Illinois Community College Board.

(B) High School Equivalency based on Post-Secondary Credit. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her post-secondary transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria established by the Illinois Community College Board.

(C) High School Equivalency based on a Foreign Diploma. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her foreign high school or post-secondary transcripts from a country other than the United States evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria established by the Illinois Community College Board.

(D) High School Equivalency based on Completion of a Competency-Based Program as approved by the Illinois Community College Board. The Illinois Community College Board shall establish guidelines for competency-based high school equivalency programs.

Any applicant who has attained the age of 17 years and maintained residence in the State of Illinois and is not a high school graduate, any person who has enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, or any person who has successfully completed an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B is eligible to apply for a State of Illinois High School Diploma (if he or she meets the requirements prescribed by the Illinois Community College Board) upon showing evidence that he or she has completed, successfully, high school equivalency testing, administered by the United States Armed Forces Institute, official high school equivalency testing centers established in other states, Veterans' Administration Hospitals, or the office of the State Superintendent of Education for the Illinois State Penitentiary System and the Department of Corrections. Such applicant shall apply to the regional superintendent of the region wherein he or she has maintained residence, and, upon payment of a fee established by the Illinois Community College Board, the regional superintendent shall issue a State of Illinois High School Diploma and immediately thereafter certify to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and such other and additional information as may be required by the Illinois Community College Board.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, any applicant who has been out of school for at least one year may request the regional superintendent of schools to administer restricted high school equivalency testing upon written request of: the director of a program who certifies to the Chief Examiner of an official high school equivalency testing center that the applicant has completed a program of instruction provided by such agencies as the Job Corps, the Postal Service Academy, or an apprenticeship training program; an employer or program director for purposes of entry into apprenticeship programs; another state's department of education in order to meet regulations established by that department of education; or a post high school educational institution for purposes of admission, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for licensing purposes, or the Armed Forces for induction purposes. The regional superintendent shall administer such testing, and the applicant shall be notified in writing that he or she is eligible to receive a State of Illinois High School Diploma upon reaching age 17, provided he or she meets the standards established by the Illinois Community College Board.

Any test administered under this Section to an applicant who does not speak and understand English may at the discretion of the administering agency be given and answered in any language in which the test is printed. The regional superintendent of schools may waive any fees required by this Section in case of hardship. The regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board shall waive any fees required by this Section for an applicant who meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The applicant qualifies as a homeless person, child, or youth as defined in the Education for Homeless Children Act.

(2) The applicant has not attained 25 years of age as of the date of the scheduled test.

(3) The applicant can verify his or her status as a homeless person, child, or youth. A homeless services provider that is qualified to verify an individual's housing status, as determined by the Illinois Community College Board, and that has knowledge of the applicant's housing status may verify the applicant's status for purposes of this subdivision (3).

(4) The applicant has completed a high school equivalency preparation course through an Illinois Community College Board-approved provider.

(5) The applicant is taking the test at a testing center operated by a regional superintendent of schools or the Cook County High School Equivalency Office.

In counties of over 3,000,000 population, a State of Illinois High School Diploma shall contain the signatures of the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board and the superintendent, president, or other chief executive officer of the institution where high school equivalency testing instruction occurred and any other signatures authorized by the Illinois Community College Board.

The regional superintendent of schools shall furnish the Illinois Community College Board with any information that the Illinois Community College Board requests with regard to testing and diplomas under this Section.

A State of Illinois High School Diploma is a recognized high school equivalency certificate for purposes of reciprocity with other states. A high school equivalency certificate from another state is equivalent to a State of Illinois High School Diploma.

(Source: P.A. 102-1100, eff. 1-1-23; 103-940, eff. 8-9-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-17) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-17)

Sec. 10-17. Statement of affairs.

(a) In Class I or Class II county school units the school board may use either a cash basis or accrual system of accounting; however, any board so electing to use the accrual system may not change to a cash basis without the permission of the State Board of Education.

School Boards using either a cash basis or accrual system of accounting shall maintain records showing the assets, liabilities and fund balances in such minimum forms as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education. No later than December 1 annually, such a school board shall make available to the public a statement of the affairs of the school district by posting the entire statement of affairs on the district's Internet website and by publishing a summary of the statement of affairs in a newspaper of general circulation. If a school district does not maintain an Internet website, the district must publish the entire statement of affairs in a newspaper of general circulation or have copies of the entire statement of affairs available in the main administrative office of the district.

The summary of the public statement of affairs published in a newspaper of general circulation of the district shall contain a minimum of all of the following information, in addition to the other requirements of this Section:

(1) (Blank).

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection (a), a listing of all moneys paid out by the district where the total amount paid during the fiscal year exceeds $2,500 in the aggregate per person, giving the name of each person to whom moneys were paid and the total paid to each person.

(3) A listing of all personnel, by name, with an annual fiscal year gross payment in the categories set forth in subdivision subdivisions 1 and 2 of subsection (c) of this Section. In this Section, "newspaper of general circulation" means a newspaper of general circulation published in the school district, or, if no newspaper is published in the school district, a newspaper published in the county where the school district is located or, if no newspaper is published in the county, a newspaper published in the educational service region where the regional superintendent of schools has supervision and control of the school district.

(b) When any school district is the administrative district for several school districts operating under a joint agreement as authorized by this Code, no receipts or disbursements accruing, received or paid out by that school district as such an administrative district shall be included in the statement of affairs of the district required by this Section. However, that district shall have prepared and made available to the public, in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section, in the same manner and subject to the same requirements as are provided in this Section for the statement of affairs of that district, a statement of affairs for the joint agreement, in the form prescribed by the State Board of Education. The costs of publishing this separate statement prepared by such an administrative district shall be apportioned among and paid by the participating districts in the same manner as other costs and expenses accruing to those districts jointly.

(c) The statement of affairs required to be posted on the district's Internet website or made available in the main administrative office of the district as provided under subsection (a) pursuant to this Section shall contain such information as may be required by the State Board of Education, including:

1. (Blank).

2. Annual fiscal year payment for non-certificated personnel to be shown by name, listing each employee in one of the following categories:

(a) Under $39,999

(b) $40,000 to $54,999

(c) $55,000 to $74,999

(d) $75,000 and over

3. Excluding wages and salaries, all other moneys in the aggregate paid to recipients of $1,000 or more, giving the name of the person, firm or corporation and the total amount received by each. This listing shall be inclusive of moneys expended from any revolving fund maintained by the school district.

4. Approximate size of school district in square miles.

5. Number of school attendance centers.

6. Numbers of employees as follows:

(a) Full-time certificated employees;

(b) Part-time certificated employees;

(c) Full-time non-certificated employees;

(d) Part-time non-certificated employees.

7. (Blank).

8. (Blank).

9. Tax rate for each district fund.

10. (Blank).

11. (Blank).

12. (Blank).

13. (Blank).

14. (Blank).

15. (Blank).

16. A report on contracts, as required in Section 10-20.44.

This Section does not apply to cities having a population exceeding 500,000.

(Source: P.A. 104-261, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-17a)

Sec. 10-17a. State, school district, and school report cards; Expanded High School Snapshot Report.

(1) By October 31, 2013 and October 31 of each subsequent school year, the State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, shall prepare a State report card, school district report cards, and school report cards, and shall by the most economical means provide to each school district in this State, including special charter districts and districts subject to the provisions of Article 34, the report cards for the school district and each of its schools. Because of the impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency during school year 2020-2021, the State Board of Education shall have until December 31, 2021 to prepare and provide the report cards that would otherwise be due by October 31, 2021. During a school year in which the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, the report cards for the school districts and each of its schools shall be prepared by December 31.

(2) In addition to any information required by federal law, the State Superintendent shall determine the indicators and presentation of the school report card, which must include, at a minimum, the most current data collected and maintained by the State Board of Education related to the following:

(A) school characteristics and student demographics, including average class size, average teaching experience, student racial/ethnic breakdown, and the percentage of students classified as low-income; the percentage of students classified as English learners, the number of students who graduate from a bilingual or English learner program, and the number of students who graduate from, transfer from, or otherwise leave bilingual programs; the percentage of students who have individualized education plans or 504 plans that provide for special education services; the number and the percentage of all students in grades kindergarten through 8, disaggregated by the student demographics described in this paragraph (A), in each of the following categories: (i) those who have been assessed for placement in a gifted education program or accelerated placement, (ii) those who have enrolled in a gifted education program or in accelerated placement, and (iii) for each of categories (i) and (ii), those who received direct instruction from a teacher who holds a gifted education endorsement; the number and the percentage of all students in grades 9 through 12, disaggregated by the student demographics described in this paragraph (A), who have been enrolled in an advanced academic program; the percentage of students scoring at the "exceeds expectations" level on the assessments required under Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code; the percentage of students who annually transferred in or out of the school district; average daily attendance; the per-pupil operating expenditure of the school district; and the per-pupil State average operating expenditure for the district type (elementary, high school, or unit);

(B) curriculum information, including, where applicable, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or equivalent courses, dual credit courses, world foreign language classes, computer science courses, school personnel resources (including Career Technical Education teachers), before and after school programs, extracurricular activities, subjects in which elective classes are offered, health and wellness initiatives (including the average number of days of Physical Education per week per student), approved programs of study, awards received, community partnerships, and special programs such as programming for the gifted and talented, students with disabilities, and work-study students;

(C) student outcomes, including, where applicable, the percentage of students deemed proficient on assessments of State standards, the percentage of students in the eighth grade who pass Algebra, the percentage of students who participated in workplace learning experiences, the percentage of students enrolled in post-secondary institutions (including colleges, universities, community colleges, trade/vocational schools, and training programs leading to career certification within 2 semesters of high school graduation), the percentage of students graduating from high school who are college and career ready, the percentage of graduates enrolled in community colleges, colleges, and universities who are in one or more courses that the community college, college, or university identifies as a developmental course, and the percentage of students with disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Article 14 of this Code who have fulfilled the minimum State graduation requirements set forth in Section 27-605 of this Code and have been issued a regular high school diploma;

(D) student progress, including, where applicable, the percentage of students in the ninth grade who have earned 5 credits or more without failing more than one core class, a measure of students entering kindergarten ready to learn, a measure of growth, and the percentage of students who enter high school on track for college and career readiness;

(E) the school environment, including, where applicable, high school dropout rate by grade level, the percentage of students with less than 10 absences in a school year, the percentage of teachers with less than 10 absences in a school year for reasons other than professional development, leaves taken pursuant to the federal Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, long-term disability, or parental leaves, the 3-year average of the percentage of teachers returning to the school from the previous year, the number of different principals at the school in the last 6 years, the number of teachers who hold a gifted education endorsement, the process and criteria used by the district to determine whether a student is eligible for participation in a gifted education program or advanced academic program and the manner in which parents and guardians are made aware of the process and criteria, the number of teachers who are National Board Certified Teachers, disaggregated by race and ethnicity, 2 or more indicators from any school climate survey selected or approved by the State and administered pursuant to Section 2-3.153 of this Code, with the same or similar indicators included on school report cards for all surveys selected or approved by the State pursuant to Section 2-3.153 of this Code, the combined percentage of teachers rated as proficient or excellent in their most recent evaluation, and, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, data on the number of incidents of violence that occurred on school grounds or during school-related activities and that resulted in an out-of-school suspension, expulsion, or removal to an alternative setting, as reported pursuant to Section 2-3.162;

(F) a school district's and its individual schools' balanced accountability measure, in accordance with Section 2-3.25a of this Code;

(G) the total and per pupil normal cost amount the State contributed to the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois in the prior fiscal year for the school's employees, which shall be reported to the State Board of Education by the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois;

(H) for a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code only, State contributions to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago and State contributions for health care for employees of that school district;

(I) a school district's Final Percent of Adequacy, as defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (f) of Section 18-8.15 of this Code;

(J) a school district's Local Capacity Target, as defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 18-8.15 of this Code, displayed as a percentage amount;

(K) a school district's Real Receipts, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Section 18-8.15 of this Code, divided by a school district's Adequacy Target, as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Section 18-8.15 of this Code, displayed as a percentage amount;

(L) a school district's administrative costs;

(M) whether or not the school has participated in the Illinois Youth Survey. In this paragraph (M), "Illinois Youth Survey" means a self-report survey, administered in school settings every 2 years, designed to gather information about health and social indicators, including substance abuse patterns and the attitudes of students in grades 8, 10, and 12;

(N) whether the school offered its students career and technical education opportunities; and

(O) beginning with the October 2024 report card, the total number of school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, and school psychologists by school, district, and State, the average number of students per school counselor in the school, district, and State, the average number of students per school social worker in the school, district, and State, the average number of students per school nurse in the school, district, and State, and the average number of students per school psychologist in the school, district, and State.

The school report card shall also provide information that allows for comparing the current outcome, progress, and environment data to the State average, to the school data from the past 5 years, and to the outcomes, progress, and environment of similar schools based on the type of school and enrollment of low-income students, special education students, and English learners.

As used in this subsection (2):

"Accelerated placement" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 14A-17 of this Code.

"Administrative costs" means costs associated with executive, administrative, or managerial functions within the school district that involve planning, organizing, managing, or directing the school district.

"Advanced academic program" means a course of study, including, but not limited to, accelerated placement, advanced placement coursework, International Baccalaureate coursework, dual credit, or any course designated as enriched or honors, that a student is enrolled in based on advanced cognitive ability or advanced academic achievement compared to local age peers and in which the curriculum is substantially differentiated from the general curriculum to provide appropriate challenge and pace.

"Computer science" means the study of computers and algorithms, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation, and their impact on society. "Computer science" does not include the study of everyday uses of computers and computer applications, such as keyboarding or accessing the Internet.

"Gifted education" means educational services, including differentiated curricula and instructional methods, designed to meet the needs of gifted children as defined in Article 14A of this Code.

For the purposes of paragraph (A) of this subsection (2), "average daily attendance" means the average of the actual number of attendance days during the previous school year for any enrolled student who is subject to compulsory attendance by Section 26-1 of this Code at each school and charter school.

(2.5) For any school report card prepared after July 1, 2025, for all high school graduation completion rates that are reported on the school report card as required under this Section or by any other State or federal law, the State Superintendent of Education shall also report the percentage of students who did not meet the requirements of high school graduation completion for any reason and, of those students, the percentage that are classified as students who fulfill the requirements of Section 14-16 of this Code.

The State Superintendent shall ensure that for the 2023-2024 school year there is a specific code for districts to report students who fulfill the requirements of Section 14-16 of this Code to ensure accurate reporting under this Section.

All reporting requirements under this subsection (2.5) shall be included on the school report card where high school graduation completion rates are reported, along with a brief explanation of how fulfilling the requirements of Section 14-16 of this Code is different from receiving a regular high school diploma.

(3) At the discretion of the State Superintendent, the school district report card shall include a subset of the information identified in paragraphs (A) through (E) of subsection (2) of this Section, as well as information relating to the operating expense per pupil and other finances of the school district, and the State report card shall include a subset of the information identified in paragraphs (A) through (E) and paragraph (N) of subsection (2) of this Section. The school district report card shall include the average daily attendance, as that term is defined in subsection (2) of this Section, of students who have individualized education programs and students who have 504 plans that provide for special education services within the school district.

(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, in consultation with key education stakeholders, the State Superintendent shall at any time have the discretion to amend or update any and all metrics on the school, district, or State report card.

(5) Annually, no more than 30 calendar days after receipt of the school district and school report cards from the State Superintendent of Education, each school district, including special charter districts and districts subject to the provisions of Article 34, shall present such report cards at a regular school board meeting subject to applicable notice requirements, post the report cards on the school district's Internet web site, if the district maintains an Internet web site, make the report cards available to a newspaper of general circulation serving the district, and, upon request, send the report cards home to a parent (unless the district does not maintain an Internet web site, in which case the report card shall be sent home to parents without request). If the district posts the report card on its Internet web site, the district shall send a written notice home to parents stating (i) that the report card is available on the web site, (ii) the address of the web site, (iii) that a printed copy of the report card will be sent to parents upon request, and (iv) the telephone number that parents may call to request a printed copy of the report card.

(6) Nothing contained in Public Act 98-648 repeals, supersedes, invalidates, or nullifies final decisions in lawsuits pending on July 1, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-648) in Illinois courts involving the interpretation of Public Act 97-8.

(7) As used in this subsection (7):

"Advanced coursework or programs" means any high school courses, sequence of courses, or class or grouping of students organized to provide more rigorous, enriched, advanced, accelerated, gifted, or above grade-level instruction. This may include, but is not limited to, Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, honors, weighted, advanced, or enriched courses, or gifted or accelerated programs, classrooms, or courses.

"Course" means any high school class or course offered by a school that is assigned a school course code by the State Board of Education.

"High school" means a school that maintains any of grades 9 through 12.

"Standard coursework or programs" means any high school courses or classes other than advanced coursework or programs.

By December 31, 2027 and by December 31 of each subsequent year, the State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, shall prepare a stand-alone report covering all public high schools in this State, to be referred to as the Expanded High School Coursework Snapshot Report. The State Board shall post the Report on the State Board's Internet website. Each school district with high school enrollment for the reporting year shall include on the school district's Internet website, if the district maintains an Internet website, a hyperlink to the Report on the State Board's Internet website titled "Expanded High School Coursework Snapshot Report". Hyperlinks under this subsection (7) shall be displayed in a manner that is easily accessible to the public.

The Expanded High School Coursework Snapshot Report shall include:

(A) a listing of all standard coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment;

(B) a listing of all advanced coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment;

(C) a listing of all coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by English learners;

(D) a listing of all coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by students with disabilities;

(E) data tables and graphs comparing advanced coursework or programs enrollment with standard coursework or programs enrollment according to the following parameters:

(i) the average years of experience of all teachers in a high school who are assigned to teach advanced coursework or programs compared with the average years of experience of all teachers in the high school who are assigned to teach standard coursework or programs;

(ii) the average years of experience of all teachers in a high school who are assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school enrollment by students with disabilities compared with the average years of experience of all teachers in the high school who are not assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by students with disabilities;

(iii) the average years of experience of all teachers in a high school who are assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by English learners compared with the average years of experience of all teachers in the high school who are not assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by English learners;

(iv) the number of high school teachers who possess bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or higher degrees and who are assigned to teach advanced coursework or programs compared with the number of teachers who possess bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or higher degrees and who are assigned to teach standard coursework or programs;

(v) the number of high school teachers who possess bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or higher degrees and who are assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by students with disabilities compared with the number of teachers who possess bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or higher degrees and who are not assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by students with disabilities;

(vi) the number of high school teachers who possess bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or higher degrees and who are assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by English learners compared with the number of teachers who possess bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or higher degrees and who are not assigned to teach coursework or programs that have high school student enrollment by English learners;

(vii) the average student enrollment of advanced coursework or programs offered in a high school compared with the average student enrollment of standard coursework or programs;

(viii) the percentages of high school students, by race, gender, and program student group, who are enrolled in advanced coursework or programs;

(ix) (blank);

(x) (blank);

(xi) (blank);

(xii) (blank);

(xiii) (blank);

(xiv) the percentage of high school students, by race, gender, and program student group, who earn the equivalent of a C grade or higher on a grade A through F scale in one or more advanced coursework or programs compared with the percentage of high school students, by race, gender, and program student group, who earn the equivalent of a C grade or higher on a grade A through F scale in one or more standard coursework or programs;

(xv) (blank);

(xvi) (blank); and

(F) data tables and graphs for each race and ethnicity category and gender category describing:

(i) the total student number and student percentage for Advanced Placement courses taken by race and ethnicity category and gender category;

(ii) the total student number and student percentage for International Baccalaureate courses taken by race and ethnicity category and gender category;

(iii) (blank);

(iv) (blank); and

(v) the total student number and student percentage of high school students who earn a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement exam associated with an Advanced Placement course.

For data on teacher experience and education under this subsection (7), a teacher who teaches a combination of courses designated as advanced coursework or programs, courses or programs that have high school student enrollment by English learners, or standard coursework or programs shall be included in all relevant categories and the teacher's level of experience shall be added to the categories.

(Source: P.A. 103-116, eff. 6-30-23; 103-263, eff. 6-30-23; 103-413, eff, 1-1-24; 103-503, eff. 1-1-24; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-780, eff. 8-2-24; 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.44)

Sec. 10-20.44. Report on contracts.

(a) This Section applies to all school districts, including a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code.

(b) A school board must list on the district's Internet website, if any, all contracts over $25,000 and any contract that the school board enters into with an exclusive bargaining representative.

(c) Each year, in conjunction with the publication of the Statement of Affairs as required under Section 10-17 on the district's Internet website and in a newspaper of general circulation prior to December 1, provided for in Section 10-17, each school district shall include an annual report on all contracts over $25,000 awarded by the school district during the previous fiscal year. The report shall include at least the following:

(1) the total number of all contracts awarded by the school district;

(2) the total value of all contracts awarded;

(3) the number of contracts awarded to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities, as defined in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and locally owned businesses; and

(4) the total value of contracts awarded to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities, as defined in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and locally owned businesses.

The report shall be made available to the public, including publication on the school district's Internet website, if any.

(Source: P.A. 104-261, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.52)

Sec. 10-20.52. American Sign Language courses. School boards are encouraged to implement American Sign Language courses into school world foreign language curricula.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-22.43) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.43)

Sec. 10-22.43. Credit for Proficiency in World Foreign Language. To grant one year of high school world foreign language credit to any student who has graduated from an accredited elementary school and who can demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. For purposes of this Section, proficiency in American Sign Language shall be deemed proficiency in a world foreign language for which one year of high school world foreign language credit may be granted. Proficiency shall be determined by academic criteria acceptable to local school boards.

(Source: P.A. 86-623.)

(105 ILCS 5/10-22.43a) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.43a)

Sec. 10-22.43a. World Foreign language credit. To award or provide for the awarding of high school credit to high school students who have studied a world foreign language in an approved community-based heritage language ethnic school program. The amount of credit awarded shall be roughly equivalent to the amount of credit the student would have received if he or she had reached the same level of world foreign language proficiency at a public high school as he or she achieved at the community-based heritage language ethnic school. The school board may require a student seeking world foreign language credit under this Section to successfully complete a world foreign language proficiency examination.

(Source: P.A. 83-794.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.02) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.02)

Sec. 14-7.02. Children attending private special education schools, separate public special education day schools, public out-of-state schools, public school residential facilities, or private special education facilities.

(a) The General Assembly recognizes that non-public schools or special education facilities provide an important service in the educational system in Illinois.

(b) If a student's individualized education program (IEP) team determines that because of his or her disability the special education program of a district is unable to meet the needs of the child and the child attends a non-public school or special education facility, a public out-of-state school or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit that provides special educational services required by the child and is in compliance with the appropriate rules and regulations of the State Superintendent of Education, the school district in which the child is a resident shall pay the actual cost of tuition for special education and related services provided during the regular school term and during the summer school term if the child's educational needs so require, excluding room, board and transportation costs charged the child by that non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school or county special education facility, or $4,500 per year, whichever is less, and shall provide him any necessary transportation. "Nonpublic special education facility" shall include a residential facility, within or without the State of Illinois, which provides special education and related services to meet the needs of the child by utilizing private schools or public schools, whether located on the site or off the site of the residential facility. Resident district financial responsibility and reimbursement applies for both nonpublic special education facilities that are approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 401 or other applicable laws or rules and for emergency residential placements in nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 401 or other applicable laws or rules, subject to the requirements of this Section.

(c) Prior to the placement of a child in an out-of-state special education residential facility, the school district must refer to the child or the child's parent or guardian the option to place the child in a special education residential facility located within this State, if any, that provides treatment and services comparable to those provided by the out-of-state special education residential facility. The school district must review annually the placement of a child in an out-of-state special education residential facility. As a part of the review, the school district must refer to the child or the child's parent or guardian the option to place the child in a comparable special education residential facility located within this State, if any.

(c-5) Before a provider that operates a nonpublic special education facility terminates a student's placement in that facility, the provider must request an IEP meeting from the contracting school district. If the provider elects to terminate the student's placement following the IEP meeting, the provider must give written notice to this effect to the parent or guardian, the contracting public school district, and the State Board of Education no later than 20 business days before the date of termination, unless the health and safety of any student are endangered. The notice must include the detailed reasons for the termination and any actions taken to address the reason for the termination.

(d) Payments shall be made by the resident school district to the entity providing the educational services, whether the entity is the nonpublic special education facility or the school district wherein the facility is located, no less than once per quarter, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties.

(e) A school district may residentially place a student in a nonpublic special education facility providing educational services, but not approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 401 or other applicable laws or rules, provided that the State Board of Education provides an emergency and student-specific approval for residential placement. The State Board of Education shall promptly, within 10 days after the request, approve a request for emergency and student-specific approval for residential placement if the following have been demonstrated to the State Board of Education:

(1) the facility demonstrates appropriate licensure of teachers for the student population;

(2) the facility demonstrates age-appropriate curriculum;

(3) the facility provides enrollment and attendance data;

(4) the facility demonstrates the ability to implement the child's IEP; and

(5) the school district demonstrates that it made good faith efforts to residentially place the student in an approved facility, but no approved facility has accepted the student or has availability for immediate residential placement of the student. A resident school district may also submit such proof to the State Board of Education as may be required for its student. The State Board of Education may not unreasonably withhold approval once satisfactory proof is provided to the State Board.

(f) If an impartial due process hearing officer who is contracted by the State Board of Education pursuant to this Article orders placement of a student with a disability in a residential facility that is not approved by the State Board of Education, then, for purposes of this Section, the facility shall be deemed approved for placement and school district payments and State reimbursements shall be made accordingly.

(g) Emergency residential placement in a facility approved pursuant to subsection (e) or (f) may continue to be utilized so long as (i) the student's IEP team determines annually that such placement continues to be appropriate to meet the student's needs and (ii) at least every 3 years following the student's residential placement, the IEP team reviews appropriate placements approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 401 or other applicable laws or rules to determine whether there are any approved placements that can meet the student's needs, have accepted the student, and have availability for placement of the student.

(h) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations for determining when placement in a private special education facility is appropriate. Such rules and regulations shall take into account the various types of services needed by a child and the availability of such services to the particular child in the public school. In developing these rules and regulations the State Board of Education shall consult with the Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities and hold public hearings to secure recommendations from parents, school personnel, and others concerned about this matter.

The State Board of Education shall also promulgate rules and regulations for transportation to and from a residential school. Transportation to and from home to a residential school more than once each school term shall be subject to prior approval by the State Superintendent in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board.

(i) A school district making tuition payments pursuant to this Section is eligible for reimbursement from the State for the amount of such payments actually made in excess of the district per capita tuition charge for students not receiving special education services. Such reimbursement shall be approved in accordance with Section 14-12.01 and each district shall file its claims, computed in accordance with rules prescribed by the State Board of Education, on forms prescribed by the State Superintendent of Education. Data used as a basis of reimbursement claims shall be for the preceding regular school term and summer school term. Each school district shall transmit its claims to the State Board of Education on or before August 15. However, for claims payable in Fiscal Year 2026, each school district shall transmit its claims to the State Board of Education on or before September 15. The State Board of Education, before approving any such claims, shall determine their accuracy and whether they are based upon services and facilities provided under approved programs. Upon approval the State Board shall cause vouchers to be prepared showing the amount due for payment of reimbursement claims to school districts, for transmittal to the State Comptroller on the 30th day of September, December, and March, respectively, and the final voucher, no later than June 20. However, for vouchers payable in Fiscal Year 2026, upon approval the State Board of Education shall cause vouchers to be prepared showing the amount due for payment of reimbursement claims to school districts, for transmittal to the State Comptroller on the 30th day of November, December, and March, respectively, and the final voucher, no later than June 20. If the money appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose for any year is insufficient, it shall be apportioned on the basis of the claims approved.

(j) No child shall be placed in a special education program pursuant to this Section if the tuition cost for special education and related services increases more than 10 percent over the tuition cost for the previous school year or exceeds $4,500 per year unless such costs have been approved by the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board. The Illinois Purchased Care Review Board shall consist of the following persons, or their designees: the Directors of Children and Family Services, Public Health, Healthcare and Family Services, Public Aid, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget; the Secretary of Human Services and one member designated by the Secretary representing the Division of Developmental Disabilities or the Division of Rehabilitation Services; the State Superintendent of Education; and such other persons as the Governor may designate. The Review Board shall also consist of one non-voting member who is an administrator of a private, nonpublic, special education school, one non-voting member who is an administrator of a separate public special education day school, and one non-voting member from a State agency that administers and provides early childhood education and care programs and services to children and families. The Review Board shall establish rules and regulations for its determination of allowable costs and payments made by local school districts for special education, room and board, and other related services provided by non-public schools, separate public special education day schools, or special education facilities and shall establish uniform standards and criteria which it shall follow. The Review Board shall approve the usual and customary rate or rates of a special education program that (i) is offered by an out-of-state, non-public provider of integrated autism specific educational and autism specific residential services, (ii) offers 2 or more levels of residential care, including at least one locked facility, and (iii) serves 12 or fewer Illinois students.

(k) In determining rates based on allowable costs, the Review Board shall consider any wage increases awarded by the General Assembly to front line personnel defined as direct support persons, aides, front-line supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff working in service settings in community-based settings within the State and adjust customary rates or rates of a special education program to be equitable to the wage increase awarded to similar staff positions in a community residential setting. Any wage increase awarded by the General Assembly to front line personnel defined as direct support persons, aides, front-line supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff working in community-based settings within the State, including the $0.75 per hour increase contained in Public Act 100-23 and the $0.50 per hour increase included in Public Act 100-23, shall also be a basis for any facility covered by this Section to appeal its rate before the Review Board under the process defined in Title 89, Part 900, Section 340 of the Illinois Administrative Code. Illinois Administrative Code Title 89, Part 900, Section 342 shall be updated to recognize wage increases awarded to community-based settings to be a basis for appeal. However, any wage increase that is captured upon appeal from a previous year shall not be counted by the Review Board as revenue for the purpose of calculating a facility's future rate.

(l) Any definition used by the Review Board in administrative rule or policy to define "related organizations" shall include any and all exceptions contained in federal law or regulation as it pertains to the federal definition of "related organizations".

(m) The Review Board shall establish uniform definitions and criteria for accounting separately by special education, room and board and other related services costs. The Board shall also establish guidelines for the coordination of services and financial assistance provided by all State agencies to assure that no otherwise qualified child with a disability receiving services under Article 14 shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any State agency.

(n) The Review Board shall review the costs for special education and related services provided by non-public schools, separate public special education day schools, or special education facilities and shall approve or disapprove such facilities in accordance with the rules and regulations established by it with respect to allowable costs.

(o) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and staff support for the Review Board as deemed reasonable by the State Superintendent of Education. This support shall not include travel expenses or other compensation for any Review Board member other than the State Superintendent of Education.

(p) The Review Board shall seek the advice of the Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities on the rules and regulations to be promulgated by it relative to providing special education services.

(q) If a child has been placed in a program in which the actual per pupil costs of tuition for special education and related services based on program enrollment, excluding room, board and transportation costs, exceed $4,500 and such costs have been approved by the Review Board, the district shall pay such total costs which exceed $4,500. A district making such tuition payments in excess of $4,500 pursuant to this Section shall be responsible for an amount in excess of $4,500 equal to the district per capita tuition charge and shall be eligible for reimbursement from the State for the amount of such payments actually made in excess of the district's per capita tuition charge for students not receiving special education services. If a child has been placed in a private special education school, separate public special education day school, or private special education facility, a district making tuition payments in excess of $4,500 pursuant to this Section shall be responsible for an amount in excess of $4,500 equal to 2 times the district's per capita tuition charge and shall be eligible for reimbursement from the State for the amount of such payments actually made in excess of 2 times the district's per capita tuition charge for students not receiving special education services.

(r) If a child has been placed in an approved individual program and the tuition costs including room and board costs have been approved by the Review Board, then such room and board costs shall be paid by the appropriate State agency subject to the provisions of Section 14-8.01 of this Act. Room and board costs not provided by a State agency other than the State Board of Education shall be provided by the State Board of Education on a current basis. In no event, however, shall the State's liability for funding of these tuition costs begin until after the legal obligations of third party payors have been subtracted from such costs. If the money appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose for any year is insufficient, it shall be apportioned on the basis of the claims approved. Each district shall submit estimated claims to the State Superintendent of Education. Upon approval of such claims, the State Superintendent of Education shall direct the State Comptroller to make payments on a monthly basis. The frequency for submitting estimated claims and the method of determining payment shall be prescribed in rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. Such current state reimbursement shall be reduced by an amount equal to the proceeds which the child or child's parents are eligible to receive under any public or private insurance or assistance program. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as relieving an insurer or similar third party from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or to pay for services provided to a child with a disability.

(s) If it otherwise qualifies, a school district is eligible for the transportation reimbursement under Section 14-13.01 and for the reimbursement of tuition payments under this Section whether the non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school or county special education facility, attended by a child who resides in that district and requires special educational services, is within or outside of the State of Illinois. However, a district is not eligible to claim transportation reimbursement under this Section unless the district certifies to the State Superintendent of Education that the district is unable to provide special educational services required by the child for the current school year.

(t) Nothing in this Section authorizes the reimbursement of a school district for the amount paid for tuition of a child attending a non-public school or special education facility, a public special education facility, a public out-of-state school, or a county special education facility unless the school district certifies to the State Superintendent of Education that the special education program of that district is unable to meet the needs of that child because of the child's disability and the State Superintendent of Education finds that the school district is in substantial compliance with Section 14-4.01. However, if a child is unilaterally placed by a State agency or any court in a non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school, or county special education facility, a school district shall not be required to certify to the State Superintendent of Education, for the purpose of tuition reimbursement, that the special education program of that district is unable to meet the needs of a child because of his or her disability.

(u) Any educational or related services provided, pursuant to this Section in a non-public school or special education facility or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit shall be at no cost to the parent or guardian of the child. However, current law and practices relative to contributions by parents or guardians for costs other than educational or related services are not affected by this amendatory Act of 1978.

(v) Reimbursement for children attending public school residential facilities shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(w) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any school district receiving a payment under this Section or under Section 14-7.02b, 14-13.01, or 29-5 of this Code may classify all or a portion of the funds that it receives in a particular fiscal year or from general State aid pursuant to Section 18-8.05 of this Code as funds received in connection with any funding program for which it is entitled to receive funds from the State in that fiscal year (including, without limitation, any funding program referenced in this Section), regardless of the source or timing of the receipt. The district may not classify more funds as funds received in connection with the funding program than the district is entitled to receive in that fiscal year for that program. Any classification by a district must be made by a resolution of its board of education. The resolution must identify the amount of any payments or general State aid to be classified under this paragraph and must specify the funding program to which the funds are to be treated as received in connection therewith. This resolution is controlling as to the classification of funds referenced therein. A certified copy of the resolution must be sent to the State Superintendent of Education. The resolution shall still take effect even though a copy of the resolution has not been sent to the State Superintendent of Education in a timely manner. No classification under this paragraph by a district shall affect the total amount or timing of money the district is entitled to receive under this Code. No classification under this paragraph by a district shall in any way relieve the district from or affect any requirements that otherwise would apply with respect to that funding program, including any accounting of funds by source, reporting expenditures by original source and purpose, reporting requirements, or requirements of providing services.

(x) The State Board of Education may adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-175, eff. 6-30-23; 103-546, eff. 8-11-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-644, eff. 7-1-24; 104-2, eff. 6-16-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/18-8.15)

Sec. 18-8.15. Evidence-Based Funding for student success for the 2017-2018 and subsequent school years.

(a) General provisions.

(1) The purpose of this Section is to ensure that, by June 30, 2027 and beyond, this State has a kindergarten through grade 12 public education system with the capacity to ensure the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities in accordance with Section 1 of Article X of the Constitution of the State of Illinois. To accomplish that objective, this Section creates a method of funding public education that is evidence-based; is sufficient to ensure every student receives a meaningful opportunity to learn irrespective of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or community-income level; and is sustainable and predictable. When fully funded under this Section, every school shall have the resources, based on what the evidence indicates is needed, to:

(A) provide all students with a high quality education that offers the academic, enrichment, social and emotional support, technical, and career-focused programs that will allow them to become competitive workers, responsible parents, productive citizens of this State, and active members of our national democracy;

(B) ensure all students receive the education they need to graduate from high school with the skills required to pursue post-secondary education and training for a rewarding career;

(C) reduce, with a goal of eliminating, the achievement gap between at-risk and non-at-risk students by raising the performance of at-risk students and not by reducing standards; and

(D) ensure this State satisfies its obligation to assume the primary responsibility to fund public education and simultaneously relieve the disproportionate burden placed on local property taxes to fund schools.

(2) The Evidence-Based Funding formula under this Section shall be applied to all Organizational Units in this State. The Evidence-Based Funding formula outlined in this Act is based on the formula outlined in Senate Bill 1 of the 100th General Assembly, as passed by both legislative chambers. As further defined and described in this Section, there are 4 major components of the Evidence-Based Funding model:

(A) First, the model calculates a unique Adequacy Target for each Organizational Unit in this State that considers the costs to implement research-based activities, the unit's student demographics, and regional wage differences.

(B) Second, the model calculates each Organizational Unit's Local Capacity, or the amount each Organizational Unit is assumed to contribute toward its Adequacy Target from local resources.

(C) Third, the model calculates how much funding the State currently contributes to the Organizational Unit and adds that to the unit's Local Capacity to determine the unit's overall current adequacy of funding.

(D) Finally, the model's distribution method allocates new State funding to those Organizational Units that are least well-funded, considering both Local Capacity and State funding, in relation to their Adequacy Target.

(3) An Organizational Unit receiving any funding under this Section may apply those funds to any fund so received for which that Organizational Unit is authorized to make expenditures by law.

(4) As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this paragraph (4):

"Adequacy Target" is defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Section.

"Adjusted EAV" is defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Section.

"Adjusted Local Capacity Target" is defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of this Section.

"Adjusted Operating Tax Rate" means a tax rate for all Organizational Units, for which the State Superintendent shall calculate and subtract for the Operating Tax Rate a transportation rate based on total expenses for transportation services under this Code, as reported on the most recent Annual Financial Report in Pupil Transportation Services, function 2550 in both the Education and Transportation funds and functions 4110 and 4120 in the Transportation fund, less any corresponding fiscal year State of Illinois scheduled payments excluding net adjustments for prior years for regular, vocational, or special education transportation reimbursement pursuant to Section 29-5 or subsection (b) of Section 14-13.01 of this Code divided by the Adjusted EAV. If an Organizational Unit's corresponding fiscal year State of Illinois scheduled payments excluding net adjustments for prior years for regular, vocational, or special education transportation reimbursement pursuant to Section 29-5 or subsection (b) of Section 14-13.01 of this Code exceed the total transportation expenses, as defined in this paragraph, no transportation rate shall be subtracted from the Operating Tax Rate.

"Allocation Rate" is defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of this Section.

"Alternative School" means a public school that is created and operated by a regional superintendent of schools and approved by the State Board.

"Applicable Tax Rate" is defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of this Section.

"Assessment" means any of those benchmark, progress monitoring, formative, diagnostic, and other assessments, in addition to the State accountability assessment, that assist teachers' needs in understanding the skills and meeting the needs of the students they serve.

"Assistant principal" means a school administrator duly endorsed to be employed as an assistant principal in this State.

"At-risk student" means a student who is at risk of not meeting the Illinois Learning Standards or not graduating from elementary or high school and who demonstrates a need for vocational support or social services beyond that provided by the regular school program. All students included in an Organizational Unit's Low-Income Count, as well as all English learner and disabled students attending the Organizational Unit, shall be considered at-risk students under this Section.

"Average Student Enrollment" or "ASE" for fiscal year 2018 means, for an Organizational Unit, the greater of the average number of students (grades K through 12) reported to the State Board as enrolled in the Organizational Unit on October 1 in the immediately preceding school year, plus the pre-kindergarten students who receive special education services of 2 or more hours a day as reported to the State Board on December 1 in the immediately preceding school year, or the average number of students (grades K through 12) reported to the State Board as enrolled in the Organizational Unit on October 1, plus the pre-kindergarten students who receive special education services of 2 or more hours a day as reported to the State Board on December 1, for each of the immediately preceding 3 school years. For fiscal year 2019 and each subsequent fiscal year, "Average Student Enrollment" or "ASE" means, for an Organizational Unit, the greater of the average number of students (grades K through 12) reported to the State Board as enrolled in the Organizational Unit on October 1 and March 1 in the immediately preceding school year, plus the pre-kindergarten students who receive special education services as reported to the State Board on October 1 and March 1 in the immediately preceding school year, or the average number of students (grades K through 12) reported to the State Board as enrolled in the Organizational Unit on October 1 and March 1, plus the pre-kindergarten students who receive special education services as reported to the State Board on October 1 and March 1, for each of the immediately preceding 3 school years. For the purposes of this definition, "enrolled in the Organizational Unit" means the number of students reported to the State Board who are enrolled in schools within the Organizational Unit that the student attends or would attend if not placed or transferred to another school or program to receive needed services. For the purposes of calculating "ASE", all students, grades K through 12, excluding those attending kindergarten for a half day and students attending an alternative education program operated by a regional office of education or intermediate service center, shall be counted as 1.0. All students attending kindergarten for a half day shall be counted as 0.5, unless in 2017 by June 15 or by March 1 in subsequent years, the school district reports to the State Board of Education the intent to implement full-day kindergarten district-wide for all students, then all students attending kindergarten shall be counted as 1.0. Special education pre-kindergarten students shall be counted as 0.5 each. If the State Board does not collect or has not collected both an October 1 and March 1 enrollment count by grade or a December 1 collection of special education pre-kindergarten students as of August 31, 2017 (the effective date of Public Act 100-465), it shall establish such collection for all future years. For any year in which a count by grade level was collected only once, that count shall be used as the single count available for computing a 3-year average ASE. Funding for programs operated by a regional office of education or an intermediate service center must be calculated using the Evidence-Based Funding formula under this Section for the 2019-2020 school year and each subsequent school year until separate adequacy formulas are developed and adopted for each type of program. ASE for a program operated by a regional office of education or an intermediate service center must be determined by the March 1 enrollment for the program. For the 2019-2020 school year, the ASE used in the calculation must be the first-year ASE and, in that year only, the assignment of students served by a regional office of education or intermediate service center shall not result in a reduction of the March enrollment for any school district. For the 2020-2021 school year, the ASE must be the greater of the current-year ASE or the 2-year average ASE. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, the ASE must be the greater of the current-year ASE or the 3-year average ASE. School districts shall submit the data for the ASE calculation to the State Board within 45 days of the dates required in this Section for submission of enrollment data in order for it to be included in the ASE calculation. For fiscal year 2018 only, the ASE calculation shall include only enrollment taken on October 1. In recognition of the impact of COVID-19, the definition of "Average Student Enrollment" or "ASE" shall be adjusted for calculations under this Section for fiscal years 2022 through 2024. For fiscal years 2022 through 2024, the enrollment used in the calculation of ASE representing the 2020-2021 school year shall be the greater of the enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year or the 2019-2020 school year.

"Base Funding Guarantee" is defined in paragraph (10) of subsection (g) of this Section.

"Base Funding Minimum" is defined in subsection (e) of this Section.

"Base Tax Year" means the property tax levy year used to calculate the Budget Year allocation of primary State aid.

"Base Tax Year's Extension" means the product of the equalized assessed valuation utilized by the county clerk in the Base Tax Year multiplied by the limiting rate as calculated by the county clerk and defined in PTELL.

"Bilingual Education Allocation" means the amount of an Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target attributable to bilingual education divided by the Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target, the product of which shall be multiplied by the amount of new funding received pursuant to this Section. An Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target attributable to bilingual education shall include all additional investments in English learner students' adequacy elements.

"Budget Year" means the school year for which primary State aid is calculated and awarded under this Section.

"Central office" means individual administrators and support service personnel charged with managing the instructional programs, business and operations, and security of the Organizational Unit.

"Comparable Wage Index" or "CWI" means a regional cost differentiation metric that measures systemic, regional variations in the salaries of college graduates who are not educators. The CWI utilized for this Section shall, for the first 3 years of Evidence-Based Funding implementation, be the CWI initially developed by the National Center for Education Statistics, as most recently updated by Texas A & M University. For State Fiscal Year 2026 In the fourth and subsequent fiscal years of Evidence-Based Funding implementation, the State Superintendent shall re-determine the CWI using the methodology identified in a comparable wage index study developed by the University of Illinois, with adjustments made no less frequently than once every 5 fiscal years.

"Computer technology and equipment" means computers servers, notebooks, network equipment, copiers, printers, instructional software, security software, curriculum management courseware, and other similar materials and equipment.

"Computer technology and equipment investment allocation" means the final Adequacy Target amount of an Organizational Unit assigned to Tier 1 or Tier 2 in the prior school year attributable to the additional $285.50 per student computer technology and equipment investment grant divided by the Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target, the result of which shall be multiplied by the amount of new funding received pursuant to this Section. An Organizational Unit assigned to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 final Adequacy Target attributable to the received computer technology and equipment investment grant shall include all additional investments in computer technology and equipment adequacy elements.

"Core subject" means mathematics; science; reading, English, writing, and language arts; history and social studies; world languages; and subjects taught as Advanced Placement in high schools.

"Core teacher" means a regular classroom teacher in elementary schools and teachers of a core subject in middle and high schools.

"Core Intervention teacher (tutor)" means a licensed teacher providing one-on-one or small group tutoring to students struggling to meet proficiency in core subjects.

"CPPRT" means corporate personal property replacement tax funds paid to an Organizational Unit during the calendar year one year before the calendar year in which a school year begins, pursuant to "An Act in relation to the abolition of ad valorem personal property tax and the replacement of revenues lost thereby, and amending and repealing certain Acts and parts of Acts in connection therewith", certified August 14, 1979, as amended (Public Act 81-1st S.S.-1).

"EAV" means equalized assessed valuation as defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this Section and calculated in accordance with paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of this Section.

"ECI" means the Bureau of Labor Statistics' national employment cost index for civilian workers in educational services in elementary and secondary schools on a cumulative basis for the 12-month calendar year preceding the fiscal year of the Evidence-Based Funding calculation.

"EIS Data" means the employment information system data maintained by the State Board on educators within Organizational Units.

"Employee benefits" means health, dental, and vision insurance offered to employees of an Organizational Unit, the costs associated with the statutorily required payment of the normal cost of the Organizational Unit's teacher pensions, Social Security employer contributions, and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund employer contributions.

"English learner" or "EL" means a child included in the definition of "English learners" under Section 14C-2 of this Code participating in a program of transitional bilingual education or a transitional program of instruction meeting the requirements and program application procedures of Article 14C of this Code. For the purposes of collecting the number of EL students enrolled, the same collection and calculation methodology as defined above for "ASE" shall apply to English learners, with the exception that EL student enrollment shall include students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.

"Essential Elements" means those elements, resources, and educational programs that have been identified through academic research as necessary to improve student success, improve academic performance, close achievement gaps, and provide for other per student costs related to the delivery and leadership of the Organizational Unit, as well as the maintenance and operations of the unit, and which are specified in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Section.

"Evidence-Based Funding" means State funding provided to an Organizational Unit pursuant to this Section.

"Extended day" means academic and enrichment programs provided to students outside the regular school day before and after school or during non-instructional times during the school day.

"Extension Limitation Ratio" means a numerical ratio in which the numerator is the Base Tax Year's Extension and the denominator is the Preceding Tax Year's Extension.

"Final Percent of Adequacy" is defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (f) of this Section.

"Final Resources" is defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (f) of this Section.

"Full-time equivalent" or "FTE" means the full-time equivalency compensation for staffing the relevant position at an Organizational Unit.

"Funding Gap" is defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (g).

"Hybrid District" means a partial elementary unit district created pursuant to Article 11E of this Code.

"Instructional assistant" means a core or special education, non-licensed employee who assists a teacher in the classroom and provides academic support to students.

"Instructional facilitator" means a qualified teacher or licensed teacher leader who facilitates and coaches continuous improvement in classroom instruction; provides instructional support to teachers in the elements of research-based instruction or demonstrates the alignment of instruction with curriculum standards and assessment tools; develops or coordinates instructional programs or strategies; develops and implements training; chooses standards-based instructional materials; provides teachers with an understanding of current research; serves as a mentor, site coach, curriculum specialist, or lead teacher; or otherwise works with fellow teachers, in collaboration, to use data to improve instructional practice or develop model lessons.

"Instructional materials" means relevant instructional materials for student instruction, including, but not limited to, textbooks, consumable workbooks, laboratory equipment, library books, and other similar materials.

"Laboratory School" means a public school that is created and operated by a public university and approved by the State Board.

"Librarian" means a teacher with an endorsement as a library information specialist or another individual whose primary responsibility is overseeing library resources within an Organizational Unit.

"Limiting rate for Hybrid Districts" means the combined elementary school and high school limiting rates.

"Local Capacity" is defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Section.

"Local Capacity Percentage" is defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Section.

"Local Capacity Ratio" is defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Section.

"Local Capacity Target" is defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Section.

"Low-Income Count" means, for an Organizational Unit in a fiscal year, the higher of the average number of students for the prior school year or the immediately preceding 3 school years who, as of July 1 of the immediately preceding fiscal year (as determined by the Department of Human Services), are eligible for at least one of the following low-income programs: Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, excluding pupils who are eligible for services provided by the Department of Children and Family Services. Until such time that grade level low-income populations become available, grade level low-income populations shall be determined by applying the low-income percentage to total student enrollments by grade level. The low-income percentage is determined by dividing the Low-Income Count by the Average Student Enrollment. The low-income percentage for a regional office of education or an intermediate service center operating one or more alternative education programs must be set to the weighted average of the low-income percentages of all of the school districts in the service region. The weighted low-income percentage is the result of multiplying the low-income percentage of each school district served by the regional office of education or intermediate service center by each school district's Average Student Enrollment, summarizing those products and dividing the total by the total Average Student Enrollment for the service region.

"Maintenance and operations" means custodial services, facility and ground maintenance, facility operations, facility security, routine facility repairs, and other similar services and functions.

"Minimum Funding Level" is defined in paragraph (9) of subsection (g) of this Section.

"New Property Tax Relief Pool Funds" means, for any given fiscal year, all State funds appropriated under Section 2-3.170 of this Code.

"New State Funds" means, for a given school year, all State funds appropriated for Evidence-Based Funding in excess of the amount needed to fund the Base Funding Minimum for all Organizational Units in that school year.

"Nurse" means an individual licensed as a certified school nurse, in accordance with the rules established for nursing services by the State Board, who is an employee of and is available to provide health care-related services for students of an Organizational Unit.

"Operating Tax Rate" means the rate utilized in the previous year to extend property taxes for all purposes, except Bond and Interest, Summer School, Rent, Capital Improvement, and Vocational Education Building purposes. For Hybrid Districts, the Operating Tax Rate shall be the combined elementary and high school rates utilized in the previous year to extend property taxes for all purposes, except Bond and Interest, Summer School, Rent, Capital Improvement, and Vocational Education Building purposes.

"Organizational Unit" means a Laboratory School or any public school district that is recognized as such by the State Board and that contains elementary schools typically serving kindergarten through 5th grades, middle schools typically serving 6th through 8th grades, high schools typically serving 9th through 12th grades, a program established under Section 2-3.66 or 2-3.41, or a program operated by a regional office of education or an intermediate service center under Article 13A or 13B. The General Assembly acknowledges that the actual grade levels served by a particular Organizational Unit may vary slightly from what is typical.

"Organizational Unit CWI" is determined by calculating the CWI in the region and original county in which an Organizational Unit's primary administrative office is located as set forth in this paragraph, provided that if the Organizational Unit CWI as calculated in accordance with this paragraph is less than 0.9, the Organizational Unit CWI shall be increased to 0.9. Each county's current CWI value shall be adjusted based on the CWI value of that county's neighboring Illinois counties, to create a "weighted adjusted index value". This shall be calculated by summing the CWI values of all of a county's adjacent Illinois counties and dividing by the number of adjacent Illinois counties, then taking the weighted value of the original county's CWI value and the adjacent Illinois county average. To calculate this weighted value, if the number of adjacent Illinois counties is greater than 2, the original county's CWI value will be weighted at 0.25 and the adjacent Illinois county average will be weighted at 0.75. If the number of adjacent Illinois counties is 2, the original county's CWI value will be weighted at 0.33 and the adjacent Illinois county average will be weighted at 0.66. The greater of the county's current CWI value and its weighted adjusted index value shall be used as the Organizational Unit CWI.

"Preceding Tax Year" means the property tax levy year immediately preceding the Base Tax Year.

"Preceding Tax Year's Extension" means the product of the equalized assessed valuation utilized by the county clerk in the Preceding Tax Year multiplied by the Operating Tax Rate.

"Preliminary Percent of Adequacy" is defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of this Section.

"Preliminary Resources" is defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of this Section.

"Principal" means a school administrator duly endorsed to be employed as a principal in this State.

"Professional development" means training programs for licensed staff in schools, including, but not limited to, programs that assist in implementing new curriculum programs, provide data focused or academic assessment data training to help staff identify a student's weaknesses and strengths, target interventions, improve instruction, encompass instructional strategies for English learner, gifted, or at-risk students, address inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, or implicit bias, or otherwise provide professional support for licensed staff.

"Prototypical" means 450 special education pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through grade 5 students for an elementary school, 450 grade 6 through 8 students for a middle school, and 600 grade 9 through 12 students for a high school.

"PTELL" means the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

"PTELL EAV" is defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Section.

"Pupil support staff" means a nurse, psychologist, social worker, family liaison personnel, or other staff member who provides support to at-risk or struggling students.

"Real Receipts" is defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of this Section.

"Regionalization Factor" means, for a particular Organizational Unit, the figure derived by dividing the Organizational Unit CWI by the Statewide Weighted CWI.

"School counselor" means a licensed school counselor who provides guidance and counseling support for students within an Organizational Unit.

"School site staff" means the primary school secretary and any additional clerical personnel assigned to a school.

"Special education" means special educational facilities and services, as defined in Section 14-1.08 of this Code.

"Special Education Allocation" means the amount of an Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target attributable to special education divided by the Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target, the product of which shall be multiplied by the amount of new funding received pursuant to this Section. An Organizational Unit's final Adequacy Target attributable to special education shall include all special education investment adequacy elements.

"Specialist teacher" means a teacher who provides instruction in subject areas not included in core subjects, including, but not limited to, art, music, physical education, health, driver education, career-technical education, and such other subject areas as may be mandated by State law or provided by an Organizational Unit.

"Specially Funded Unit" means an Alternative School, safe school, Department of Juvenile Justice school, special education cooperative or entity recognized by the State Board as a special education cooperative, State-approved charter school, or alternative learning opportunities program that received direct funding from the State Board during the 2016-2017 school year through any of the funding sources included within the calculation of the Base Funding Minimum or Glenwood Academy.

"Supplemental Grant Funding" means supplemental general State aid funding received by an Organizational Unit during the 2016-2017 school year pursuant to subsection (H) of Section 18-8.05 of this Code (now repealed).

"State Adequacy Level" is the sum of the Adequacy Targets of all Organizational Units.

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

"State Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Education.

"Statewide Weighted CWI" means a figure determined by multiplying each Organizational Unit CWI times the ASE for that Organizational Unit creating a weighted value, summing all Organizational Units' weighted values, and dividing by the total ASE of all Organizational Units, thereby creating an average weighted index.

"Student activities" means non-credit producing after-school programs, including, but not limited to, clubs, bands, sports, and other activities authorized by the school board of the Organizational Unit.

"Substitute teacher" means an individual teacher or teaching assistant who is employed by an Organizational Unit and is temporarily serving the Organizational Unit on a per diem or per period-assignment basis to replace another staff member.

"Summer school" means academic and enrichment programs provided to students during the summer months outside of the regular school year.

"Supervisory aide" means a non-licensed staff member who helps in supervising students of an Organizational Unit, but does so outside of the classroom, in situations such as, but not limited to, monitoring hallways and playgrounds, supervising lunchrooms, or supervising students when being transported in buses serving the Organizational Unit.

"Target Ratio" is defined in paragraph (4) of subsection (g).

"Tier 1", "Tier 2", "Tier 3", and "Tier 4" are defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (g).

"Tier 1 Aggregate Funding", "Tier 2 Aggregate Funding", "Tier 3 Aggregate Funding", and "Tier 4 Aggregate Funding" are defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (g).

(b) Adequacy Target calculation.

(1) Each Organizational Unit's Adequacy Target is the sum of the Organizational Unit's cost of providing Essential Elements, as calculated in accordance with this subsection (b), with the salary amounts in the Essential Elements multiplied by a Regionalization Factor calculated pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection (b).

(2) The Essential Elements are attributable on a pro rata basis related to defined subgroups of the ASE of each Organizational Unit as specified in this paragraph (2), with investments and FTE positions pro rata funded based on ASE counts in excess of or less than the thresholds set forth in this paragraph (2). The method for calculating attributable pro rata costs and the defined subgroups thereto are as follows:

(A) Core class size investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding required to support that number of FTE core teacher positions as is needed to keep the respective class sizes of the Organizational Unit to the following maximum numbers:

(i) For grades kindergarten through 3, the Organizational Unit shall receive funding required to support one FTE core teacher position for every 15 Low-Income Count students in those grades and one FTE core teacher position for every 20 non-Low-Income Count students in those grades.

(ii) For grades 4 through 12, the Organizational Unit shall receive funding required to support one FTE core teacher position for every 20 Low-Income Count students in those grades and one FTE core teacher position for every 25 non-Low-Income Count students in those grades.

The number of non-Low-Income Count students in a grade shall be determined by subtracting the Low-Income students in that grade from the ASE of the Organizational Unit for that grade.

(B) Specialist teacher investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover that number of FTE specialist teacher positions that correspond to the following percentages:

(i) if the Organizational Unit operates an elementary or middle school, then 20.00% of the number of the Organizational Unit's core teachers, as determined under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph (2); and

(ii) if such Organizational Unit operates a high school, then 33.33% of the number of the Organizational Unit's core teachers.

(C) Instructional facilitator investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE instructional facilitator position for every 200 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students of the Organizational Unit.

(D) Core intervention teacher (tutor) investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE teacher position for each prototypical elementary, middle, and high school.

(E) Substitute teacher investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover substitute teacher costs that is equal to 5.70% of the minimum pupil attendance days required under Section 10-19 of this Code for all full-time equivalent core, specialist, and intervention teachers, school nurses, special education teachers and instructional assistants, instructional facilitators, and summer school and extended day teacher positions, as determined under this paragraph (2), at a salary rate of 33.33% of the average salary for grade K through 12 teachers and 33.33% of the average salary of each instructional assistant position.

(F) Core school counselor investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE school counselor for each 450 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 5 students, plus one FTE school counselor for each 250 grades 6 through 8 ASE middle school students, plus one FTE school counselor for each 250 grades 9 through 12 ASE high school students.

(G) Nurse investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE nurse for each 750 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students across all grade levels it serves.

(H) Supervisory aide investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE for each 225 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 5 students, plus one FTE for each 225 ASE middle school students, plus one FTE for each 200 ASE high school students.

(I) Librarian investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE librarian for each prototypical elementary school, middle school, and high school and one FTE aide or media technician for every 300 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students.

(J) Principal investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE principal position for each prototypical elementary school, plus one FTE principal position for each prototypical middle school, plus one FTE principal position for each prototypical high school.

(K) Assistant principal investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed to cover one FTE assistant principal position for each prototypical elementary school, plus one FTE assistant principal position for each prototypical middle school, plus one FTE assistant principal position for each prototypical high school.

(L) School site staff investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the funding needed for one FTE position for each 225 ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 5 students, plus one FTE position for each 225 ASE middle school students, plus one FTE position for each 200 ASE high school students.

(M) Gifted investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $40 per kindergarten through grade 12 ASE.

(N) Professional development investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $125 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students for trainers and other professional development-related expenses for supplies and materials.

(O) Instructional material investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $190 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students to cover instructional material costs.

(P) Assessment investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $25 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students to cover assessment costs.

(Q) Computer technology and equipment investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $285.50 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students to cover computer technology and equipment costs. For the 2018-2019 school year and subsequent school years, Organizational Units assigned to Tier 1 and Tier 2 in the prior school year shall receive an additional $285.50 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students to cover computer technology and equipment costs in the Organizational Unit's Adequacy Target. The State Board may establish additional requirements for Organizational Unit expenditures of funds received pursuant to this subparagraph (Q), including a requirement that funds received pursuant to this subparagraph (Q) may be used only for serving the technology needs of the district. It is the intent of Public Act 100-465 that all Tier 1 and Tier 2 districts receive the addition to their Adequacy Target in the following year, subject to compliance with the requirements of the State Board.

(R) Student activities investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive the following funding amounts to cover student activities: $100 per kindergarten through grade 5 ASE student in elementary school, plus $200 per ASE student in middle school, plus $675 per ASE student in high school.

(S) Maintenance and operations investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $1,038 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students for day-to-day maintenance and operations expenditures, including salary, supplies, and materials, as well as purchased services, but excluding employee benefits. The proportion of salary for the application of a Regionalization Factor and the calculation of benefits is equal to $352.92.

(T) Central office investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive $742 per student of the combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students to cover central office operations, including administrators and classified personnel charged with managing the instructional programs, business and operations of the school district, and security personnel. The proportion of salary for the application of a Regionalization Factor and the calculation of benefits is equal to $368.48.

(U) Employee benefit investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive 30% of the total of all salary-calculated elements of the Adequacy Target, excluding substitute teachers and student activities investments, to cover benefit costs. For central office and maintenance and operations investments, the benefit calculation shall be based upon the salary proportion of each investment. If at any time the responsibility for funding the employer normal cost of teacher pensions is assigned to school districts, then that amount certified by the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois to be paid by the Organizational Unit for the preceding school year shall be added to the benefit investment. For any fiscal year in which a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code is responsible for paying the employer normal cost of teacher pensions, then that amount of its employer normal cost plus the amount for retiree health insurance as certified by the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago to be paid by the school district for the preceding school year that is statutorily required to cover employer normal costs and the amount for retiree health insurance shall be added to the 30% specified in this subparagraph (U). The Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago shall submit such information as the State Superintendent may require for the calculations set forth in this subparagraph (U).

(V) Additional investments in low-income students. In addition to and not in lieu of all other funding under this paragraph (2), each Organizational Unit shall receive funding based on the average teacher salary for grades K through 12 to cover the costs of:

(i) one FTE intervention teacher (tutor) position for every 125 Low-Income Count students;

(ii) one FTE pupil support staff position for every 125 Low-Income Count students;

(iii) one FTE extended day teacher position for every 120 Low-Income Count students; and

(iv) one FTE summer school teacher position for every 120 Low-Income Count students.

(W) Additional investments in English learner students. In addition to and not in lieu of all other funding under this paragraph (2), each Organizational Unit shall receive funding based on the average teacher salary for grades K through 12 to cover the costs of:

(i) one FTE intervention teacher (tutor) position for every 125 English learner students;

(ii) one FTE pupil support staff position for every 125 English learner students;

(iii) one FTE extended day teacher position for every 120 English learner students;

(iv) one FTE summer school teacher position for every 120 English learner students; and

(v) one FTE core teacher position for every 100 English learner students.

(X) Special education investments. Each Organizational Unit shall receive funding based on the average teacher salary for grades K through 12 to cover special education as follows:

(i) one FTE teacher position for every 141 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students;

(ii) one FTE instructional assistant for every 141 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students; and

(iii) one FTE psychologist position for every 1,000 combined ASE of pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all kindergarten through grade 12 students.

(3) For calculating the salaries included within the Essential Elements, the State Superintendent shall annually calculate average salaries to the nearest dollar using the employment information system data maintained by the State Board, limited to public schools only and excluding special education and vocational cooperatives, schools operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice, and charter schools, for the following positions:

(A) Teacher for grades K through 8.

(B) Teacher for grades 9 through 12.

(C) Teacher for grades K through 12.

(D) School counselor for grades K through 8.

(E) School counselor for grades 9 through 12.

(F) School counselor for grades K through 12.

(G) Social worker.

(H) Psychologist.

(I) Librarian.

(J) Nurse.

(K) Principal.

(L) Assistant principal.

For the purposes of this paragraph (3), "teacher" includes core teachers, specialist and elective teachers, instructional facilitators, tutors, special education teachers, pupil support staff teachers, English learner teachers, extended day teachers, and summer school teachers. Where specific grade data is not required for the Essential Elements, the average salary for corresponding positions shall apply. For substitute teachers, the average teacher salary for grades K through 12 shall apply.

For calculating the salaries included within the Essential Elements for positions not included within EIS Data, the following salaries shall be used in the first year of implementation of Evidence-Based Funding:

(i) school site staff, $30,000; and

(ii) non-instructional assistant, instructional assistant, library aide, library media tech, or supervisory aide: $25,000.

In the second and subsequent years of implementation of Evidence-Based Funding, the amounts in items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (3) shall annually increase by the ECI.

The salary amounts for the Essential Elements determined pursuant to subparagraphs (A) through (L), (S) and (T), and (V) through (X) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Section shall be multiplied by a Regionalization Factor.

(c) Local Capacity calculation.

(1) Each Organizational Unit's Local Capacity represents an amount of funding it is assumed to contribute toward its Adequacy Target for purposes of the Evidence-Based Funding formula calculation. "Local Capacity" means either (i) the Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Target as calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection (c) if its Real Receipts are equal to or less than its Local Capacity Target or (ii) the Organizational Unit's Adjusted Local Capacity, as calculated in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection (c) if Real Receipts are more than its Local Capacity Target.

(2) "Local Capacity Target" means, for an Organizational Unit, that dollar amount that is obtained by multiplying its Adequacy Target by its Local Capacity Ratio.

(A) An Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Percentage is the conversion of the Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Ratio, as such ratio is determined in accordance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (2), into a cumulative distribution resulting in a percentile ranking to determine each Organizational Unit's relative position to all other Organizational Units in this State. The calculation of Local Capacity Percentage is described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph (2).

(B) An Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Ratio in a given year is the percentage obtained by dividing its Adjusted EAV or PTELL EAV, whichever is less, by its Adequacy Target, with the resulting ratio further adjusted as follows:

(i) for Organizational Units serving grades kindergarten through 12 and Hybrid Districts, no further adjustments shall be made;

(ii) for Organizational Units serving grades kindergarten through 8, the ratio shall be multiplied by 9/13;

(iii) for Organizational Units serving grades 9 through 12, the Local Capacity Ratio shall be multiplied by 4/13; and

(iv) for an Organizational Unit with a different grade configuration than those specified in items (i) through (iii) of this subparagraph (B), the State Superintendent shall determine a comparable adjustment based on the grades served.

(C) The Local Capacity Percentage is equal to the percentile ranking of the district. Local Capacity Percentage converts each Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Ratio to a cumulative distribution resulting in a percentile ranking to determine each Organizational Unit's relative position to all other Organizational Units in this State. The Local Capacity Percentage cumulative distribution resulting in a percentile ranking for each Organizational Unit shall be calculated using the standard normal distribution of the score in relation to the weighted mean and weighted standard deviation and Local Capacity Ratios of all Organizational Units. If the value assigned to any Organizational Unit is in excess of 90%, the value shall be adjusted to 90%. For Laboratory Schools, the Local Capacity Percentage shall be set at 10% in recognition of the absence of EAV and resources from the public university that are allocated to the Laboratory School. For a regional office of education or an intermediate service center operating one or more alternative education programs, the Local Capacity Percentage must be set at 10% in recognition of the absence of EAV and resources from school districts that are allocated to the regional office of education or intermediate service center. The weighted mean for the Local Capacity Percentage shall be determined by multiplying each Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Ratio times the ASE for the unit creating a weighted value, summing the weighted values of all Organizational Units, and dividing by the total ASE of all Organizational Units. The weighted standard deviation shall be determined by taking the square root of the weighted variance of all Organizational Units' Local Capacity Ratio, where the variance is calculated by squaring the difference between each unit's Local Capacity Ratio and the weighted mean, then multiplying the variance for each unit times the ASE for the unit to create a weighted variance for each unit, then summing all units' weighted variance and dividing by the total ASE of all units.

(D) For any Organizational Unit, the Organizational Unit's Adjusted Local Capacity Target shall be reduced by either (i) the school board's remaining contribution pursuant to paragraph (ii) of subsection (b-4) of Section 16-158 of the Illinois Pension Code in a given year or (ii) the board of education's remaining contribution pursuant to paragraph (iv) of subsection (b) of Section 17-129 of the Illinois Pension Code absent the employer normal cost portion of the required contribution and amount allowed pursuant to subdivision (3) of Section 17-142.1 of the Illinois Pension Code in a given year. In the preceding sentence, item (i) shall be certified to the State Board of Education by the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and item (ii) shall be certified to the State Board of Education by the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of the City of Chicago.

(3) If an Organizational Unit's Real Receipts are more than its Local Capacity Target, then its Local Capacity shall equal an Adjusted Local Capacity Target as calculated in accordance with this paragraph (3). The Adjusted Local Capacity Target is calculated as the sum of the Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Target and its Real Receipts Adjustment. The Real Receipts Adjustment equals the Organizational Unit's Real Receipts less its Local Capacity Target, with the resulting figure multiplied by the Local Capacity Percentage.

As used in this paragraph (3), "Real Percent of Adequacy" means the sum of an Organizational Unit's Real Receipts, CPPRT, and Base Funding Minimum, with the resulting figure divided by the Organizational Unit's Adequacy Target.

(d) Calculation of Real Receipts, EAV, and Adjusted EAV for purposes of the Local Capacity calculation.

(1) An Organizational Unit's Real Receipts are the product of its Applicable Tax Rate and its Adjusted EAV. An Organizational Unit's Applicable Tax Rate is its Adjusted Operating Tax Rate for property within the Organizational Unit.

(2) The State Superintendent shall calculate the equalized assessed valuation, or EAV, of all taxable property of each Organizational Unit as of September 30 of the previous year in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection (d). The State Superintendent shall then determine the Adjusted EAV of each Organizational Unit in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection (d), which Adjusted EAV figure shall be used for the purposes of calculating Local Capacity.

(3) To calculate Real Receipts and EAV, the Department of Revenue shall supply to the State Superintendent the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue of all taxable property of every Organizational Unit, together with (i) the applicable tax rate used in extending taxes for the funds of the Organizational Unit as of September 30 of the previous year and (ii) the limiting rate for all Organizational Units subject to property tax extension limitations as imposed under PTELL.

(A) The Department of Revenue shall add to the equalized assessed value of all taxable property of each Organizational Unit situated entirely or partially within a county that is or was subject to the provisions of Section 15-176 or 15-177 of the Property Tax Code (i) an amount equal to the total amount by which the homestead exemption allowed under Section 15-176 or 15-177 of the Property Tax Code for real property situated in that Organizational Unit exceeds the total amount that would have been allowed in that Organizational Unit if the maximum reduction under Section 15-176 was (I) $4,500 in Cook County or $3,500 in all other counties in tax year 2003 or (II) $5,000 in all counties in tax year 2004 and thereafter and (ii) an amount equal to the aggregate amount for the taxable year of all additional exemptions under Section 15-175 of the Property Tax Code for owners with a household income of $30,000 or less. The county clerk of any county that is or was subject to the provisions of Section 15-176 or 15-177 of the Property Tax Code shall annually calculate and certify to the Department of Revenue for each Organizational Unit all homestead exemption amounts under Section 15-176 or 15-177 of the Property Tax Code and all amounts of additional exemptions under Section 15-175 of the Property Tax Code for owners with a household income of $30,000 or less. It is the intent of this subparagraph (A) that if the general homestead exemption for a parcel of property is determined under Section 15-176 or 15-177 of the Property Tax Code rather than Section 15-175, then the calculation of EAV shall not be affected by the difference, if any, between the amount of the general homestead exemption allowed for that parcel of property under Section 15-176 or 15-177 of the Property Tax Code and the amount that would have been allowed had the general homestead exemption for that parcel of property been determined under Section 15-175 of the Property Tax Code. It is further the intent of this subparagraph (A) that if additional exemptions are allowed under Section 15-175 of the Property Tax Code for owners with a household income of less than $30,000, then the calculation of EAV shall not be affected by the difference, if any, because of those additional exemptions.

(B) With respect to any part of an Organizational Unit within a redevelopment project area in respect to which a municipality has adopted tax increment allocation financing pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, Division 74.4 of Article 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code, or the Industrial Jobs Recovery Law, Division 74.6 of Article 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code, no part of the current EAV of real property located in any such project area that is attributable to an increase above the total initial EAV of such property shall be used as part of the EAV of the Organizational Unit, until such time as all redevelopment project costs have been paid, as provided in Section 11-74.4-8 of the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act or in Section 11-74.6-35 of the Industrial Jobs Recovery Law. For the purpose of the EAV of the Organizational Unit, the total initial EAV or the current EAV, whichever is lower, shall be used until such time as all redevelopment project costs have been paid.

(B-5) The real property equalized assessed valuation for a school district shall be adjusted by subtracting from the real property value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, for the district an amount computed by dividing the amount of any abatement of taxes under Section 18-170 of the Property Tax Code by 3.00% for a district maintaining grades kindergarten through 12, by 2.30% for a district maintaining grades kindergarten through 8, or by 1.05% for a district maintaining grades 9 through 12 and adjusted by an amount computed by dividing the amount of any abatement of taxes under subsection (a) of Section 18-165 of the Property Tax Code by the same percentage rates for district type as specified in this subparagraph (B-5).

(C) For Organizational Units that are Hybrid Districts, the State Superintendent shall use the lesser of the adjusted equalized assessed valuation for property within the partial elementary unit district for elementary purposes, as defined in Article 11E of this Code, or the adjusted equalized assessed valuation for property within the partial elementary unit district for high school purposes, as defined in Article 11E of this Code.

(D) If a school district's boundaries span multiple counties, then the Department of Revenue shall send to the State Board, for the purposes of calculating Evidence-Based Funding, the limiting rate and individual rates by purpose for the county that contains the majority of the school district's equalized assessed valuation.

(4) An Organizational Unit's Adjusted EAV shall be the average of its EAV over the immediately preceding 3 years or the lesser of its EAV in the immediately preceding year or the average of its EAV over the immediately preceding 3 years if the EAV in the immediately preceding year has declined by 10% or more when comparing the 2 most recent years. In the event of Organizational Unit reorganization, consolidation, or annexation, the Organizational Unit's Adjusted EAV for the first 3 years after such change shall be as follows: the most current EAV shall be used in the first year, the average of a 2-year EAV or its EAV in the immediately preceding year if the EAV declines by 10% or more when comparing the 2 most recent years for the second year, and the lesser of a 3-year average EAV or its EAV in the immediately preceding year if the Adjusted EAV declines by 10% or more when comparing the 2 most recent years for the third year. For any school district whose EAV in the immediately preceding year is used in calculations, in the following year, the Adjusted EAV shall be the average of its EAV over the immediately preceding 2 years or the immediately preceding year if that year represents a decline of 10% or more when comparing the 2 most recent years.

"PTELL EAV" means a figure calculated by the State Board for Organizational Units subject to PTELL as described in this paragraph (4) for the purposes of calculating an Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Ratio. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (4), the PTELL EAV of an Organizational Unit shall be equal to the product of the equalized assessed valuation last used in the calculation of general State aid under Section 18-8.05 of this Code (now repealed) or Evidence-Based Funding under this Section and the Organizational Unit's Extension Limitation Ratio. If an Organizational Unit has approved or does approve an increase in its limiting rate, pursuant to Section 18-190 of the Property Tax Code, affecting the Base Tax Year, the PTELL EAV shall be equal to the product of the equalized assessed valuation last used in the calculation of general State aid under Section 18-8.05 of this Code (now repealed) or Evidence-Based Funding under this Section multiplied by an amount equal to one plus the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the 12-month calendar year preceding the Base Tax Year, plus the equalized assessed valuation of new property, annexed property, and recovered tax increment value and minus the equalized assessed valuation of disconnected property.

As used in this paragraph (4), "new property" and "recovered tax increment value" shall have the meanings set forth in the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

(e) Base Funding Minimum calculation.

(1) For the 2017-2018 school year, the Base Funding Minimum of an Organizational Unit or a Specially Funded Unit shall be the amount of State funds distributed to the Organizational Unit or Specially Funded Unit during the 2016-2017 school year prior to any adjustments and specified appropriation amounts described in this paragraph (1) from the following Sections, as calculated by the State Superintendent: Section 18-8.05 of this Code (now repealed); Section 5 of Article 224 of Public Act 99-524 (equity grants); Section 14-7.02b of this Code (funding for children requiring special education services); Section 14-13.01 of this Code (special education facilities and staffing), except for reimbursement of the cost of transportation pursuant to Section 14-13.01; Section 14C-12 of this Code (English learners); and Section 18-4.3 of this Code (summer school), based on an appropriation level of $13,121,600. For a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code, the Base Funding Minimum also includes (i) the funds allocated to the school district pursuant to Section 1D-1 of this Code attributable to funding programs authorized by the Sections of this Code listed in the preceding sentence and (ii) the difference between (I) the funds allocated to the school district pursuant to Section 1D-1 of this Code attributable to the funding programs authorized by Section 14-7.02 (non-public special education reimbursement), subsection (b) of Section 14-13.01 (special education transportation), Section 29-5 (transportation), Section 2-3.80 (agricultural education), Section 2-3.66 (truants' alternative education), Section 2-3.62 (educational service centers), and Section 14-7.03 (special education - orphanage) of this Code and Section 15 of the Childhood Hunger Relief Act (free breakfast program) and (II) the school district's actual expenditures for its non-public special education, special education transportation, transportation programs, agricultural education, truants' alternative education, services that would otherwise be performed by a regional office of education, special education orphanage expenditures, and free breakfast, as most recently calculated and reported pursuant to subsection (f) of Section 1D-1 of this Code. The Base Funding Minimum for Glenwood Academy shall be $952,014. For programs operated by a regional office of education or an intermediate service center, the Base Funding Minimum must be the total amount of State funds allocated to those programs in the 2018-2019 school year and amounts provided pursuant to Article 34 of Public Act 100-586 and Section 3-16 of this Code. All programs established after June 5, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-10) and administered by a regional office of education or an intermediate service center must have an initial Base Funding Minimum set to an amount equal to the first-year ASE multiplied by the amount of per pupil funding received in the previous school year by the lowest funded similar existing program type. If the enrollment for a program operated by a regional office of education or an intermediate service center is zero, then it may not receive Base Funding Minimum funds for that program in the next fiscal year, and those funds must be distributed to Organizational Units under subsection (g).

(2) For the 2018-2019 and subsequent school years, the Base Funding Minimum of Organizational Units and Specially Funded Units shall be the sum of (i) the amount of Evidence-Based Funding for the prior school year, (ii) the Base Funding Minimum for the prior school year, and (iii) any amount received by a school district pursuant to Section 7 of Article 97 of Public Act 100-21.

For the 2022-2023 school year, the Base Funding Minimum of Organizational Units shall be the amounts recalculated by the State Board of Education for Fiscal Year 2019 through Fiscal Year 2022 that were necessary due to average student enrollment errors for districts organized under Article 34 of this Code, plus the Fiscal Year 2022 property tax relief grants provided under Section 2-3.170 of this Code, ensuring each Organizational Unit has the correct amount of resources for Fiscal Year 2023 Evidence-Based Funding calculations and that Fiscal Year 2023 Evidence-Based Funding Distributions are made in accordance with this Section.

(3) Subject to approval by the General Assembly as provided in this paragraph (3), an Organizational Unit that meets all of the following criteria, as determined by the State Board, shall have District Intervention Money added to its Base Funding Minimum at the time the Base Funding Minimum is calculated by the State Board:

(A) The Organizational Unit is operating under an Independent Authority under Section 2-3.25f-5 of this Code for a minimum of 4 school years or is subject to the control of the State Board pursuant to a court order for a minimum of 4 school years.

(B) The Organizational Unit was designated as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Organizational Unit in the previous school year under paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of this Section.

(C) The Organizational Unit demonstrates sustainability through a 5-year financial and strategic plan.

(D) The Organizational Unit has made sufficient progress and achieved sufficient stability in the areas of governance, academic growth, and finances.

As part of its determination under this paragraph (3), the State Board may consider the Organizational Unit's summative designation, any accreditations of the Organizational Unit, or the Organizational Unit's financial profile, as calculated by the State Board.

If the State Board determines that an Organizational Unit has met the criteria set forth in this paragraph (3), it must submit a report to the General Assembly, no later than January 2 of the fiscal year in which the State Board makes it determination, on the amount of District Intervention Money to add to the Organizational Unit's Base Funding Minimum. The General Assembly must review the State Board's report and may approve or disapprove, by joint resolution, the addition of District Intervention Money. If the General Assembly fails to act on the report within 40 calendar days from the receipt of the report, the addition of District Intervention Money is deemed approved. If the General Assembly approves the amount of District Intervention Money to be added to the Organizational Unit's Base Funding Minimum, the District Intervention Money must be added to the Base Funding Minimum annually thereafter.

For the first 4 years following the initial year that the State Board determines that an Organizational Unit has met the criteria set forth in this paragraph (3) and has received funding under this Section, the Organizational Unit must annually submit to the State Board, on or before November 30, a progress report regarding its financial and strategic plan under subparagraph (C) of this paragraph (3). The plan shall include the financial data from the past 4 annual financial reports or financial audits that must be presented to the State Board by November 15 of each year and the approved budget financial data for the current year. The plan shall be developed according to the guidelines presented to the Organizational Unit by the State Board. The plan shall further include financial projections for the next 3 fiscal years and include a discussion and financial summary of the Organizational Unit's facility needs. If the Organizational Unit does not demonstrate sufficient progress toward its 5-year plan or if it has failed to file an annual financial report, an annual budget, a financial plan, a deficit reduction plan, or other financial information as required by law, the State Board may establish a Financial Oversight Panel under Article 1H of this Code. However, if the Organizational Unit already has a Financial Oversight Panel, the State Board may extend the duration of the Panel.

(f) Percent of Adequacy and Final Resources calculation.

(1) The Evidence-Based Funding formula establishes a Percent of Adequacy for each Organizational Unit in order to place such units into tiers for the purposes of the funding distribution system described in subsection (g) of this Section. Initially, an Organizational Unit's Preliminary Resources and Preliminary Percent of Adequacy are calculated pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection (f). Then, an Organizational Unit's Final Resources and Final Percent of Adequacy are calculated to account for the Organizational Unit's poverty concentration levels pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection (f).

(2) An Organizational Unit's Preliminary Resources are equal to the sum of its Local Capacity Target, CPPRT, and Base Funding Minimum. An Organizational Unit's Preliminary Percent of Adequacy is the lesser of (i) its Preliminary Resources divided by its Adequacy Target or (ii) 100%.

(3) Except for Specially Funded Units, an Organizational Unit's Final Resources are equal to the sum of its Local Capacity, CPPRT, and Adjusted Base Funding Minimum. The Base Funding Minimum of each Specially Funded Unit shall serve as its Final Resources, except that the Base Funding Minimum for State-approved charter schools shall not include any portion of general State aid allocated in the prior year based on the per capita tuition charge times the charter school enrollment.

(4) An Organizational Unit's Final Percent of Adequacy is its Final Resources divided by its Adequacy Target. An Organizational Unit's Adjusted Base Funding Minimum is equal to its Base Funding Minimum less its Supplemental Grant Funding, with the resulting figure added to the product of its Supplemental Grant Funding and Preliminary Percent of Adequacy.

(g) Evidence-Based Funding formula distribution system.

(1) In each school year under the Evidence-Based Funding formula, each Organizational Unit receives funding equal to the sum of its Base Funding Minimum and the unit's allocation of New State Funds determined pursuant to this subsection (g). To allocate New State Funds, the Evidence-Based Funding formula distribution system first places all Organizational Units into one of 4 tiers in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection (g), based on the Organizational Unit's Final Percent of Adequacy. New State Funds are allocated to each of the 4 tiers as follows: Tier 1 Aggregate Funding equals 50% of all New State Funds, Tier 2 Aggregate Funding equals 49% of all New State Funds, Tier 3 Aggregate Funding equals 0.9% of all New State Funds, and Tier 4 Aggregate Funding equals 0.1% of all New State Funds. Each Organizational Unit within Tier 1 or Tier 2 receives an allocation of New State Funds equal to its tier Funding Gap, as defined in the following sentence, multiplied by the tier's Allocation Rate determined pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection (g). For Tier 1, an Organizational Unit's Funding Gap equals the tier's Target Ratio, as specified in paragraph (5) of this subsection (g), multiplied by the Organizational Unit's Adequacy Target, with the resulting amount reduced by the Organizational Unit's Final Resources. For Tier 2, an Organizational Unit's Funding Gap equals the tier's Target Ratio, as described in paragraph (5) of this subsection (g), multiplied by the Organizational Unit's Adequacy Target, with the resulting amount reduced by the Organizational Unit's Final Resources and its Tier 1 funding allocation. To determine the Organizational Unit's Funding Gap, the resulting amount is then multiplied by a factor equal to one minus the Organizational Unit's Local Capacity Target percentage. Each Organizational Unit within Tier 3 or Tier 4 receives an allocation of New State Funds equal to the product of its Adequacy Target and the tier's Allocation Rate, as specified in paragraph (4) of this subsection (g).

(2) To ensure equitable distribution of dollars for all Tier 2 Organizational Units, no Tier 2 Organizational Unit shall receive fewer dollars per ASE than any Tier 3 Organizational Unit. Each Tier 2 and Tier 3 Organizational Unit shall have its funding allocation divided by its ASE. Any Tier 2 Organizational Unit with a funding allocation per ASE below the greatest Tier 3 allocation per ASE shall get a funding allocation equal to the greatest Tier 3 funding allocation per ASE multiplied by the Organizational Unit's ASE. Each Tier 2 Organizational Unit's Tier 2 funding allocation shall be multiplied by the percentage calculated by dividing the original Tier 2 Aggregate Funding by the sum of all Tier 2 Organizational Units' Tier 2 funding allocation after adjusting districts' funding below Tier 3 levels.

(3) Organizational Units are placed into one of 4 tiers as follows:

(A) Tier 1 consists of all Organizational Units, except for Specially Funded Units, with a Percent of Adequacy less than the Tier 1 Target Ratio. The Tier 1 Target Ratio is the ratio level that allows for Tier 1 Aggregate Funding to be distributed, with the Tier 1 Allocation Rate determined pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection (g).

(B) Tier 2 consists of all Tier 1 Units and all other Organizational Units, except for Specially Funded Units, with a Percent of Adequacy of less than 0.90.

(C) Tier 3 consists of all Organizational Units, except for Specially Funded Units, with a Percent of Adequacy of at least 0.90 and less than 1.0.

(D) Tier 4 consists of all Organizational Units with a Percent of Adequacy of at least 1.0.

(4) The Allocation Rates for Tiers 1 through 4 are determined as follows:

(A) The Tier 1 Allocation Rate is 30%.

(B) The Tier 2 Allocation Rate is the result of the following equation: Tier 2 Aggregate Funding, divided by the sum of the Funding Gaps for all Tier 2 Organizational Units, unless the result of such equation is higher than 1.0. If the result of such equation is higher than 1.0, then the Tier 2 Allocation Rate is 1.0.

(C) The Tier 3 Allocation Rate is the result of the following equation: Tier 3 Aggregate Funding, divided by the sum of the Adequacy Targets of all Tier 3 Organizational Units.

(D) The Tier 4 Allocation Rate is the result of the following equation: Tier 4 Aggregate Funding, divided by the sum of the Adequacy Targets of all Tier 4 Organizational Units.

(5) A tier's Target Ratio is determined as follows:

(A) The Tier 1 Target Ratio is the ratio level that allows for Tier 1 Aggregate Funding to be distributed with the Tier 1 Allocation Rate.

(B) The Tier 2 Target Ratio is 0.90.

(C) The Tier 3 Target Ratio is 1.0.

(6) If, at any point, the Tier 1 Target Ratio is greater than 90%, then all Tier 1 funding shall be allocated to Tier 2 and no Tier 1 Organizational Unit's funding may be identified.

(7) In the event that all Tier 2 Organizational Units receive funding at the Tier 2 Target Ratio level, any remaining New State Funds shall be allocated to Tier 3 and Tier 4 Organizational Units.

(8) If any Specially Funded Units, excluding Glenwood Academy, recognized by the State Board do not qualify for direct funding following the implementation of Public Act 100-465 from any of the funding sources included within the definition of Base Funding Minimum, the unqualified portion of the Base Funding Minimum shall be transferred to one or more appropriate Organizational Units as determined by the State Superintendent based on the prior year ASE of the Organizational Units.

(8.5) If a school district withdraws from a special education cooperative, the portion of the Base Funding Minimum that is attributable to the school district may be redistributed to the school district upon withdrawal. The school district and the cooperative must include the amount of the Base Funding Minimum that is to be reapportioned in their withdrawal agreement and notify the State Board of the change with a copy of the agreement upon withdrawal.

(9) The Minimum Funding Level is intended to establish a target for State funding that will keep pace with inflation and continue to advance equity through the Evidence-Based Funding formula. The target for State funding of New Property Tax Relief Pool Funds is $50,000,000 for State fiscal year 2019 and subsequent State fiscal years. The Minimum Funding Level is equal to $350,000,000. In addition to any New State Funds, no more than $50,000,000 New Property Tax Relief Pool Funds may be counted toward the Minimum Funding Level. If the sum of New State Funds and applicable New Property Tax Relief Pool Funds are less than the Minimum Funding Level, than funding for tiers shall be reduced in the following manner:

(A) First, Tier 4 funding shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the Minimum Funding Level and New State Funds until such time as Tier 4 funding is exhausted.

(B) Next, Tier 3 funding shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the Minimum Funding Level and New State Funds and the reduction in Tier 4 funding until such time as Tier 3 funding is exhausted.

(C) Next, Tier 2 funding shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the Minimum Funding Level and New State Funds and the reduction in Tier 4 and Tier 3.

(D) Finally, Tier 1 funding shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the Minimum Funding level and New State Funds and the reduction in Tier 2, 3, and 4 funding. In addition, the Allocation Rate for Tier 1 shall be reduced to a percentage equal to the Tier 1 Allocation Rate set by paragraph (4) of this subsection (g), multiplied by the result of New State Funds divided by the Minimum Funding Level.

(9.5) For State fiscal year 2019 and subsequent State fiscal years, except State fiscal year 2026, if New State Funds exceed $300,000,000, then any amount in excess of $300,000,000 shall be dedicated for purposes of Section 2-3.170 of this Code up to a maximum of $50,000,000.

(10) In the event of a decrease in the amount of the appropriation for this Section in any fiscal year after implementation of this Section, the Organizational Units receiving Tier 1 and Tier 2 funding, as determined under paragraph (3) of this subsection (g), shall be held harmless by establishing a Base Funding Guarantee equal to the per pupil kindergarten through grade 12 funding received in accordance with this Section in the prior fiscal year. Reductions shall be made to the Base Funding Minimum of Organizational Units in Tier 3 and Tier 4 on a per pupil basis equivalent to the total number of the ASE in Tier 3-funded and Tier 4-funded Organizational Units divided by the total reduction in State funding. The Base Funding Minimum as reduced shall continue to be applied to Tier 3 and Tier 4 Organizational Units and adjusted by the relative formula when increases in appropriations for this Section resume. In no event may State funding reductions to Organizational Units in Tier 3 or Tier 4 exceed an amount that would be less than the Base Funding Minimum established in the first year of implementation of this Section. If additional reductions are required, all school districts shall receive a reduction by a per pupil amount equal to the aggregate additional appropriation reduction divided by the total ASE of all Organizational Units.

(11) The State Superintendent shall make minor adjustments to the distribution formula set forth in this subsection (g) to account for the rounding of percentages to the nearest tenth of a percentage and dollar amounts to the nearest whole dollar.

(h) State Superintendent administration of funding and district submission requirements.

(1) The State Superintendent shall, in accordance with appropriations made by the General Assembly, meet the funding obligations created under this Section.

(2) The State Superintendent shall calculate the Adequacy Target for each Organizational Unit under this Section. No Evidence-Based Funding shall be distributed within an Organizational Unit without the approval of the unit's school board.

(3) Annually, the State Superintendent shall calculate and report to each Organizational Unit the unit's aggregate financial adequacy amount, which shall be the sum of the Adequacy Target for each Organizational Unit. The State Superintendent shall calculate and report separately for each Organizational Unit the unit's total State funds allocated for its students with disabilities. The State Superintendent shall calculate and report separately for each Organizational Unit the amount of funding and applicable FTE calculated for each Essential Element of the unit's Adequacy Target.

(4) Annually, the State Superintendent shall calculate and report to each Organizational Unit the amount the unit must expend on special education and bilingual education and computer technology and equipment for Organizational Units assigned to Tier 1 or Tier 2 that received an additional $285.50 per student computer technology and equipment investment grant to their Adequacy Target pursuant to the unit's Base Funding Minimum, Special Education Allocation, Bilingual Education Allocation, and computer technology and equipment investment allocation.

(5) Moneys distributed under this Section shall be calculated on a school year basis, but paid on a fiscal year basis, with payments beginning in August and extending through June. Unless otherwise provided, the moneys appropriated for each fiscal year shall be distributed in 22 equal payments at least 2 times monthly to each Organizational Unit. If moneys appropriated for any fiscal year are distributed other than monthly, the distribution shall be on the same basis for each Organizational Unit.

(6) Any school district that fails, for any given school year, to maintain school as required by law or to maintain a recognized school is not eligible to receive Evidence-Based Funding. In case of non-recognition of one or more attendance centers in a school district otherwise operating recognized schools, the claim of the district shall be reduced in the proportion that the enrollment in the attendance center or centers bears to the enrollment of the school district. "Recognized school" means any public school that meets the standards for recognition by the State Board. A school district or attendance center not having recognition status at the end of a school term is entitled to receive State aid payments due upon a legal claim that was filed while it was recognized.

(7) School district claims filed under this Section are subject to Sections 18-9 and 18-12 of this Code, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

(8) Each fiscal year, the State Superintendent shall calculate for each Organizational Unit an amount of its Base Funding Minimum and Evidence-Based Funding that shall be deemed attributable to the provision of special educational facilities and services, as defined in Section 14-1.08 of this Code, in a manner that ensures compliance with maintenance of State financial support requirements under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. An Organizational Unit must use such funds only for the provision of special educational facilities and services, as defined in Section 14-1.08 of this Code, and must comply with any expenditure verification procedures adopted by the State Board.

(9) All Organizational Units in this State must submit annual spending plans, as part of the budget submission process, no later than October 31 of each year to the State Board. The spending plan shall describe how each Organizational Unit will utilize the Base Funding Minimum and Evidence-Based Funding it receives from this State under this Section with specific identification of the intended utilization of Low-Income, English learner, and special education resources. Additionally, the annual spending plans of each Organizational Unit shall describe how the Organizational Unit expects to achieve student growth and how the Organizational Unit will achieve State education goals, as defined by the State Board, and shall indicate which stakeholder groups the Organizational Unit engaged with to inform its annual spending plans. The State Superintendent may, from time to time, identify additional requisites for Organizational Units to satisfy when compiling the annual spending plans required under this subsection (h). The format and scope of annual spending plans shall be developed by the State Superintendent and the State Board of Education. School districts that serve students under Article 14C of this Code shall continue to submit information as required under Section 14C-12 of this Code. Annual spending plans required under this subsection (h) shall be integrated into annual school district budgets completed pursuant to Section 17-1 or Section 34-43. Organizational Units that do not submit a budget to the State Board shall be provided with a separate planning template developed by the State Board. The State Board shall create an Evidence-Based Funding spending plan tool to make Evidence-Based Funding spending plan data for each Organizational Unit available on the State Board's website no later than December 31, 2025, with annual updates thereafter. The tool shall allow for the selection and review of each Organizational Unit's planned use of Evidence-Based Funding.

(10) No later than January 1, 2018, the State Superintendent shall develop a 5-year strategic plan for all Organizational Units to help in planning for adequacy funding under this Section. The State Superintendent shall submit the plan to the Governor and the General Assembly, as provided in Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act. The plan shall include recommendations for:

(A) a framework for collaborative, professional, innovative, and 21st century learning environments using the Evidence-Based Funding model;

(B) ways to prepare and support this State's educators for successful instructional careers;

(C) application and enhancement of the current financial accountability measures, the approved State plan to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, and the Illinois Balanced Accountability Measures in relation to student growth and elements of the Evidence-Based Funding model; and

(D) implementation of an effective school adequacy funding system based on projected and recommended funding levels from the General Assembly.

(11) On an annual basis, the State Superintendent must recalibrate all of the following per pupil elements of the Adequacy Target and applied to the formulas, based on the study of average expenses and as reported in the most recent annual financial report:

(A) Gifted under subparagraph (M) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(B) Instructional materials under subparagraph (O) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(C) Assessment under subparagraph (P) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(D) Student activities under subparagraph (R) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(E) Maintenance and operations under subparagraph (S) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(F) Central office under subparagraph (T) of paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(i) Professional Review Panel.

(1) A Professional Review Panel is created to study and review topics related to the implementation and effect of Evidence-Based Funding, as assigned by a joint resolution or Public Act of the General Assembly or a motion passed by the State Board of Education. The Panel must provide recommendations to and serve the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Board. The State Superintendent or his or her designee must serve as a voting member and chairperson of the Panel. The State Superintendent must appoint a vice chairperson from the membership of the Panel. The Panel must advance recommendations based on a three-fifths majority vote of Panel members present and voting. A minority opinion may also accompany any recommendation of the Panel. The Panel shall be appointed by the State Superintendent, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection (i) and include the following members:

(A) Two appointees that represent district superintendents, recommended by a statewide organization that represents district superintendents.

(B) Two appointees that represent school boards, recommended by a statewide organization that represents school boards.

(C) Two appointees from districts that represent school business officials, recommended by a statewide organization that represents school business officials.

(D) Two appointees that represent school principals, recommended by a statewide organization that represents school principals.

(E) Two appointees that represent teachers, recommended by a statewide organization that represents teachers.

(F) Two appointees that represent teachers, recommended by another statewide organization that represents teachers.

(G) Two appointees that represent regional superintendents of schools, recommended by organizations that represent regional superintendents.

(H) Two independent experts selected solely by the State Superintendent.

(I) Two independent experts recommended by public universities in this State.

(J) One member recommended by a statewide organization that represents parents.

(K) Two representatives recommended by collective impact organizations that represent major metropolitan areas or geographic areas in Illinois.

(L) One member from a statewide organization focused on research-based education policy to support a school system that prepares all students for college, a career, and democratic citizenship.

(M) One representative from a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code.

The State Superintendent shall ensure that the membership of the Panel includes representatives from school districts and communities reflecting the geographic, socio-economic, racial, and ethnic diversity of this State. The State Superintendent shall additionally ensure that the membership of the Panel includes representatives with expertise in bilingual education and special education. Staff from the State Board shall staff the Panel.

(2) In addition to those Panel members appointed by the State Superintendent, 4 members of the General Assembly shall be appointed as follows: one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and one member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. There shall be one additional member appointed by the Governor. All members appointed by legislative leaders or the Governor shall be non-voting, ex officio members.

(3) The Panel must study topics at the direction of the General Assembly or State Board of Education, as provided under paragraph (1). The Panel may also study the following topics at the direction of the chairperson:

(A) The format and scope of annual spending plans referenced in paragraph (9) of subsection (h) of this Section.

(B) The Comparable Wage Index under this Section.

(C) Maintenance and operations, including capital maintenance and construction costs.

(D) "At-risk student" definition.

(E) Benefits.

(F) Technology.

(G) Local Capacity Target.

(H) Funding for Alternative Schools, Laboratory Schools, safe schools, and alternative learning opportunities programs.

(I) Funding for college and career acceleration strategies.

(J) Special education investments.

(K) Early childhood investments, in collaboration with the Illinois Early Learning Council.

(4) (Blank).

(5) Within 5 years after the implementation of this Section, and every 5 years thereafter, the Panel shall complete an evaluative study of the entire Evidence-Based Funding model, including an assessment of whether or not the formula is achieving State goals. The Panel shall report to the State Board, the General Assembly, and the Governor on the findings of the study.

(6) (Blank).

(7) To ensure that (i) the Adequacy Target calculation under subsection (b) accurately reflects the needs of students living in poverty or attending schools located in areas of high poverty, (ii) racial equity within the Evidence-Based Funding formula is explicitly explored and advanced, and (iii) the funding goals of the formula distribution system established under this Section are sufficient to provide adequate funding for every student and to fully fund every school in this State, the Panel shall review the Essential Elements under paragraph (2) of subsection (b). The Panel shall consider all of the following in its review:

(A) The financial ability of school districts to provide instruction in a world foreign language to every student and whether an additional Essential Element should be added to the formula to ensure that every student has access to instruction in a world foreign language.

(B) The adult-to-student ratio for each Essential Element in which a ratio is identified. The Panel shall consider whether the ratio accurately reflects the staffing needed to support students living in poverty or who have traumatic backgrounds.

(C) Changes to the Essential Elements that may be required to better promote racial equity and eliminate structural racism within schools.

(D) The impact of investing $350,000,000 in additional funds each year under this Section and an estimate of when the school system will become fully funded under this level of appropriation.

(E) Provide an overview of alternative funding structures that would enable the State to become fully funded at an earlier date.

(F) The potential to increase efficiency and to find cost savings within the school system to expedite the journey to a fully funded system.

(G) The appropriate levels for reenrolling and graduating high-risk high school students who have been previously out of school. These outcomes shall include enrollment, attendance, skill gains, credit gains, graduation or promotion to the next grade level, and the transition to college, training, or employment, with an emphasis on progressively increasing the overall attendance.

(H) The evidence-based or research-based practices that are shown to reduce the gaps and disparities experienced by African American students in academic achievement and educational performance, including practices that have been shown to reduce disparities in disciplinary rates, drop-out rates, graduation rates, college matriculation rates, and college completion rates.

On or before December 31, 2021, the Panel shall report to the State Board, the General Assembly, and the Governor on the findings of its review. This paragraph (7) is inoperative on and after July 1, 2022.

(8) On or before April 1, 2024, the Panel must submit a report to the General Assembly on annual adjustments to Glenwood Academy's base-funding minimum in a similar fashion to school districts under this Section.

(9) On or before March 31, 2026, the Professional Review Panel shall make a report to the Governor and the General Assembly assessing the impact of the property tax relief pool grant program under Section 2-3.170, including the number of districts participating in the program by fiscal year since Fiscal Year 2019, the tier assignment for participating school districts, and an analysis of the operating tax rates of participating school districts to determine if the grant program is meeting the legislative intent of reducing property taxes in high-tax areas of the State.

(j) References. Beginning July 1, 2017, references in other laws to general State aid funds or calculations under Section 18-8.05 of this Code (now repealed) shall be deemed to be references to evidence-based model formula funds or calculations under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-175, eff. 6-30-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-780, eff. 8-2-24; 103-802, eff. 1-1-25; 104-2, eff. 6-16-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25; 104-435, eff. 11-21-25; revised 12-9-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-10)

Sec. 21B-10. State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

(a) The State Teacher Certification Board, which had been established under Section 21-13 of the School Code prior to this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, shall be renamed the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. References in law to the State Teacher Certification Board shall mean the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall consist of the State Superintendent of Education or a representative appointed by him or her, who shall be ex-officio chairperson, 5 administrative or faculty members of public or private colleges or universities located in this State, 3 administrative or faculty members of public community colleges located in this State, 3 administrators and 10 classroom teachers employed in the public schools (5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a statewide professional teachers' organization and 5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a different statewide professional teachers' organization), and one regional superintendent of schools, all of whom shall be appointed by the State Superintendent Board of Education; provided that at least one of the administrators and at least 3 of the classroom teachers so appointed must be employees of a school district that is subject to the provisions of Article 34 of this Code. A statewide professional teachers' organization and a different statewide professional teachers' organization shall submit to the State Superintendent Board of Education for consideration at least 3 names of accomplished teachers for every one vacancy or expiring term in a classroom teacher position. The nominations submitted to the State Superintendent Board of Education under this Section to fill a vacancy or an expiring term shall be advisory. Nomination for State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board members must be submitted to the State Superintendent Board of Education within 30 days after the vacancy or vacancies occur. Nominations to fill an expiring term must be submitted to the State Superintendent of Education at least 30 days before the expiration of that term. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if a sufficient number of nominations are not received by the State Superintendent of Education for a vacancy or expiring term within the 30-day period, then the State Superintendent of Education may appoint any qualified person, in the same manner as the original appointment, to fill the vacancy or expiring term. The regular term of each member is 3 years, and an individual may be appointed for no more than 2 consecutive terms. The term of an appointed member of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall expire on June 30 of his or her final year.

The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board may allow one member representing the Board of Higher Education and one member representing the Illinois Community College Board to serve as nonvoting, ex officio members on the Board.

(b) The State Superintendent Board of Education shall appoint a secretary of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

(c) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and such other special meetings as may be necessary.

(d) The necessary expenses of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall be provided through the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary for the administration of this Article.

(e) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 104-128, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-15)

Sec. 21B-15. Qualifications of educators.

(a) No one may be licensed to teach or supervise or be otherwise employed in the public schools of this State who is not of good character and at least 19 years of age, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (J) of subsection (2) of Section 21B-20.

In determining good character under this Section, the State Superintendent of Education shall take into consideration the disciplinary actions of other states or national entities against certificates or licenses issued by those states and held by individuals from those states. In addition, any felony conviction of the applicant may be taken into consideration; however, no one may be licensed to teach or supervise in the public schools of this State who has been convicted of (i) an offense set forth in subsection (b) of Section 21B-80 of this Code until 7 years following the end of the sentence for the criminal offense or (ii) an offense set forth in subsection (c) of Section 21B-80 of this Code. Unless the conviction is for an offense set forth in Section 21B-80 of this Code, an applicant must be permitted to submit character references or other written material before such a conviction or other information regarding the applicant's character may be used by the State Superintendent of Education as a basis for denying the application.

(b) No person otherwise qualified shall be denied the right to be licensed or to receive training for the purpose of becoming an educator because of a physical disability, including, but not limited to, visual and hearing disabilities; nor shall any school district refuse to employ a teacher on such grounds, provided that the person is able to carry out the duties of the position for which he or she applies.

(c) No person may be granted or continue to hold an educator license who has knowingly altered or misrepresented his or her qualifications, in this State or any other state, in order to acquire or renew the license. Any other license issued under this Article held by the person may be suspended or revoked by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, depending upon the severity of the alteration or misrepresentation.

(d) No one may teach or supervise in the public schools nor receive for teaching or supervising any part of any public school fund who does not hold an educator license granted by the State Superintendent of Education as provided in this Article. However, the provisions of this Article do not apply to a member of the armed forces who is employed as a teacher of subjects in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of any school, a retiree of the armed forces who meets the qualifications set forth in 10 U.S.C. 2033, or nor to an individual teaching a dual credit course as provided for in the Dual Credit Quality Act.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the school board of a school district may grant to a teacher of the district a leave of absence with full pay for a period of not more than one year to permit the teacher to teach in a country other than the United States foreign state under the provisions of the Exchange Teacher Program established under Public Law 584, 79th Congress, and Public Law 402, 80th Congress, as amended. The school board granting the leave of absence may employ, with or without pay, a national of the country other than the United States foreign state wherein the teacher on the leave of absence is to teach if the national is qualified to teach in that country foreign state and if that national is to teach in a grade level similar to the one that was taught in that country the foreign state. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt rules as may be necessary to implement this subsection (e).

(f) No person shall be denied a license issued under this Article solely based on his or her citizenship status or immigration status. The General Assembly finds and declares that this subsection (f) is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the requirements to obtain a license that are not directly related to citizenship status or immigration status. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to grant eligibility for obtaining any public benefit other than a license issued under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 102-713, eff. 1-1-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-20)

Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of Education shall implement a system of educator licensure, whereby individuals employed in school districts who are required to be licensed must have one of the following licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2028, a short-term substitute teaching license. References in law regarding individuals certified or certificated or required to be certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June 30 following one full year of the license being issued.

The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for licenses and endorsements under this Section.

(1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i) have successfully completed an approved educator preparation program and are recommended for licensure by the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation program, (ii) have successfully completed the required testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have successfully completed coursework on the psychology of, the identification of, and the methods of instruction for the exceptional child, including, without limitation, children with learning disabilities, (iv) have successfully completed coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other criteria established by rule of the State Board of Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License. Persons seeking a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement or chief school business official endorsement are exempt from the requirements in items (iii) and (iv). All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license being issued. The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is eligible to practice. For an early childhood education endorsement, an individual may satisfy the student teaching requirement of his or her early childhood teacher preparation program through placement in a setting with children from birth through grade 2, and the individual may be paid and receive credit while student teaching. The student teaching experience must meet the requirements of and be approved by the individual's early childhood teacher preparation program. No institution of higher education shall establish or maintain any policy which requires student teaching for preservice teachers to be unpaid.

Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.

(2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement that limits the license holder to one particular position or does not require completion of an approved educator program or both.

An individual with an Educator License with Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.

An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued with the following endorsements:

(A) (Blank).

(B) Alternative provisional educator. An alternative provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has done all of the following:

(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

(ii) Successfully completed the first phase of the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this Code.

(iii) Passed a content area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.

The alternative provisional educator endorsement is valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a third year by an individual meeting the requirements set forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.

(C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant superintendent in a school district's central office. This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has done all of the following:

(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a master's degree in a management field other than education.

(ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5 years in a management level position in a field other than education.

(iii) Successfully completed the first phase of an alternative route to superintendent endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55 of this Code.

(iv) Passed a content area test required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.

The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in order to complete one full year of serving as a superintendent or assistant superintendent.

(D) (Blank).

(E) Career and technical educator. A career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or an accredited trade and technical institution and has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of education in each area to be taught.

The career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed.

An individual who holds a valid career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree may substitute teach in career and technical education classrooms.

An individual who holds a valid career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is entitled to all of the rights and privileges granted to a holder of a Professional Educator License.

(F) (Blank).

(G) Transitional bilingual educator. A transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for the purpose of providing instruction in accordance with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the following requirements:

(i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and writing ability in the language other than English in which transitional bilingual education is offered.

(ii) Has the ability to successfully communicate in English.

(iii) Either possessed, within 5 years previous to his or her applying for a transitional bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and comparable teaching certificate or comparable authorization issued by a foreign country other than the United States or holds a degree from an institution of higher learning in a foreign country other than the United States that the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States.

A transitional bilingual educator endorsement shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.

Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator endorsement shall not be employed to replace any presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.

(H) Language endorsement. In an effort to alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language other than English in the public schools, an individual who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may also apply for a language endorsement, provided that the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the following requirements:

(i) Holds a transitional bilingual endorsement.

(ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the language for which the endorsement is to be issued by passing the applicable language content test required by the State Board of Education.

(iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or, for individuals educated in a country other than the United States, holds a degree from an institution of higher learning in a foreign country other than the United States that the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the United States.

(iv) (Blank).

A language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through grade 12 for the same validity period as the individual's transitional bilingual educator endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations and shall not be renewed.

(I) Visiting international educator. A visiting international educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an individual who is being recruited by a particular school district that conducts formal recruitment programs outside of the United States to secure the services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the following requirements:

(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a bachelor's degree issued in the United States.

(ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the grade level for which he or she will be employed.

(iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the subject to be taught.

(iv) Has an adequate command of the English language.

A holder of a visiting international educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education programs in the language that was the medium of instruction in his or her teacher preparation program, provided that he or she passes the English Language Proficiency Examination or another test of writing skills in English identified by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

A visiting international educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 5 years and shall not be renewed.

(J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and (i) holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; (ii) has passed a paraprofessional competency test under subsection (c-5) of Section 21B-30; or (iii) is at least 18 years of age and will be using the Educator License with Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten through grade 8, until the individual reaches the age of 19 years and otherwise meets the criteria for a paraprofessional educator endorsement pursuant to this subparagraph (J). The paraprofessional educator endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed through application and payment of the appropriate fee, as required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator endorsement is not subject to additional requirements in order to renew the endorsement.

(K) Chief school business official. A chief school business official endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience in school business management or 2 years of university-approved practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the State Board of Education for the preparation of school business administrators and by passage of the applicable State tests, including an applicable content area test.

The chief school business official endorsement may also be affixed to the Educator License with Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or public administration and who completes an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school business management from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and passes the applicable State tests, including an applicable content area test. This endorsement shall be required for any individual employed as a chief school business official.

The chief school business official endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the license holder completes renewal requirements as required for individuals who hold a Professional Educator License endorsed for chief school business official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such rules as may be adopted by the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to implement Public Act 100-288.

(L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and who has not successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but who meets all of the following requirements:

(i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.

(ii) Has completed an approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution.

(iii) Has passed an applicable content area test, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.

(iv) Has attempted an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a minimum score on that assessment, as established by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not be renewed.

(M) (Blank).

(N) Specialized services. A specialized services endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued as defined and specified by rule.

(O) Provisional career and technical educator. A provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. Each employing school board and regional office of education shall provide verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent of Education at the time the application is submitted that no qualified teacher holding a Professional Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations with a career and technical educator endorsement is available to teach and that actual circumstances require such issuance.

A provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed.

An individual who holds a provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may teach as a substitute teacher in career and technical education classrooms.

An individual who holds a provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is entitled to all of the rights and privileges granted to a holder of a Professional Educator License.

(P) Provisional educator. A provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who was trained in another state or country and meets the requirements of Section 21B-35 but has not passed all applicable content area tests to qualify for a Professional Educator License.

A provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 2 full fiscal years after the date of issuance and may not be renewed. Only one Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for provisional educator may be issued to an educator.

(3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching License may be issued to qualified applicants for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or must be enrolled in an approved educator preparation program in this State and have earned at least 90 credit hours.

Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.

Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an individual has had his or her Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute Teaching License.

A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under contract because of an emergency situation, then a district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the district if the district notifies the appropriate regional office of education within 5 business days after the employment of the substitute teacher in that vacant position. A district may continue to employ that same substitute teacher in that same vacant position for 90 calendar days or until the end of the semester, whichever is greater, if, prior to the expiration of the 30-calendar-day period then current, the district files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education for a 30-calendar-day extension on the basis that the position remains vacant and the district continues to actively seek qualified candidates and provides documentation that it has provided training specific to the position, including training on meeting the needs of students with disabilities and English learners if applicable. Each extension request shall be granted in writing by the regional office of education. An emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy has occurred and (i) a teacher is unexpectedly unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous indications or vacancies are unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates, and the district is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the vacant position.

There is no limit on the number of days that a substitute teacher may teach in a single school district, provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of this Code.

A school district may not require an individual who holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.

(4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2028, applicants may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may be issued to a qualified applicant for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate's degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an individual has had his or her Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.

The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.

An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may teach no more than 15 consecutive days per licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who is under contract, a school district may not hire an individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License, unless the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or 34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public school. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses under this Section are valid for 5 years.

(Source: P.A. 103-111, eff. 6-29-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-193, eff. 1-1-24; 103-564, eff. 11-17-23; 103-617, eff. 7-1-24; 104-128, eff. 1-1-26; 104-316, eff. 8-15-25; revised 11-20-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-30)

Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.

(a) (Blank).

(b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations and indicators must be based on national and State professional teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. By July 1, 2027, the State Superintendent of Education shall begin incorporating the following topics into revised examinations for individuals seeking a Professional Educator License endorsed in teaching or administration, excluding a chief school business official endorsement: (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child; (ii) methods of reading and reading in the content area; and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. The State Board of Education may adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this Section.

(c) (Blank).

(c-5) The State Board must adopt rules to implement a paraprofessional competency test. This test would allow an applicant seeking an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement to obtain the endorsement if he or she passes the test and meets the other requirements of subparagraph (J) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 other than the higher education requirements.

(d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There shall be no exception to this requirement except for an applicant seeking a school support personnel endorsement who holds an active and valid professional license issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in the same subject matter as the endorsement sought, as specified by rule by the State Board, or as provided under subparagraph (P) of paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20. However, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, individuals seeking a short-term approval for school support personnel, as defined in rules, are not required to take the test of content area knowledge prior to the short-term approval being issued.

(d-5) The State Board shall consult with any applicable vendors within 90 days after July 28, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-402) to develop a plan to transition the test of content area knowledge in the endorsement area of elementary education, grades one through 6, by July 1, 2026 to a content area test that contains testing elements that cover bilingualism, biliteracy, oral language development, foundational literacy skills, and developmentally appropriate higher-order comprehension and on which a valid and reliable language and literacy subscore can be determined. The State Board shall base its rules concerning the passing subscore on the language and literacy portion of the test on the recommended cut-score determined in the formal standard-setting process. Candidates need not achieve a particular subscore in the area of language and literacy. The State Board shall aggregate and publish the number of candidates in each preparation program who take the test and the number who pass the language and literacy portion.

(e) (Blank).

(f) Beginning on August 4, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-488) through August 31, 2026, no candidate completing a teacher preparation program in this State or candidate subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code is required to pass a teacher performance assessment. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning on September 1, 2015 until August 4, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-488) and beginning again on September 1, 2029, all candidates completing teacher preparation programs in this State and all candidates subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass a teacher performance assessment approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Any candidate who has successfully completed student teaching or has met one of the student teaching exceptions set forth in rules prior to September 1, 2029 2028 is exempt from this requirement. A candidate may not be required to submit test materials by video submission. Subject to appropriation, an individual who holds a Professional Educator License and is employed for a minimum of one school year by a school district designated as Tier 1 under Section 18-8.15 may, after application to the State Board, receive from the State Board a refund for any costs associated with completing the teacher performance assessment under this subsection.

Beginning on September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029, all institutions of higher education offering educator preparation programs in this State shall participate in the pilot program set forth in Section 21B-32 for the teacher performance assessment developed by the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the administration of this subsection.

(f-5) The Teacher Performance Assessment Task Force is created to evaluate potential performance-based and objective teacher performance assessment systems for implementation across all educator preparation programs in this State, with the intention of ensuring consistency across programs and supporting a thoughtful and well-rounded licensure system. Members appointed to the Task Force must reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of this State. The Task Force shall consist of all of the following members:

(1) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2) One member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(3) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(5) One member who represents a statewide professional teachers' organization, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(6) One member who represents a different statewide professional teachers' organization, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(7) One member from a statewide organization representing school principals, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(8) One member from a statewide organization representing regional superintendents of schools, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(9) One member from a statewide organization representing school administrators, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(10) One member representing a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(11) One member of an association representing rural and small schools, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(12) One member representing a suburban school district, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(13) One member from a statewide organization representing school districts in the southern suburbs of the City of Chicago, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(14) One member from a statewide organization representing large unit school districts, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(15) One member from a statewide organization representing school districts in the collar counties of the City of Chicago, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(16) Three members, each representing a different public university in this State and each a current member of the faculty of an approved educator preparation program, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(17) Three members, each representing a different 4-year nonpublic university or college in this State and each a current member of the faculty of an approved educator preparation program, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(18) One member of the Board of Higher Education, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(19) One member representing a statewide policy organization advocating on behalf of multilingual students and families, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(20) One member representing a statewide organization focused on research-based education policy to support a school system that prepares all students for college, a career, and democratic citizenship, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(21) Two members representing an early childhood advocacy organization, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(22) One member representing a statewide organization that partners with educator preparation programs and school districts to support the growth and development of preservice teachers, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(23) One member representing a statewide organization that advocates for educational equity and racial justice in schools, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(24) One member representing a statewide organization that represents school boards, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(25) One member who has, within the last 5 years, served as a cooperating teacher, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. The Task Force shall first meet at the call of the State Superintendent of Education, and each subsequent meeting shall be called by the chairperson of the Task Force, who shall be designated by the State Superintendent of Education. The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

On or before October 31, 2024, the Task Force shall report on its work, including recommendations on a teacher performance assessment system in this State, to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly. The Task Force is dissolved upon submission of this report.

(g) The content area knowledge test and the teacher performance assessment shall be the tests that from time to time are designated by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and may be tests prepared by an educational testing organization or tests designed by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The test of content area knowledge shall assess content knowledge in a specific subject field. The tests must be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no person taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to the person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The score required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education's rules for scoring the content area knowledge test may include scoring and retaking of each test section separately and independently. The tests shall be administered not fewer than 3 times a year at such time and place as may be designated by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code in the English language and in the language of the transitional bilingual education program requested by the applicant.

(g-5) On or before July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall post publicly on its website the process by which the State Board or any entity designated by the State Board evaluates content area knowledge tests to determine content validity, an absence of bias, or the scores required to pass such tests. The State Board shall also make the following information publicly available on its website:

(1) the process by which members are selected to form a committee or group to make the determinations set forth in this subsection (g-5); and

(2) the agenda and summary of each meeting of any such committee or group.

(h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school district subject to Article 34 of this Code.

(i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the testing requirements under this Section shall include, without limitation, provisions governing test selection, test validation, and determination of a passing score, administration of the tests, frequency of administration, applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.

(Source: P.A. 103-402, eff. 7-28-23; 103-488, eff. 8-4-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 103-780, eff. 8-2-24; 103-811, eff. 8-9-24; 103-846, eff. 8-9-24; 104-128, eff. 1-1-26; 104-385, eff. 1-1-26; 104-399, eff. 1-1-26; revised 9-12-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-32)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)

Sec. 21B-32. Teacher Performance Assessment Advisory Committee.

(a) The State Superintendent of Education shall establish a Teacher Performance Assessment Advisory Committee of no more than 15 members to aid in operationalizing and creating a pilot, State-developed, teacher performance assessment (TPA). The Committee shall, at a minimum, do all of the following:

(1) Create materials and resources that are necessary for the implementation of a TPA.

(2) Identify sources of evidence required for the evaluation of a TPA.

(3) Monitor a multiyear pilot program to create a State-developed TPA and make recommendations informed by collected data of modifications to the TPA.

(4) Support the State Board of Education in developing rubrics and the resources necessary for the completion and evaluation of the valid and reliable assessment, creating the required training for evaluators of the assessment, implementing the multiyear pilot program, including, but not limited to, establishing criteria and sufficient evidence for successful completion of the TPA, and recommending refinements to the assessment as needed.

(b) The membership of the Committee shall include individuals with expertise in assessment development, including statisticians and psychometricians, and individuals with expertise in the elements of effective teaching, including current Illinois educators. The membership of the Committee shall represent the ethnic, racial, and geographic diversity of this State and include expertise across early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school settings, as well as expertise in the instruction of English learners and students with disabilities.

(c) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative support to the Committee.

(d) Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses, including travel, from funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for that purpose, subject to the rules of the appropriate travel control board.

(e) The first meeting of the Committee shall be at the call of the State Superintendent, and each subsequent meeting shall be at the call of the chairperson, who shall be designated by the State Superintendent. The Committee shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and such other meetings as determined by its chairperson.

(f) Data from completed pilot TPAs from institutions of higher education with approved educator preparation programs shall be shared with the Committee, which shall, as applicable, provide an annual recommendation on the use of the TPA to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board and the State Board of Education.

(g) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Committee, may adopt such rules as may be necessary for the administration of this Section.

(h) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2029 2028.

(Source: P.A. 104-128, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-35)

Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries.

(a) Any applicant who has not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area must meet the following requirements:

(1) the applicant must:

(A) hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade level and content area credentials from another state, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and content area credentials from another state;

(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;

(C) (blank); and

(D) have successfully passed all State examinations required by Section 21B-30; however, an applicant who has successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete a test of content area knowledge under Section 21B-30; or

(2) the applicant must:

(A) have completed a state-approved program for the licensure area sought, including . Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, the program must include coursework concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 23 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners; however, an applicant who has successfully completed the revised State examination identified in subsection (b) of Section 21B-30 and a state-approved program does not need to show completion of the coursework identified in this subparagraph (A);

(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;

(C) have successfully met all Illinois examination requirements, except that:

(i) (blank);

(ii) an applicant who has successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete a test of content area knowledge under Section 21B-30; and

(iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement who has successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness; and

(D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement, have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or, for an applicant for a school service personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.

(b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area, applicants trained in another country must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a comparable education program in another country.

(2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.

(3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

(4) Have Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 26 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. However, applicants who have successfully completed the revised State examination identified in subsection (b) of Section 21B-30 are exempt from this paragraph (4), and applicants Applicants seeking a school support personnel endorsement are exempt from this paragraph (4).

(5) (Blank).

(6) (Blank).

(7) Have successfully met all State licensure examination requirements.

(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience.

(9) (Blank).

(b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and applicants trained in another country applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed an educator preparation program approved by another state or comparable educator program in another country leading to the receipt of a license or certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.

(2) Have successfully met all State licensure examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. However, applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content area knowledge.

(2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by rule.

(3) (Blank).

(4) Have Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 26 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. However, applicants who have successfully completed the revised State examination identified in subsection (b) of Section 21B-30 are exempt from this paragraph (4).

(4.5) (Blank).

(5) Have completed a master's degree.

(6) Have successfully completed teaching, school support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.

(b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a master's degree.

(2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing special education services.

(3) Have successfully completed all examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. However, applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content area knowledge.

(4) Have Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 26 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. However, applicants who have successfully completed the revised State examination identified in subsection (b) of Section 21B-30 are exempt from this paragraph (4).

(b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for chief school business official must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a master's degree in school business management, finance, or accounting.

(2) Have successfully completed an internship in school business management or have 2 years of experience as a school business administrator.

(3) Have successfully met all State examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. However, applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content area knowledge.

(4) (Blank).

(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-402, eff. 7-28-23; 104-128, eff. 1-1-26.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-40)

Sec. 21B-40. Fees.

(a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall be charged to applicants:

(1) A $100 application fee for a Professional Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations.

(1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching License. If the application for a Substitute Teaching License is made and granted after July 1, 2017, the licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full school days within one year of issuance.

(1.7) A $25 application fee for a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. The Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must be registered in at least one region in this State, but does not require a registration fee. The licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the Short-Term Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full school days within one year of issuance. The application fee for a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License shall be waived when the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

(2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection (a).

(3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or approval.

(4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be paid to the regional office of education having supervision and control over the school in which the individual holding the license is to be employed. If the individual holding the license is not yet employed, then the license may be registered in any county in this State. The registration fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the individual registers the license for a particular validity period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged for that validity period should the individual subsequently register the license in additional regions. An individual must register the license (i) immediately after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has satisfied the renewal requirements required under this Code.

Beginning on July 1, 2017, at the beginning of each renewal cycle, individuals who hold a Substitute Teaching License may apply for a reimbursement of the registration fee within 18 months of renewal and shall be issued that reimbursement by the State Board of Education from funds appropriated for that purpose if the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full school days within one year of renewal.

(5) The license renewal fee for an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement is $25.

(b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be deposited into the Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of Education to provide the technology and human resources necessary for the timely and efficient processing of applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available from the Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment and retention of educators, to support educator preparation programs in preparing high quality educators as they seek national accreditation, and to provide professional development aligned with the requirements set forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds in the Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers, authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of this State, and moneys in the Teacher Licensure Certificate Fee Revolving Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any time.

The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.

(c) The State Board of Education and each regional office of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor that has entered into a contract with the State Board or regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must be paid to that company or vendor.

(d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21 of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of the validity period of the certificate and these years have not expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must be applied to the registration of the new license.

(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-570, eff. 8-23-19; 102-867, eff. 5-13-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/22-30)

Sec. 22-30. Self-administration and self-carry of asthma medication and epinephrine delivery systems injectors; administration of undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors; administration of an opioid antagonist; administration of undesignated asthma medication; supply of undesignated oxygen tanks; asthma episode emergency response protocol.

(a) For the purpose of this Section only, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

"Asthma action plan" means a written plan developed with a pupil's medical provider to help control the pupil's asthma. The goal of an asthma action plan is to reduce or prevent flare-ups and emergency department visits through day-to-day management and to serve as a student-specific document to be referenced in the event of an asthma episode.

"Asthma episode emergency response protocol" means a procedure to provide assistance to a pupil experiencing symptoms of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or breathing difficulty.

"Epinephrine delivery system" means any form of epinephrine that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, including any device that contains a dose of epinephrine, and that is used to administer epinephrine into the human body to prevent or treat a life-threatening allergic reaction injector" includes an auto-injector approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the administration of epinephrine and a pre-filled syringe approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and used for the administration of epinephrine that contains a pre-measured dose of epinephrine that is equivalent to the dosages used in an auto-injector.

"Asthma medication" means quick-relief asthma medication, including albuterol or other short-acting bronchodilators, that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of respiratory distress. "Asthma medication" includes medication delivered through a device, including a metered dose inhaler with a reusable or disposable spacer or a nebulizer with a mouthpiece or mask.

"Opioid antagonist" means a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effect of opioids acting on those receptors, including, but not limited to, naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"Respiratory distress" means the perceived or actual presence of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, or any other symptoms consistent with asthma. Respiratory distress may be categorized as "mild-to-moderate" or "severe".

"School nurse" means a registered nurse working in a school with or without licensure endorsed in school nursing.

"Self-administration" means a pupil's discretionary use of his or her prescribed asthma medication or epinephrine delivery system injector.

"Self-carry" means a pupil's ability to carry his or her prescribed asthma medication or epinephrine delivery system injector.

"Standing protocol" may be issued by (i) a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, (ii) a licensed physician assistant with prescriptive authority, or (iii) a licensed advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority.

"Trained personnel" means any school employee or volunteer personnel authorized in Sections 10-22.34, 10-22.34a, and 10-22.34b of this Code who has completed training under subsection (g) of this Section to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis, an opioid overdose, or respiratory distress.

"Undesignated asthma medication" means asthma medication prescribed in the name of a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school.

"Undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector" means an epinephrine delivery system injector prescribed in the name of a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school.

(b) A school, whether public, charter, or nonpublic, must permit the self-administration and self-carry of asthma medication by a pupil with asthma or the self-administration and self-carry of an epinephrine delivery system injector by a pupil, provided that:

(1) the parents or guardians of the pupil provide to the school (i) written authorization from the parents or guardians for (A) the self-administration and self-carry of asthma medication or (B) the self-carry of asthma medication or (ii) for (A) the self-administration and self-carry of an epinephrine delivery system injector or (B) the self-carry of an epinephrine delivery system injector, written authorization from the pupil's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse; and

(2) the parents or guardians of the pupil provide to the school (i) the prescription label, which must contain the name of the asthma medication, the prescribed dosage, and the time at which or circumstances under which the asthma medication is to be administered, or (ii) for the self-administration or self-carry of an epinephrine delivery system injector, a written statement from the pupil's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse containing the following information:

(A) the name and purpose of the epinephrine delivery system injector;

(B) the prescribed dosage; and

(C) the time or times at which or the special circumstances under which the epinephrine delivery system injector is to be administered. The information provided shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, the school's administrator.

(b-5) A school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may authorize the provision of a student-specific or undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector to a student or any personnel authorized under a student's Individual Health Care Action Plan, allergy emergency action plan, or plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to administer an epinephrine delivery system injector to the student, that meets the student's prescription on file.

(b-10) The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may authorize a school nurse or trained personnel to do the following: (i) provide an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector to a student for self-administration only or any personnel authorized under a student's Individual Health Care Action Plan, allergy emergency action plan, plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or individualized education program plan to administer to the student that meets the student's prescription on file; (ii) administer an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector that meets the prescription on file to any student who has an Individual Health Care Action Plan, allergy emergency action plan, plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or individualized education program plan that authorizes the use of an epinephrine delivery system injector; (iii) administer an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector to any person that the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes is having an anaphylactic reaction; (iv) administer an opioid antagonist to any person that the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes is having an opioid overdose; (v) provide undesignated asthma medication to a student for self-administration only or to any personnel authorized under a student's Individual Health Care Action Plan or asthma action plan, plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or individualized education program plan to administer to the student that meets the student's prescription on file; (vi) administer undesignated asthma medication that meets the prescription on file to any student who has an Individual Health Care Action Plan or asthma action plan, plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or individualized education program plan that authorizes the use of asthma medication; and (vii) administer undesignated asthma medication to any person that the school nurse or trained personnel believes in good faith is having respiratory distress.

(c) The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must inform the parents or guardians of the pupil, in writing, that the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school and its employees and agents, including a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse providing standing protocol and a prescription for school epinephrine delivery systems injectors, an opioid antagonist, or undesignated asthma medication, are to incur no liability or professional discipline, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from the administration of asthma medication, an epinephrine delivery system injector, or an opioid antagonist regardless of whether authorization was given by the pupil's parents or guardians or by the pupil's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. The parents or guardians of the pupil must sign a statement acknowledging that the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school and its employees and agents are to incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from the administration of asthma medication, an epinephrine delivery system injector, or an opioid antagonist regardless of whether authorization was given by the pupil's parents or guardians or by the pupil's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse and that the parents or guardians must indemnify and hold harmless the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school and its employees and agents against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of the administration of asthma medication, an epinephrine delivery system injector, or an opioid antagonist regardless of whether authorization was given by the pupil's parents or guardians or by the pupil's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.

(c-5) When a school nurse or trained personnel administers an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector to a person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes is having an anaphylactic reaction, administers an opioid antagonist to a person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes is having an opioid overdose, or administers undesignated asthma medication to a person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes is having respiratory distress, notwithstanding the lack of notice to the parents or guardians of the pupil or the absence of the parents or guardians signed statement acknowledging no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school and its employees and agents, and a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse providing standing protocol and a prescription for undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors, an opioid antagonist, or undesignated asthma medication, are to incur no liability or professional discipline, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from the use of an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector, the use of an opioid antagonist, or the use of undesignated asthma medication, regardless of whether authorization was given by the pupil's parents or guardians or by the pupil's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.

(d) The permission for self-administration and self-carry of asthma medication or the self-administration and self-carry of an epinephrine delivery system injector is effective for the school year for which it is granted and shall be renewed each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of the requirements of this Section.

(e) Provided that the requirements of this Section are fulfilled, a pupil with asthma may self-administer and self-carry his or her asthma medication or a pupil may self-administer and self-carry an epinephrine delivery system injector (i) while in school, (ii) while at a school-sponsored activity, (iii) while under the supervision of school personnel, or (iv) before or after normal school activities, such as while in before-school or after-school care on school-operated property or while being transported on a school bus.

(e-5) Provided that the requirements of this Section are fulfilled, a school nurse or trained personnel may administer an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector to any person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes to be having an anaphylactic reaction (i) while in school, (ii) while at a school-sponsored activity, (iii) while under the supervision of school personnel, or (iv) before or after normal school activities, such as while in before-school or after-school care on school-operated property or while being transported on a school bus. A school nurse or trained personnel may carry undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors on his or her person while in school or at a school-sponsored activity.

(e-10) Provided that the requirements of this Section are fulfilled, a school nurse or trained personnel may administer an opioid antagonist to any person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes to be having an opioid overdose (i) while in school, (ii) while at a school-sponsored activity, (iii) while under the supervision of school personnel, or (iv) before or after normal school activities, such as while in before-school or after-school care on school-operated property. A school nurse or trained personnel may carry an opioid antagonist on his or her person while in school or at a school-sponsored activity.

(e-15) If the requirements of this Section are met, a school nurse or trained personnel may administer undesignated asthma medication to any person whom the school nurse or trained personnel in good faith believes to be experiencing respiratory distress (i) while in school, (ii) while at a school-sponsored activity, (iii) while under the supervision of school personnel, or (iv) before or after normal school activities, including before-school or after-school care on school-operated property. A school nurse or trained personnel may carry undesignated asthma medication on his or her person while in school or at a school-sponsored activity.

(f) The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may maintain a supply of undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors in any secure location that is accessible before, during, and after school where an allergic person is most at risk, including, but not limited to, classrooms and lunchrooms. A physician, a physician assistant who has prescriptive authority in accordance with Section 7.5 of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, or an advanced practice registered nurse who has prescriptive authority in accordance with Section 65-40 of the Nurse Practice Act may prescribe undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors in the name of the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school to be maintained for use when necessary. Any supply of epinephrine delivery systems injectors shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school shall maintain a supply of an opioid antagonist in any secure location where an individual may have an opioid overdose, unless there is a shortage of opioid antagonists, in which case the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school shall make a reasonable effort to maintain a supply of an opioid antagonist. Unless the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school is able to obtain opioid antagonists without a prescription, a health care professional who has been delegated prescriptive authority for opioid antagonists in accordance with Section 5-23 of the Substance Use Disorder Act shall prescribe opioid antagonists in the name of the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school, to be maintained for use when necessary. Any supply of opioid antagonists shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school may maintain a supply of asthma medication in any secure location that is accessible before, during, or after school where a person is most at risk, including, but not limited to, a classroom or the nurse's office. A physician, a physician assistant who has prescriptive authority under Section 7.5 of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, or an advanced practice registered nurse who has prescriptive authority under Section 65-40 of the Nurse Practice Act may prescribe undesignated asthma medication in the name of the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school to be maintained for use when necessary. Any supply of undesignated asthma medication must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

A school district that provides special educational facilities for children with disabilities under Section 14-4.01 of this Code may maintain a supply of undesignated oxygen tanks in any secure location that is accessible before, during, and after school where a person with developmental disabilities is most at risk, including, but not limited to, classrooms and lunchrooms. A physician, a physician assistant who has prescriptive authority in accordance with Section 7.5 of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, or an advanced practice registered nurse who has prescriptive authority in accordance with Section 65-40 of the Nurse Practice Act may prescribe undesignated oxygen tanks in the name of the school district that provides special educational facilities for children with disabilities under Section 14-4.01 of this Code to be maintained for use when necessary. Any supply of oxygen tanks shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and with the local fire department's rules.

(f-3) Whichever entity initiates the process of obtaining undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors and providing training to personnel for carrying and administering undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors shall pay for the costs of the undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors.

(f-5) Upon any administration of an epinephrine delivery system injector, a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must immediately activate the EMS system and notify the student's parent, guardian, or emergency contact, if known.

Upon any administration of an opioid antagonist, a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must immediately activate the EMS system and notify the student's parent, guardian, or emergency contact, if known.

(f-10) Within 24 hours of the administration of an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector, a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must notify the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse who provided the standing protocol and a prescription for the undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector of its use.

Within 24 hours after the administration of an opioid antagonist, a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must notify the health care professional who provided the prescription for the opioid antagonist of its use.

Within 24 hours after the administration of undesignated asthma medication, a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must notify the student's parent or guardian or emergency contact, if known, and the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse who provided the standing protocol and a prescription for the undesignated asthma medication of its use. The district or school must follow up with the school nurse, if available, and may, with the consent of the child's parent or guardian, notify the child's health care provider of record, as determined under this Section, of its use.

(g) Prior to the administration of an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector, trained personnel must submit to the school's administration proof of completion of a training curriculum to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis that meets the requirements of subsection (h) of this Section. Training must be completed annually. The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must maintain records related to the training curriculum and trained personnel.

Prior to the administration of an opioid antagonist, trained personnel must submit to the school's administration proof of completion of a training curriculum to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, which curriculum must meet the requirements of subsection (h-5) of this Section. The school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must maintain records relating to the training curriculum and the trained personnel.

Prior to the administration of undesignated asthma medication, trained personnel must submit to the school's administration proof of completion of a training curriculum to recognize and respond to respiratory distress, which must meet the requirements of subsection (h-10) of this Section. Training must be completed annually, and the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must maintain records relating to the training curriculum and the trained personnel.

(h) A training curriculum to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis, including the administration of an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector, may be conducted online or in person.

Training shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) how to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis;

(2) how to administer an epinephrine delivery system injector; and

(3) a test demonstrating competency of the knowledge required to recognize anaphylaxis and administer an epinephrine delivery system injector.

Training may also include, but is not limited to:

(A) a review of high-risk areas within a school and its related facilities;

(B) steps to take to prevent exposure to allergens;

(C) emergency follow-up procedures, including the importance of calling 9-1-1 or, if 9-1-1 is not available, other local emergency medical services;

(D) how to respond to a student with a known allergy, as well as a student with a previously unknown allergy;

(E) other criteria as determined in rules adopted pursuant to this Section; and

(F) any policy developed by the State Board of Education under Section 2-3.190.

In consultation with statewide professional organizations representing physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, registered nurses, and school nurses, the State Board of Education shall make available resource materials consistent with criteria in this subsection (h) for educating trained personnel to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis. The State Board may take into consideration the curriculum on this subject developed by other states, as well as any other curricular materials suggested by medical experts and other groups that work on life-threatening allergy issues. The State Board is not required to create new resource materials. The State Board shall make these resource materials available on its Internet website.

(h-5) A training curriculum to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose, including the administration of an opioid antagonist, may be conducted online or in person. The training must comply with any training requirements under Section 5-23 of the Substance Use Disorder Act and the corresponding rules. It must include, but is not limited to:

(1) how to recognize symptoms of an opioid overdose;

(2) information on drug overdose prevention and recognition;

(3) how to perform rescue breathing and resuscitation;

(4) how to respond to an emergency involving an opioid overdose;

(5) opioid antagonist dosage and administration;

(6) the importance of calling 9-1-1 or, if 9-1-1 is not available, other local emergency medical services;

(7) care for the overdose victim after administration of the overdose antagonist;

(8) a test demonstrating competency of the knowledge required to recognize an opioid overdose and administer a dose of an opioid antagonist; and

(9) other criteria as determined in rules adopted pursuant to this Section.

(h-10) A training curriculum to recognize and respond to respiratory distress, including the administration of undesignated asthma medication, may be conducted online or in person. The training must include, but is not limited to:

(1) how to recognize symptoms of respiratory distress and how to distinguish respiratory distress from anaphylaxis;

(2) how to respond to an emergency involving respiratory distress;

(3) asthma medication dosage and administration;

(4) the importance of calling 9-1-1 or, if 9-1-1 is not available, other local emergency medical services;

(5) a test demonstrating competency of the knowledge required to recognize respiratory distress and administer asthma medication; and

(6) other criteria as determined in rules adopted under this Section.

(i) Within 3 days after the administration of an undesignated epinephrine delivery system injector by a school nurse, trained personnel, or a student at a school or school-sponsored activity, the school must report to the State Board of Education in a form and manner prescribed by the State Board the following information:

(1) age and type of person receiving epinephrine (student, staff, visitor);

(2) any previously known diagnosis of a severe allergy;

(3) trigger that precipitated allergic episode;

(4) location where symptoms developed;

(5) number of doses administered;

(6) type of person administering epinephrine (school nurse, trained personnel, student); and

(7) any other information required by the State Board.

If a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school maintains or has an independent contractor providing transportation to students who maintains a supply of undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors, then the school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school must report that information to the State Board of Education upon adoption or change of the policy of the school district, public school, charter school, nonpublic school, or independent contractor, in a manner as prescribed by the State Board. The report must include the number of undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors in supply.

(i-5) Within 3 days after the administration of an opioid antagonist by a school nurse or trained personnel, the school must report to the State Board of Education, in a form and manner prescribed by the State Board, the following information:

(1) the age and type of person receiving the opioid antagonist (student, staff, or visitor);

(2) the location where symptoms developed;

(3) the type of person administering the opioid antagonist (school nurse or trained personnel); and

(4) any other information required by the State Board.

(i-10) Within 3 days after the administration of undesignated asthma medication by a school nurse, trained personnel, or a student at a school or school-sponsored activity, the school must report to the State Board of Education, on a form and in a manner prescribed by the State Board of Education, the following information:

(1) the age and type of person receiving the asthma medication (student, staff, or visitor);

(2) any previously known diagnosis of asthma for the person;

(3) the trigger that precipitated respiratory distress, if identifiable;

(4) the location of where the symptoms developed;

(5) the number of doses administered;

(6) the type of person administering the asthma medication (school nurse, trained personnel, or student);

(7) the outcome of the asthma medication administration; and

(8) any other information required by the State Board.

(j) By October 1, 2015 and every year thereafter, the State Board of Education shall submit a report to the General Assembly identifying the frequency and circumstances of undesignated epinephrine and undesignated asthma medication administration during the preceding academic year. Beginning with the 2017 report, the report shall also contain information on which school districts, public schools, charter schools, and nonpublic schools maintain or have independent contractors providing transportation to students who maintain a supply of undesignated epinephrine delivery systems injectors. This report shall be published on the State Board's Internet website on the date the report is delivered to the General Assembly.

(j-5) Annually, each school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school shall request an asthma action plan from the parents or guardians of a pupil with asthma. If provided, the asthma action plan must be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, the school administrator. Copies of the asthma action plan may be distributed to appropriate school staff who interact with the pupil on a regular basis, and, if applicable, may be attached to the pupil's federal Section 504 plan or individualized education program plan.

(j-10) To assist schools with emergency response procedures for asthma, the State Board of Education, in consultation with statewide professional organizations with expertise in asthma management and a statewide organization representing school administrators, shall develop a model asthma episode emergency response protocol before September 1, 2016. Each school district, charter school, and nonpublic school shall adopt an asthma episode emergency response protocol before January 1, 2017 that includes all of the components of the State Board's model protocol.

(j-15) (Blank).

(j-20) On or before October 1, 2016 and every year thereafter, the State Board of Education shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the Department of Public Health identifying the frequency and circumstances of opioid antagonist administration during the preceding academic year. This report shall be published on the State Board's Internet website on the date the report is delivered to the General Assembly.

(k) The State Board of Education may adopt rules necessary to implement this Section.

(l) Nothing in this Section shall limit the amount of epinephrine delivery systems injectors that any type of school or student may carry or maintain a supply of.

(Source: P.A. 102-413, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 103-175, eff. 6-30-23; 103-196, eff. 1-1-24; 103-348, eff. 1-1-24; 103-542, eff. 7-1-24 (see Section 905 of P.A. 103-563 for effective date of P.A. 103-542); 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/24A-20)

Sec. 24A-20. State Board of Education data collection and evaluation assessment and support systems.

(a) The State Board of Education shall, through a process involving collaboration with the Performance Evaluation Advisory Committee, develop or contract for the development of and implement all of the following data collection and evaluation assessment and support systems:

(1) A system to annually collect and publish data by district and school on teacher and administrator performance evaluation outcomes. The system must ensure that no teacher or administrator can be personally identified by publicly reported data.

(2) (Blank). Both a teacher and principal model evaluation template. The model templates must incorporate the requirements of this Article and any other requirements established by the State Board by administrative rule, but allow customization by districts in a manner that does not conflict with such requirements.

(3) An evaluator pre-qualification program based on the model teacher evaluation template.

(4) An evaluator training program based on the model teacher evaluation template. The training program shall provide multiple training options that account for the prior training and experience of the evaluator.

(5) A superintendent training program based on the model principal evaluation template.

(6) One or more instruments to provide feedback to principals on the instructional environment within a school.

(7) A State Board-provided or approved technical assistance system that supports districts with the development and implementation of teacher and principal evaluation systems.

(8) Web-based systems and tools supporting implementation of the model templates and the evaluator pre-qualification and training programs.

(9) A process for measuring and reporting correlations between local principal and teacher evaluations and the retention rates of teachers.

(10) (Blank).

(b) (Blank).

(c) Districts shall submit data and information to the State Board on teacher and principal performance evaluations and evaluation plans in accordance with procedures and requirements for submissions established by the State Board. Such data shall include, without limitation, (i) data on the performance rating given to all teachers in contractual continued service, (ii) data on district recommendations to renew or not renew teachers not in contractual continued service, and (iii) data on the performance rating given to all principals.

(d) If the State Board of Education does not timely fulfill any of the requirements set forth in Sections 24A-7 and 24A-20, and adequate and sustainable federal, State, or other funds are not provided to the State Board of Education and school districts to meet their responsibilities under this Article, the applicable implementation date shall be postponed by the number of calendar days equal to those needed by the State Board of Education to fulfill such requirements and for the adequate and sustainable funds to be provided to the State Board of Education and school districts. The determination as to whether the State Board of Education has fulfilled any or all requirements set forth in Sections 24A-7 and 24A-20 and whether adequate and sustainable funds have been provided to the State Board of Education and school districts shall be made by the State Board of Education in consultation with the P-20 Council.

(e) The State Board of Education shall annually report teacher evaluation data from each school in the State. The State Board's report shall include:

(1) data from the most recent performance evaluation ratings issued for all nontenured teachers and teachers in contractual continued service disaggregated by the race and ethnicity of teachers; and

(2) data from the most recent performance evaluation ratings for all nontenured teachers and teachers in contractual continued service disaggregated by the race, ethnicity, and eligibility status for free or reduced-price lunch of students in the school where the teachers work.

The report shall contain data in an aggregate format. The report with the aggregate data is not confidential pursuant to Section 24A-7.1 of this Code unless an individual teacher is personally identifiable in the report. With respect to the report, the underlying data and any personally identifying information of a teacher shall be confidential. The State Board shall provide the data in the report in a format that prevents identification of individual teachers.

(Source: P.A. 103-452, eff. 1-1-24; 104-20, eff. 7-1-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/26A-20)

Sec. 26A-20. Review and revision of policies and procedures.

(a) No later than July 1, 2026 2024 and every 2 years thereafter, each school district must review all existing policies and procedures and must revise any existing policies and procedures that may act as a barrier to the immediate enrollment and re-enrollment, attendance, graduation, and success in school of any student who is a student parent, expectant student parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence or any policies or procedures that may compromise a criminal investigation relating to domestic or sexual violence or may re-victimize students. A school district must adopt new policies and procedures, as needed, to implement this Section and to ensure that immediate and effective steps are taken to respond to students who are student parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence.

(b) A school district's policy must be consistent with the model policy and procedures adopted by the State Board of Education and under Public Act 101-531.

(c) A school district's policy on the procedures that a student or his or her parent or guardian may follow if he or she chooses to report an incident of alleged domestic or sexual violence must, at a minimum, include all of the following:

(1) The name and contact information for domestic or sexual violence and parenting resource personnel, the Title IX coordinator, school and school district resource officers or security, and a community-based domestic or sexual violence organization.

(2) The name, title, and contact information for confidential resources and a description of what confidential reporting means.

(3) An option for the student or the student's parent or guardian to electronically, anonymously, and confidentially report the incident.

(4) An option for reports by third parties and bystanders.

(5) Information regarding the various individuals, departments, or organizations to whom a student may report an incident of domestic or sexual violence, specifying for each individual or entity (i) the extent of the individual's or entity's reporting obligation to the school's or school district's administration, Title IX coordinator, or other personnel or entity, (ii) the individual's or entity's ability to protect the student's privacy, and (iii) the extent of the individual's or entity's ability to have confidential communications with the student or his or her parent or guardian.

(6) The adoption of a complaint resolution procedure as provided in Section 26A-25.

(d) A school district must post its revised policies and procedures on its website, distribute them at the beginning of each school year to each student, and make copies available to each student and his or her parent or guardian for inspection and copying at no cost to the student or parent or guardian at each school within a school district.

(Source: P.A. 102-466, eff. 7-1-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/26A-25)

Sec. 26A-25. Complaint resolution procedure.

(a) On or before July 1, 2026 2024, each school district must adopt one procedure to resolve complaints of violations of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. The respondent must be one or more of the following: the school, school district, or school personnel. These procedures shall comply with the confidentiality provisions of Sections 26A-20 and 26A-30. The procedures must include, at minimum, all of the following:

(1) The opportunity to consider the most appropriate means to execute the procedure considering school safety, the developmental level of students, methods to reduce trauma during the procedure, and how to avoid multiple communications with students involved with an alleged incident of domestic or sexual violence.

(2) Any proceeding, meeting, or hearing held to resolve complaints of any violation of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly must protect the privacy of the participating parties and witnesses. A school, school district, or school personnel may not disclose the identity of parties or witnesses, except as necessary to resolve the complaint or to implement interim protective measures and reasonable support services or when required by State or federal law.

(3) Complainants alleging violations of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly must have the opportunity to request that the complaint resolution procedure begin promptly and proceed in a timely manner.

(b) A school district must determine the individuals who will resolve complaints of violations of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(1) All individuals whose duties include resolution of complaints of violations of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly must complete training on issues related to domestic and sexual violence and how to conduct the school's complaint resolution procedure, which may include the in-service training required under subsection (d) of Section 10-22.39, before commencement of those duties, and must receive such training annually thereafter. This training must be conducted by an individual or individuals with expertise in domestic or sexual violence in youth and expertise in developmentally appropriate communications with elementary and secondary school students regarding topics of a sexual, violent, or sensitive nature and may include an individual who is a certified, domestic-violence advocate or a school-based, mental-health professional.

(2) Each school must have a sufficient number of individuals trained to resolve complaints so that (i) a substitution can occur in the case of a conflict of interest or recusal, (ii) an individual with no prior involvement in the initial determination or finding may hear any appeal brought by a party, and (iii) the complaint resolution procedure proceeds in a timely manner.

(3) The complainant and any witnesses shall (i) receive notice of the name of the individual with authority to make a finding or approve an accommodation in the proceeding before the individual may initiate contact with the complainant and any witnesses and (ii) have the opportunity to request a substitution if the participation of an individual with authority to make a finding or approve an accommodation poses a conflict of interest.

(c) When the alleged violation of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly involves making a determination or finding of responsibility of causing harm:

(1) The individual making the finding must use a preponderance of evidence standard to determine whether the incident occurred.

(2) The complainant and respondent and any witnesses may not directly or through a representative question one another. At the discretion of the individual resolving the complaint, the complainant and the respondent may suggest questions to be posed by the individual resolving the complaint and if the individual resolving the complaint decides to pose such questions.

(3) A live hearing is not required. If the complaint resolution procedure includes a hearing, no student who is a witness, including the complainant, may be compelled to testify in the presence of a party or other witness. If a witness invokes this right to testify outside the presence of the other party or other witnesses, then the school district must provide an option by which each party may, at a minimum, hear such witnesses' testimony.

(d) Each party and witness may request and must be allowed to have a representative or support persons of their choice accompany them to any meeting or proceeding related to the alleged violence or violation of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly if the involvement of the representative or support persons does not result in undue delay of the meeting or proceeding. This representative or support persons must comply with any rules of the school district's complaint resolution procedure. If the representative or support persons violate the rules or engage in behavior or advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates either party, a witness, or an individual resolving the complaint, the representative or support person may be prohibited from further participation in the meeting or proceeding.

(e) The complainant, regardless of the level of involvement in the complaint resolution procedure, and the respondent must have the opportunity to provide or present evidence and witnesses on their behalf during the complaint resolution procedure.

(f) The complainant and respondent and any named perpetrator directly impacted by the results of the complaint resolution procedure, are entitled to simultaneous written notification of the results of the complaint resolution procedure, including information regarding appeals rights and procedures, within 10 business days after a decision or sooner if required by State or federal law or district policy.

(1) The complainant, respondents, and named perpetrator if directly impacted by the results of the complaint resolution procedure must, at a minimum, have the right to timely appeal the complaint resolution procedure's findings or remedies if a party alleges (i) a procedural error occurred, (ii) new information exists that would substantially change the outcome of the proceeding, (iii) the remedy is not sufficiently related to the finding, or (iv) the decision is against the weight of the evidence.

(2) An individual reviewing the findings or remedies may not have previously participated in the complaint resolution procedure and may not have a conflict of interest with either party.

(3) The complainant and respondent and any perpetrators directly impacted by the results of the complaint resolution procedure must receive the appeal decision, in writing, within 15 10 business days, but never more than 15 business days, after the conclusion of the review of findings or remedies or sooner if required by State or federal law.

(g) Each school district must have a procedure to determine interim protective measures and support services available pending the resolution of the complaint including the implementation of court orders.

(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/26A-35)

Sec. 26A-35. Domestic or sexual violence and parenting resource personnel.

(a) Each school district shall designate or appoint at least one staff person at each school in the district who is employed at least part time at the school and who is a school social worker, school psychologist, school counselor, school nurse, or school administrator trained to address, in a survivor-centered, trauma responsive, culturally responsive, confidential, and sensitive manner, the needs of students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence. The designated or appointed staff person must have all of the following duties:

(1) To connect students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence to appropriate in-school services or other agencies, programs, or services as needed.

(2) To coordinate the implementation of the school's and school district's policies, procedures, and protocols in cases involving student allegations of domestic or sexual violence.

(3) To coordinate the implementation of the school's and school district's policies and procedures as set forth in provisions of this Code concerning students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence.

(4) To assist students described in paragraph (1) in their efforts to exercise and preserve their rights as set forth in provisions of this Code concerning students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence.

(5) To assist in providing staff development to establish a positive and sensitive learning environment for students described in paragraph (1).

(b) A member of staff who is designated or appointed under subsection (a) must (i) be trained to understand, provide information and referrals, and address issues pertaining to youth who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence, including the theories and dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, the necessity for confidentiality and the law, policy, procedures, and protocols implementing confidentiality, and the notification of the student's parent or guardian regarding the student's status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence or the enforcement of the student's rights under this Code if the notice of the student's status or the involvement of the student's parent or guardian may put the health or safety of the student at risk, including the rights of minors to consent to counseling services and psychotherapy under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, or (ii) at a minimum, have participated in an in-service training program under subsection (d) of Section 10-22.39 that includes training on the rights of minors to consent to counseling services and psychotherapy under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code within 12 months prior to his or her designation or appointment.

(c) A school district must designate or appoint and train all domestic or sexual violence and parenting resource personnel, and the personnel must assist in implementing the duties as described in this Section no later than July 1, 2026 June 30, 2024, except in those school districts in which there exists a collective bargaining agreement on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly and the implementation of this Section would be a violation of that collective bargaining agreement. If implementation of some activities required under this Section is prevented by an existing collective bargaining agreement, a school district must comply with this Section to the fullest extent allowed by the existing collective bargaining agreement no later than July 1, 2026 June 30, 2024. In those instances in which a collective bargaining agreement that either fully or partially prevents full implementation of this Section expires after June 30, 2026 2024, a school district must designate or appoint and train all domestic and sexual violence and parenting resource personnel, who shall implement the duties described in this Section no later than the effective date of the new collective bargaining agreement that immediately succeeds the collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-466, eff. 7-1-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/27-225) (was 105 ILCS 110/5)

Sec. 27-225. Advisory committee. An advisory committee consisting of 11 members is hereby established as follows: the Director of Public Health or his or her designee, the Secretary of Human Services or his or her designee and an additional person representing the Department of Human Services designated by the Secretary, the Director of Children and Family Services or his or her designee, and 7 members to be appointed by the State Superintendent Board of Education and to be chosen, insofar as is possible, from the following groups: colleges and universities, voluntary health agencies, medicine, dentistry, professional health associations, teachers, administrators, members of local boards of education, and lay citizens.

Public The original public members shall, upon their appointment, serve until July 1, 1973, and, thereafter, new appointments of public members shall be made in like manner and such members shall serve for 4-year terms commencing on July 1, 1973 and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Public members may be reappointed to serve additional 4-year terms. Vacancies in the terms of public members shall be filled in a like manner as original appointments for the balance of the unexpired terms. The members of the advisory committee shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Such committee shall select a chairperson and establish rules and procedures for its proceedings not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.

Such committee shall advise the State Board of Education on all matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of this Act. The committee shall assist in presenting advice and interpretation concerning a comprehensive health education program to the Illinois public, especially as related to critical health problems. The committee shall also assist in establishing a sound understanding and sympathetic relationship between such comprehensive health education program and the public health, welfare, and educational programs of other agencies in the community.

(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/27-605) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-22)

Sec. 27-605. Required high school courses.

(a) (Blank).

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) world foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of laboratory science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. One semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) world foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) career and technical education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of world foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language. A pupil may choose a third year of world foreign language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5).

(f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.

(f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.

(g) Public Act 83-1082 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Public Act 94-676 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

(h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Sections 14A-32 and 27-610 of this Code and the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-743, eff. 8-2-24; 104-387, eff. 8-15-25; 104-391, eff. 8-15-25; revised 9-24-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/27-1070) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-23.16)

Sec. 27-1070. Study of the process of naturalization. Every public high school may include in its curriculum a unit of instruction about the process of naturalization by which a foreign citizen of a country other than the United States or foreign national becomes a U.S. citizen. The course of instruction shall include content from the components of the naturalization test administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Each school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/27A-6)

Sec. 27A-6. Contract contents; applicability of laws and regulations.

(a) A certified charter shall constitute a binding contract and agreement between the charter school and a local school board under the terms of which the local school board authorizes the governing body of the charter school to operate the charter school on the terms specified in the contract.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the certified charter may not waive or release the charter school from the State goals, standards, and assessments established pursuant to Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code. The certified charter for a charter school operating in a city having a population exceeding 500,000 shall require the charter school to administer any other nationally recognized standardized tests to its students that the chartering entity administers to other students, and the results on such tests shall be included in the chartering entity's assessment reports.

(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (e), a material revision to a previously certified contract or a renewal shall be made with the approval of both the local school board and the governing body of the charter school.

(c-5) The proposed contract shall include a provision on how both parties will address minor violations of the contract.

(c-10) After August 4, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-416), any renewal of a certified charter must include a union neutrality clause.

(d) The proposed contract between the governing body of a proposed charter school and the local school board as described in Section 27A-7 must be submitted to and certified by the State Board before it can take effect. If the State Board recommends that the proposed contract be modified for consistency with this Article before it can be certified, the modifications must be consented to by both the governing body of the charter school and the local school board, and resubmitted to the State Board for its certification. If the proposed contract is resubmitted in a form that is not consistent with this Article, the State Board may refuse to certify the charter.

The State Board shall assign a number to each submission or resubmission in chronological order of receipt, and shall determine whether the proposed contract is consistent with the provisions of this Article. If the proposed contract complies, the State Board shall so certify.

(e) No renewal of a previously certified contract is effective unless and until the State Board certifies that the renewal is consistent with the provisions of this Article. The local school board shall submit the charter renewal proposal and the proposed charter renewal contract to the State Board for certification no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the current charter contract. A material revision to a previously certified contract may go into effect immediately upon approval of both the local school board and the governing body of the charter school, unless either party requests in writing that the State Board certify that the material revision is consistent with the provisions of this Article. If such a request is made, the proposed material revision is not effective unless and until the State Board so certifies.

(Source: P.A. 103-175, eff. 6-30-23; 103-416, eff. 8-4-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/27A-9)

Sec. 27A-9. Term of charter; renewal.

(a) An initial charter shall be granted for a period of 5 school years. A charter may be renewed in incremental periods not to exceed 10 school years. Authorizers shall ensure that every charter granted on or after January 1, 2017 includes standards and goals for academic, organizational, and financial performance. A charter must meet all standards and goals for academic, organizational, and financial performance set forth by the authorizer in order to be renewed for a term in excess of 5 years but not more than 10 years. If an authorizer fails to establish standards and goals, a charter shall not be renewed for a term in excess of 5 years. Nothing contained in this Section shall require an authorizer to grant a full 10-year renewal term to any particular charter school, but an authorizer may award a full 10-year renewal term to charter schools that have a demonstrated track record of improving student performance.

(b) A charter school renewal proposal submitted to the local school board or the State Board, as the chartering entity, shall contain:

(1) a report on the progress of the charter school in achieving the goals, objectives, pupil performance standards, content standards, and other terms of the initial approved charter proposal, which, with regard to the provision of special education and the instruction of English learners, must include, at minimum, all of the following:

(A) detailed information on how the charter school identifies students who may be eligible to receive special education services at the school, how the charter school has provided special education services in alignment with the requirements of State and federal law, including the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Article 14 of this Code, and applicable State and federal rules, and the academic performance of students with disabilities enrolled in the charter school relative to their peers; and

(B) detailed information on how the charter school identifies English learners, how the charter school has provided transitional bilingual education services in alignment with State and federal law, including Article 14C of this Code, and applicable State and federal rules, and the academic performance of English learner students enrolled in the charter school relative to their peers; and

(2) a financial statement that discloses the costs of administration, instruction, and other spending categories for the charter school that is understandable to the general public and that will allow comparison of those costs to other schools or other comparable organizations, in a format required by the State Board.

(c) A charter may be revoked or not renewed if the local school board or the State Board, as the chartering entity, clearly demonstrates that the charter school did any of the following, or otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of this law:

(1) Committed a material violation of any of the conditions, standards, or procedures set forth in the charter.

(2) Failed to meet or make reasonable progress toward achievement of the content standards or pupil performance standards identified in the charter.

(3) Failed to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management.

(4) Violated any provision of law from which the charter school was not exempted.

In the case of revocation, the local school board or the State Board, as the chartering entity, shall notify the charter school in writing of the reason why the charter is subject to revocation. The charter school shall submit a written plan to the local school board or the State Board, whichever is applicable, to rectify the problem. The plan shall include a timeline for implementation, which shall not exceed 2 years or the date of the charter's expiration, whichever is earlier. If the local school board or the State Board, as the chartering entity, finds that the charter school has failed to implement the plan of remediation and adhere to the timeline, then the chartering entity shall revoke the charter. Except in situations of an emergency where the health, safety, or education of the charter school's students is at risk, the revocation shall take place at the end of a school year. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit an implementation timetable that is less than 2 years in duration. No local school board may arbitrarily or capriciously revoke or not renew a charter. Except for extenuating circumstances outlined in this Section, if a local school board revokes or does not renew a charter, it must ensure that all students currently enrolled in the charter school are placed in schools that are higher performing than that charter school, as defined in the State's federal Every Student Succeeds Act accountability plan. In determining whether extenuating circumstances exist, a local school board must detail, by clear and convincing evidence, that factors unrelated to the charter school's accountability designation outweigh the charter school's academic performance.

(d) (Blank).

(e) Notice of a local school board's decision to deny, revoke, or not renew a charter shall be provided to the State Board.

The State Board may reverse a local board's decision to revoke or not renew a charter if the State Board finds that the charter school or charter school proposal (i) is in compliance with this Article and (ii) is in the best interests of the students it is designed to serve. The State Board may condition the granting of an appeal on the acceptance by the charter school of funding in an amount less than that requested in the proposal submitted to the local school board. The State Board must appoint and utilize a hearing officer for any appeals conducted under this subsection. Final decisions of the State Board are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.

(f) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Article, if the State Board on appeal reverses a local board's decision or if a charter school is approved by referendum, the State Board shall act as the authorized chartering entity for the charter school and shall perform all functions under this Article otherwise performed by the local school board. The State Board shall report the aggregate number of charter school pupils resident in a school district to that district and shall notify the district of the amount of funding to be paid by the State Board to the charter school enrolling such students. The charter school shall maintain accurate records of daily attendance and student enrollment and shall enter data on the students served, their characteristics, their particular needs, the programs in which they participate, and their academic achievement into the statewide student information system established by the State Board. The State Board shall withhold from funds otherwise due the district the funds authorized by this Article to be paid to the charter school and shall pay such amounts to the charter school in quarterly installments, calculated as follows:

(1) The amount of the first quarterly payment shall be based on the projected number of students who will be enrolled in the charter school in the upcoming school year, multiplied by one-fourth of the resident district's per capita tuition amount. Each charter school shall submit its projected enrollment by no later than August 1 of each year on a form provided by the State Board for this purpose.

(2) The amount of the second quarterly payment shall be calculated such that the aggregate amount of the first and second quarterly installments is equal to the number of students reported as enrolled at the charter school on October 1 in the State Board's student information system, multiplied by one-half of the resident district's per capita tuition amount.

(3) The amount of the third quarterly payment shall be based on the number of students enrolled in the charter school on January 1, multiplied by one-fourth of the resident district's per capita tuition amount. Each charter school shall submit its January 1 enrollment by no later than January 5 of each year on a form provided by the State Board for this purpose.

(4) The amount of the fourth quarterly payment shall be calculated such that the aggregate amount of the third and fourth installments is equal to the number of students reported as enrolled at the charter school on March 1 in the State Board's student information system, multiplied by one-half of the resident district's per capita tuition amount.

(g) (Blank).

(h) The State Board shall pay directly to a charter school it authorizes any federal or State funding attributable to a student with a disability attending the school.

(Source: P.A. 103-175, eff. 6-30-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/30-15.25) (from Ch. 122, par. 30-15.25)

Sec. 30-15.25. (a) As used in this Section, the term "public institution of higher education" includes: the University of Illinois; Southern Illinois University; Chicago State University; Eastern Illinois University; Governors State University; Illinois State University; Northeastern Illinois University; Northern Illinois University; Western Illinois University; the public community colleges of the State; and any other public universities, colleges and community colleges now or hereafter established or authorized by the General Assembly. The term "nonpublic institution of higher education" includes any educational organization in this State, other than a public institution of higher education, which provides a minimum of an organized 2 year program at the private junior college level or higher and which operates not-for-profit and in conformity with standards substantially equivalent to those of public institutions of higher education.

(b) Each public institution of higher education shall disclose the terms, restrictions and requirements attached to or made a part of any endowment, gift, grant, contract award or property of any kind or value in excess of $100,000 made to such institution, or to any school, college, division, branch or other organizational entity within or forming a part of such institution, by a foreign government or an individual who is neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States, in any calendar or fiscal year. If the foreign government or individual donates more than one gift in any calendar or fiscal year, and the total value of those gifts exceeds $100,000, such institution shall report all the gifts received. This subsection shall not apply to funds that public institutions of higher education receive from grants and contracts through either the federal government or the State of Illinois.

(c) The provisions of this subsection apply to each nonpublic institution of higher education: (i) which receives any grant or award under the Illinois Financial Assistance Act for Nonpublic Institutions of Higher Learning or under the Higher Education Cooperation Act, or (ii) which is a participant in a program of interinstitutional cooperation administered by a not-for-profit organization that is organized to administer such program under the Higher Education Cooperation Act and that receives any grant under and in furtherance of the purposes of that Act, or (iii) which receives any grant or distribution of grant moneys appropriated from the State Treasury or any fund therein to such institution or to the Board of Higher Education for distribution to nonpublic institutions of higher education for purposes of Section 4 of the Build Illinois Bond Act or for any other purpose authorized by law. Each nonpublic institution of higher education to which the provisions of this subsection apply shall disclose the terms, restrictions and requirements attached to or made a part of any endowment, gift, grant, contract award or property of any kind or value in excess of $250,000 made to such institution, or to any school, college, division, branch or other organizational entity within or forming a part of such institution, by a foreign government or an individual who is neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States, in any calendar or fiscal year. If the foreign government or individual donates more than one gift in any calendar or fiscal year, and the total value of those gifts exceeds $250,000, such institution shall report all the gifts received.

(d) Such information shall be forwarded to the Attorney General no later than 30 days after the final day of each calendar or fiscal year of such institution, whichever type of year is used by the institution in accounting for the gifts received for the purposes of this Section. The information shall include:

(1) the name of the foreign government in the case of a gift by a government, or the name of the foreign country other than the United States of which an individual donor is a citizen, in the case of a gift by an individual;

(2) the amount and the date of the contribution or contributions;

(3) when the gift is conditional, matching or designated for a particular purpose, full details of the conditions, matching provisions or designation; and

(4) the purpose or purposes for which the contribution will be used.

Such information shall be a matter of public record.

(Source: P.A. 89-4, eff. 1-1-96.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-1.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-1.01)

Sec. 34-1.01. Intent. The General Assembly has previously established that the primary purpose of schooling is the transmission of knowledge and culture through which children learn in areas necessary to their continuing development, and the General Assembly has defined these areas as including language arts, mathematics, biological, physical and social sciences, the fine arts, and physical development and health. The General Assembly declares its intent to achieve the primary purpose of schooling in elementary and secondary schools subject to this Article, as now or hereafter amended, in cities of over 500,000 inhabitants, through the provisions of this amendatory Act of 1991.

A. Goals. In the furtherance of this intent, the General Assembly is committed to the belief that, while such urban schools should foster improvement and student growth in a number of areas, first priority should be given to achieving the following goals:

1. assuring that students show significant progress toward meeting and exceeding State performance standards in State mandated learning areas, including the mastery of higher order thinking skills in these and other learning areas;

2. assuring that students attend school regularly and graduate from high school at rates that equal or surpass national norms;

3. assuring that students are adequately prepared for further education and aiding students in making a successful transition to further education;

4. assuring that students are adequately prepared for successful entry into employment and aiding students in making a successful transition to employment;

5. assuring that students are, to the maximum extent possible, provided with a common learning experience that is of high academic quality and that reflects high expectations for all students' capacities to learn;

6. assuring that students are better prepared to compete in the international market place by having world foreign language proficiency and stronger international studies;

7. assuring that students are encouraged in exploring potential interests in fields such as journalism, drama, art and music;

8. assuring that individual teachers are granted the professional authority to make decisions about instruction and the method of teaching;

9. assuring that students are provided the means to express themselves creatively and to respond to the artistic expression of others through the visual arts, music, drama and dance; and

10. assuring that students are provided adequate athletic programs that encourage pride and positive identification with the attendance center and that reduce the number of dropouts and teenage delinquents.

B. Achieving goals. To achieve these priority goals, the General Assembly intends to make the individual local school the essential unit for educational governance and improvement and to establish a process for placing the primary responsibility for school governance and improvement in furtherance of such goals in the hands of parents, community residents, teachers, and the school principal at the school level.

Further, to achieve these priority goals, the General Assembly intends to lodge with the board of education key powers in limited areas related to district-wide policy, so that the board of education supports school-level governance and improvement and carries out functions that can be performed more efficiently through centralized action.

The General Assembly does not intend to alter or amend the provisions of the desegregation obligations of the board of education, including but not limited to the Consent Decree or the Desegregation Plan in United States v. Chicago Board of Education, 80 C 5124, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Accordingly, the implementation of this amendatory Act of 1991, to the extent practicable, shall be consistent with and, in all cases, shall be subject to the desegregation obligations pursuant to such Consent Decree and Desegregation Plan.

(Source: P.A. 87-455; 88-686, eff. 1-24-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-18) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-18)

Sec. 34-18. Powers of the board. The board shall exercise general supervision and jurisdiction over the public education and the public school system of the city, and, except as otherwise provided by this Article, shall have power:

1. To make suitable provision for the establishment and maintenance throughout the year or for such portion thereof as it may direct, not less than 9 months and in compliance with Section 10-19.05, of schools of all grades and kinds, including normal schools, high schools, night schools, schools for defectives and delinquents, parental and truant schools, schools for the blind, the deaf, and persons with physical disabilities, schools or classes in manual training, constructural and vocational teaching, domestic arts, and physical culture, vocation and extension schools and lecture courses, and all other educational courses and facilities, including establishing, equipping, maintaining and operating playgrounds and recreational programs, when such programs are conducted in, adjacent to, or connected with any public school under the general supervision and jurisdiction of the board; provided that the calendar for the school term and any changes must be submitted to and approved by the State Board of Education before the calendar or changes may take effect, and provided that in allocating funds from year to year for the operation of all attendance centers within the district, the board shall ensure that supplemental general State aid or supplemental grant funds are allocated and applied in accordance with Section 18-8, 18-8.05, or 18-8.15. To admit to such schools without charge foreign exchange students who are participants in an organized exchange student program which is authorized by the board. The board shall permit all students to enroll in apprenticeship programs in trade schools operated by the board, whether those programs are union-sponsored or not. No student shall be refused admission into or be excluded from any course of instruction offered in the common schools by reason of that student's sex. No student shall be denied equal access to physical education and interscholastic athletic programs supported from school district funds or denied participation in comparable physical education and athletic programs solely by reason of the student's sex. Equal access to programs supported from school district funds and comparable programs will be defined in rules promulgated by the State Board of Education in consultation with the Illinois High School Association. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, neither the board of education nor any local school council or other school official shall recommend that children with disabilities be placed into regular education classrooms unless those children with disabilities are provided with supplementary services to assist them so that they benefit from the regular classroom instruction and are included on the teacher's regular education class register;

2. To furnish lunches to pupils, to make a reasonable charge therefor, and to use school funds for the payment of such expenses as the board may determine are necessary in conducting the school lunch program;

3. To co-operate with the circuit court;

4. To make arrangements with the public or quasi-public libraries and museums for the use of their facilities by teachers and pupils of the public schools;

5. To employ dentists and prescribe their duties for the purpose of treating the pupils in the schools, but accepting such treatment shall be optional with parents or guardians;

6. To grant the use of assembly halls and classrooms when not otherwise needed, including light, heat, and attendants, for free public lectures, concerts, and other educational and social interests, free of charge, under such provisions and control as the principal of the affected attendance center may prescribe;

7. To apportion the pupils to the several schools; provided that no pupil shall be excluded from or segregated in any such school on account of his color, race, sex, or nationality. The board shall take into consideration the prevention of segregation and the elimination of separation of children in public schools because of color, race, sex, or nationality. Except that children may be committed to or attend parental and social adjustment schools established and maintained either for boys or girls only. All records pertaining to the creation, alteration or revision of attendance areas shall be open to the public. Nothing herein shall limit the board's authority to establish multi-area attendance centers or other student assignment systems for desegregation purposes or otherwise, and to apportion the pupils to the several schools. Furthermore, beginning in school year 1994-95, pursuant to a board plan adopted by October 1, 1993, the board shall offer, commencing on a phased-in basis, the opportunity for families within the school district to apply for enrollment of their children in any attendance center within the school district which does not have selective admission requirements approved by the board. The appropriate geographical area in which such open enrollment may be exercised shall be determined by the board of education. Such children may be admitted to any such attendance center on a space available basis after all children residing within such attendance center's area have been accommodated. If the number of applicants from outside the attendance area exceed the space available, then successful applicants shall be selected by lottery. The board of education's open enrollment plan must include provisions that allow low-income students to have access to transportation needed to exercise school choice. Open enrollment shall be in compliance with the provisions of the Consent Decree and Desegregation Plan cited in Section 34-1.01;

8. To approve programs and policies for providing transportation services to students. Nothing herein shall be construed to permit or empower the State Board of Education to order, mandate, or require busing or other transportation of pupils for the purpose of achieving racial balance in any school;

9. Subject to the limitations in this Article, to establish and approve system-wide curriculum objectives and standards, including graduation standards, which reflect the multi-cultural diversity in the city and are consistent with State law, provided that for all purposes of this Article courses or proficiency in American Sign Language shall be deemed to constitute courses or proficiency in a world foreign language; and to employ principals and teachers, appointed as provided in this Article, and fix their compensation. The board shall prepare such reports related to minimal competency testing as may be requested by the State Board of Education and, in addition, shall monitor and approve special education and bilingual education programs and policies within the district to ensure that appropriate services are provided in accordance with applicable State and federal laws to children requiring services and education in those areas;

10. To employ non-teaching personnel or utilize volunteer personnel for: (i) non-teaching duties not requiring instructional judgment or evaluation of pupils, including library duties; and (ii) supervising study halls, long distance teaching reception areas used incident to instructional programs transmitted by electronic media such as computers, video, and audio, detention and discipline areas, and school-sponsored extracurricular activities. The board may further utilize volunteer nonlicensed personnel or employ nonlicensed personnel to assist in the instruction of pupils under the immediate supervision of a teacher holding a valid educator license, directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities; provided that the teacher shall be continuously aware of the nonlicensed persons' activities and shall be able to control or modify them. The general superintendent shall determine qualifications of such personnel and shall prescribe rules for determining the duties and activities to be assigned to such personnel;

10.5. To utilize volunteer personnel from a regional School Crisis Assistance Team (S.C.A.T.), created as part of the Safe to Learn Program established pursuant to Section 25 of the Illinois Violence Prevention Act of 1995, to provide assistance to schools in times of violence or other traumatic incidents within a school community by providing crisis intervention services to lessen the effects of emotional trauma on individuals and the community; the School Crisis Assistance Team Steering Committee shall determine the qualifications for volunteers;

11. To provide television studio facilities in not to exceed one school building and to provide programs for educational purposes, provided, however, that the board shall not construct, acquire, operate, or maintain a television transmitter; to grant the use of its studio facilities to a licensed television station located in the school district; and to maintain and operate not to exceed one school radio transmitting station and provide programs for educational purposes;

12. To offer, if deemed appropriate, outdoor education courses, including field trips within the State of Illinois, or adjacent states, and to use school educational funds for the expense of the said outdoor educational programs, whether within the school district or not;

13. During that period of the calendar year not embraced within the regular school term, to provide and conduct courses in subject matters normally embraced in the program of the schools during the regular school term and to give regular school credit for satisfactory completion by the student of such courses as may be approved for credit by the State Board of Education;

14. To insure against any loss or liability of the board, the former School Board Nominating Commission, Local School Councils, the Chicago Schools Academic Accountability Council, or the former Subdistrict Councils or of any member, officer, agent, or employee thereof, resulting from alleged violations of civil rights arising from incidents occurring on or after September 5, 1967 or from the wrongful or negligent act or omission of any such person whether occurring within or without the school premises, provided the officer, agent, or employee was, at the time of the alleged violation of civil rights or wrongful act or omission, acting within the scope of his or her employment or under direction of the board, the former School Board Nominating Commission, the Chicago Schools Academic Accountability Council, Local School Councils, or the former Subdistrict Councils; and to provide for or participate in insurance plans for its officers and employees, including, but not limited to, retirement annuities, medical, surgical and hospitalization benefits in such types and amounts as may be determined by the board; provided, however, that the board shall contract for such insurance only with an insurance company authorized to do business in this State. Such insurance may include provision for employees who rely on treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone for healing, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination;

15. To contract with the corporate authorities of any municipality or the county board of any county, as the case may be, to provide for the regulation of traffic in parking areas of property used for school purposes, in such manner as is provided by Section 11-209 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

16. In this paragraph 16:

"Direct admissions information" means a student's name, home address, birth date, telephone number, email address, cumulative grade point average, and high school.

"Directory information" means a high school student's name, home address, birth date, and telephone number.

"Public institution of higher education" has the meaning given to that term in the Board of Higher Education Act.

(a) To provide, on an equal basis and consistent with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Illinois School Student Records Act, access to a high school campus and student directory information to the official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States, to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and to public institutions of higher education for the purposes of informing students of educational and career opportunities if the board has provided such access to persons or groups whose purpose is to acquaint students with educational or occupational opportunities available to them. The board is not required to give greater notice regarding the right of access to recruiting representatives than is given to other persons and groups.

(a-5) To provide, on an equal basis and consistent with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Illinois School Student Records Act, access to student direct admissions information to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the purpose of the direct admission program.

(b) If a student or his or her parent or guardian submits a signed, written request to the high school before the end of the student's sophomore year (or if the student is a transfer student, by another time set by the high school) that indicates that the student or his or her parent or guardian does not want the student's directory information to be provided to official recruiting representatives, to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and to public institutions of higher education under subparagraph (a) of this paragraph 16, the high school may not provide access to the student's directory information to these recruiting representatives, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and public institutions of higher education. The high school shall notify its students and their parents or guardians of the provisions of this subparagraph (b).

(b-5) If a student who is 18 years of age or older or the parent or guardian of a student under 18 years of age submits a signed, written or electronic consent that indicates that the student or his or her parent or guardian does permit the student's direct admissions information to be provided, the high school shall provide the student's direct admissions information to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall provide template opt-in language to those school districts maintaining grades 10 through 12, which shall be made available on the Commission's website no later than June 30, 2025. The template opt-in language shall specify that if the student or the student's parent or guardian provides consent, the student's direct admissions information will be sent to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and the direct admissions information may, as needed for the administration of the direct admission program under the Public University Direct Admission Program Act, be redisclosed to the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, public universities for which the student qualifies under the direct admission program, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois at Chicago if the student qualifies under Section 20 of the Public University Direct Admission Program Act, the community college district where the student resides, and, if applicable, a third party that operates a statewide student application portal. The template opt-in language shall also specify that direct admissions information may not be redisclosed to any other individual or entity unless the opt-in language notifies the student or the student's parent or guardian of such redisclosure and the student or the student's parent or guardian consents to the redisclosure.

The high school shall notify its students and their parents or guardians of the provisions of this subparagraph (b-5) and, at the time of school registration or at other appropriate times prior to the end of a student's junior year, give its students and their parents or guardians the option for the student information to be shared for the purpose of the direct admission program.

(c) A high school may require official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States to pay a fee for copying and mailing a student's directory information in an amount that is not more than the actual costs incurred by the high school.

(d) Information received by an official under this Section may be used only to provide information to students concerning educational and career opportunities. Information may not be released to a person who is not involved in recruiting students for the armed forces of Illinois or the United States or providing educational opportunity information for the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, or public institutions of higher education.

(e) By July 1, 2026 and each July 1 thereafter, the school district shall make student directory information electronically accessible for official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois or the United States, to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and to public institutions of higher education;

(f) By July 1, 2026 and each July 1 thereafter, the school district shall make student direct admissions information electronically accessible through a secure, centralized data system to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the purpose of the direct admission program.

(g) The Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and the State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary to administer this paragraph 16.

17. (a) To sell or market any computer program developed by an employee of the school district, provided that such employee developed the computer program as a direct result of his or her duties with the school district or through the utilization of school district resources or facilities. The employee who developed the computer program shall be entitled to share in the proceeds of such sale or marketing of the computer program. The distribution of such proceeds between the employee and the school district shall be as agreed upon by the employee and the school district, except that neither the employee nor the school district may receive more than 90% of such proceeds. The negotiation for an employee who is represented by an exclusive bargaining representative may be conducted by such bargaining representative at the employee's request.

(b) For the purpose of this paragraph 17:

(1) "Computer" means an internally programmed, general purpose digital device capable of automatically accepting data, processing data and supplying the results of the operation.

(2) "Computer program" means a series of coded instructions or statements in a form acceptable to a computer, which causes the computer to process data in order to achieve a certain result.

(3) "Proceeds" means profits derived from the marketing or sale of a product after deducting the expenses of developing and marketing such product;

18. To delegate to the general superintendent of schools, by resolution, the authority to approve contracts and expenditures in amounts of $35,000 or less;

19. Upon the written request of an employee, to withhold from the compensation of that employee any dues, payments, or contributions payable by such employee to any labor organization as defined in the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Under such arrangement, an amount shall be withheld from each regular payroll period which is equal to the pro rata share of the annual dues plus any payments or contributions, and the board shall transmit such withholdings to the specified labor organization within 10 working days from the time of the withholding;

19a. Upon receipt of notice from the comptroller of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or a housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more that a debt is due and owing the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority by an employee of the Chicago Board of Education, to withhold, from the compensation of that employee, the amount of the debt that is due and owing and pay the amount withheld to the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority; provided, however, that the amount deducted from any one salary or wage payment shall not exceed 25% of the net amount of the payment. Before the Board deducts any amount from any salary or wage of an employee under this paragraph, the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority shall certify that (i) the employee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to dispute the debt that is due and owing the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority and (ii) the employee has received notice of a wage deduction order and has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to object to the order. For purposes of this paragraph, "net amount" means that part of the salary or wage payment remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be deducted and "debt due and owing" means (i) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority for services, work, or goods, after the period granted for payment has expired, or (ii) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the housing authority pursuant to a court order or order of an administrative hearing officer after the exhaustion of, or the failure to exhaust, judicial review;

20. The board is encouraged to employ a sufficient number of licensed school counselors to maintain a student/counselor ratio of 250 to 1. Each counselor shall spend at least 75% of his work time in direct contact with students and shall maintain a record of such time;

21. To make available to students vocational and career counseling and to establish 5 special career counseling days for students and parents. On these days representatives of local businesses and industries shall be invited to the school campus and shall inform students of career opportunities available to them in the various businesses and industries. Special consideration shall be given to counseling minority students as to career opportunities available to them in various fields. For the purposes of this paragraph, minority student means a person who is any of the following:

(a) American Indian or Alaska Native (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America, including Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment).

(b) Asian (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam).

(c) Black or African American (a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa).

(d) Hispanic or Latino (a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race).

(e) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands).

Counseling days shall not be in lieu of regular school days;

22. To report to the State Board of Education the annual student dropout rate and number of students who graduate from, transfer from, or otherwise leave bilingual programs;

23. Except as otherwise provided in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act or other applicable State or federal law, to permit school officials to withhold, from any person, information on the whereabouts of any child removed from school premises when the child has been taken into protective custody as a victim of suspected child abuse. School officials shall direct such person to the Department of Children and Family Services or to the local law enforcement agency, if appropriate;

24. To develop a policy, based on the current state of existing school facilities, projected enrollment, and efficient utilization of available resources, for capital improvement of schools and school buildings within the district, addressing in that policy both the relative priority for major repairs, renovations, and additions to school facilities and the advisability or necessity of building new school facilities or closing existing schools to meet current or projected demographic patterns within the district;

25. To make available to the students in every high school attendance center the ability to take all courses necessary to comply with the Board of Higher Education's college entrance criteria effective in 1993;

26. To encourage mid-career changes into the teaching profession, whereby qualified professionals become licensed teachers, by allowing credit for professional employment in related fields when determining point of entry on the teacher pay scale;

27. To provide or contract out training programs for administrative personnel and principals with revised or expanded duties pursuant to this Code in order to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to perform their duties;

28. To establish a fund for the prioritized special needs programs, and to allocate such funds and other lump sum amounts to each attendance center in a manner consistent with the provisions of part 4 of Section 34-2.3. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require any additional appropriations of State funds for this purpose;

29. (Blank);

30. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other law to the contrary, to contract with third parties for services otherwise performed by employees, including those in a bargaining unit, and to lay off those employees upon 14 days' written notice to the affected employees. Those contracts may be for a period not to exceed 5 years and may be awarded on a system-wide basis. The board may not operate more than 30 contract schools, provided that the board may operate an additional 5 contract turnaround schools pursuant to item (5.5) of subsection (d) of Section 34-8.3 of this Code, and the governing bodies of contract schools are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act;

31. To promulgate rules establishing procedures governing the layoff or reduction in force of employees and the recall of such employees, including, but not limited to, criteria for such layoffs, reductions in force or recall rights of such employees and the weight to be given to any particular criterion. Such criteria shall take into account factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, certifications, experience, performance ratings or evaluations, and any other factors relating to an employee's job performance;

32. To develop a policy to prevent nepotism in the hiring of personnel or the selection of contractors;

33. (Blank); and

34. To establish a Labor Management Council to the board comprised of representatives of the board, the chief executive officer, and those labor organizations that are the exclusive representatives of employees of the board and to promulgate policies and procedures for the operation of the Council.

The specifications of the powers herein granted are not to be construed as exclusive, but the board shall also exercise all other powers that may be requisite or proper for the maintenance and the development of a public school system, not inconsistent with the other provisions of this Article or provisions of this Code which apply to all school districts.

In addition to the powers herein granted and authorized to be exercised by the board, it shall be the duty of the board to review or to direct independent reviews of special education expenditures and services. The board shall file a report of such review with the General Assembly on or before May 1, 1990.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 1-1-24; 104-15, eff. 6-30-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.44)

Sec. 34-18.44. American Sign Language courses. The school board is encouraged to implement American Sign Language courses into school world foreign language curricula.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

(105 ILCS 60/Act rep.)

Section 15. The Community Service Education Act is repealed.

Section 20. The Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act is amended by changing Section 80 as follows:

(110 ILCS 148/80)

Sec. 80. College and Career Pathway Endorsements.

(a) College and Career Pathway Endorsements are established to recognize public high school graduates who complete the requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this Section.

(b) A school district that enrolls students in any of grades 9 through 12 shall either elect to implement College and Career Pathway Endorsements in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 10-20.84 of the School Code or opt out of implementation in accordance with subsection (d) of Section 10-20.84 of the School Code. School district participation in this program is voluntary.

(c) As of the 2019-2020 school year, Eligible School Districts may award one or more College and Career Pathway Endorsements on high school diplomas in Endorsement Areas established by ISBE in consultation with the other IPIC Agencies and appropriate stakeholders, including postsecondary institutions and employers. When establishing the Endorsement Areas, the agencies shall consider the Illinois career cluster framework, prevalent models for comprehensive pathway systems in Illinois high schools that articulate to postsecondary institutions and career training programs, prevalent models for guided pathway systems at postsecondary institutions, and the postsecondary institution mathematics pathways established pursuant to this Act. The Endorsement Areas shall also provide for a multidisciplinary endorsement for students that change career pathways during high school while meeting the individualized plan, professional learning, and academic readiness requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this Section.

(d) To earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement, a student shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(1) Develop and periodically update an individualized plan for postsecondary education or training, careers, and financial aid. This individualized plan shall also include student development of a resume and personal statement with student reflection on attainment of Adaptive Competencies. The Eligible School District shall certify to ISBE that its individualized planning process spans grades 9 through 12 and includes an annual process for updating the plan.

(2) Complete a career-focused instructional sequence, including at least 2 years of coursework or equivalent competencies within an Endorsement Area or, for students attaining a multidisciplinary endorsement, multiple Endorsement Areas. An Eligible School District must consult with its regional education for employment director on the establishment of the career-focused instructional sequence. For all areas other than for multidisciplinary endorsements, the Eligible School District and a Local Community College shall certify to ISBE and ICCB that the career-focused instructional sequence is articulated to a certificate or degree program with labor market value, with opportunities for ongoing student advancement. ISBE and ICCB may adopt requirements for certifying that the instructional sequence meets the requirements of this paragraph (2). This certification must be re-certified at least once every 5 years thereafter. Commencing in the 2022-2023 school year, students must earn at least 6 hours of credit through early college credit courses within the career-focused instructional sequence.

(3) Complete a minimum of 2 Career Exploration Activities or one Intensive Career Exploration Experience, a minimum of 2 Team-based Challenges, and at least 60 cumulative hours of participation in one or more Supervised Career Development Experiences.

(4) Demonstrate readiness for non-remedial coursework in reading and mathematics by high school graduation through criteria certified by the Eligible School District and a Local Community College to ISBE and ICCB. The criteria shall align to any local partnership agreement established pursuant to Section 55 of this Act and may allow the demonstration of readiness through various methods, including assessment scores, grade point average, course completions, or other locally adopted criteria.

(e) To become an Eligible School District and award College and Careers Pathway Endorsements, a school district shall submit information in a form determined by ISBE and ICCB that indicates the school district's intent to award College and Career Pathway Endorsements in one or more Endorsement Areas and includes the certifications described in subsection (d) of this Section. Either ISBE or ICCB may require supporting evidence for any certification made by the school district in the submission. An Eligible School District must participate in any quality review process adopted by ISBE for College and Career Pathway Endorsement systems, provided that the quality review process is at no cost to the Eligible School District.

(Source: P.A. 99-674, eff. 7-29-16.)

Section 25. The University of Illinois Act is amended by changing Section 8 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 29)

Sec. 8. Admissions.

(a) (Blank).

(b) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that institutions may admit individual applicants if the institution determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (b).

(d) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(e) The Board of Trustees shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(f) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 30. The Southern Illinois University Management Act is amended by changing Section 8e as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/8e) (from Ch. 144, par. 658e)

Sec. 8e. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that institutions may admit individual applicants if the institution determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 35. The Chicago State University Law is amended by changing Section 5-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 660/5-85)

Sec. 5-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Chicago State University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Chicago State University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 40. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 10-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/10-85)

Sec. 10-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 45. The Governors State University Law is amended by changing Section 15-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 670/15-85)

Sec. 15-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Governors State University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Governors State University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Governors State University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 50. The Illinois State University Law is amended by changing Section 20-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 675/20-85)

Sec. 20-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Illinois State University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 55. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 25-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 680/25-85)

Sec. 25-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Northeastern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 60. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 30-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-85)

Sec. 30-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 65. The Western Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 35-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 690/35-85)

Sec. 35-85. Admissions.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or agricultural sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in world foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

(2) except that Western Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an application for admission to the University as a freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The University may request that the Department of Veterans Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall semester.

(e) Beginning with the 20245-2026 academic year, the University shall provide all Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State with the University's undergraduate transfer admissions application fee waiver policy and, if such a policy exists, any application or forms necessary to apply for a fee waiver as part of the University's transfer admissions process. The University is encouraged to develop a policy to automatically waive the undergraduate transfer admissions application fee for low-income Illinois students transferring from a public community college in this State. The University shall post this policy in an easily accessible place on the University's Internet website.

(Source: P.A. 103-936, eff. 8-9-24; 104-234, eff. 8-15-25.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.