105 ILCS 5/ School Code.

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.09c)

Sec. 14-1.09c. Speech-language pathology assistant. "Speech-language pathology assistant" means a person who has received a license to assist a speech-language pathologist pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-510, eff. 6-1-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.09.1)

Sec. 14-1.09.1. School psychological services. In the public schools, school psychological services provided by qualified specialists who hold a Professional Educator License endorsed for school psychology issued by the State Board of Education may include, but are not limited to: (i) administration and interpretation of psychological and educational evaluations; (ii) developing school-based prevention programs, including violence prevention programs; (iii) counseling with students, parents, and teachers on educational and mental health issues; (iv) acting as liaisons between public schools and community agencies; (v) evaluating program effectiveness; (vi) providing crisis intervention within the school setting; (vii) helping teachers, parents, and others involved in the educational process to provide optimum teaching and learning conditions for all students; (viii) supervising school psychologist interns enrolled in school psychology programs that meet the standards established by the State Board of Education; and (ix) screening of school enrollments to identify children who should be referred for individual study. Nothing in this Section prohibits other qualified professionals from providing those services listed for which they are appropriately trained.

(Source: P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.09.2)

Sec. 14-1.09.2. School Social Work Services. In the public schools, social work services may be provided by qualified specialists who hold a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement in the area of school social worker under Section 21B-25 of this Code.

School social work services may include, but are not limited to:

(1) Identifying students in need of special education services by conducting a social-developmental study in a case study evaluation;

(2) Developing and implementing comprehensive interventions with students, parents, and teachers that will enhance student adjustment to, and performance in, the school setting;

(3) Consulting and collaborating with teachers and other school personnel regarding behavior management and intervention plans and inclusion in support of special education students in regular classroom settings;

(4) Counseling with students, parents, and teachers in accordance with the rules and regulations governing provision of related services, provided that parent permission must be obtained in writing before a student participates in a group counseling session;

(5) Acting as a liaison between the public schools and community resources;

(6) Developing and implementing school-based prevention programs, including mediation and violence prevention, implementing social and emotional education programs and services, and establishing and implementing bullying prevention and intervention programs;

(7) Providing crisis intervention within the school setting;

(8) Supervising school social work interns enrolled in school social work programs that meet the standards established by the State Board of Education;

(9) Providing parent education and counseling as appropriate in relation to the child's educational assessment;

(10) Assisting in completing a functional behavioral assessment, as well as assisting in the development of nonaversive behavioral intervention strategies; and

(11) Evaluating program effectiveness.

Nothing in this Section prohibits other licensed professionals from providing any of the services listed in this Section for which they are appropriately trained.

(Source: P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.09d)

Sec. 14-1.09d. Behavior analyst. "Behavior analyst" means a person who is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

(Source: P.A. 94-948, eff. 1-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.10) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-1.10)

Sec. 14-1.10. Qualified worker. "Qualified worker" means a trained specialist and includes a behavior analyst, certificated school nurse, professional consultant, registered therapist, school nurse intern, school counselor, school counselor intern, school psychologist, school psychologist intern, school social worker, school social worker intern, special administrator or supervisor giving full time to special education, speech language pathologist, speech language pathologist intern, and teacher of students with IEPs who meets the requirements of this Article, who has the required special training in the understandings, techniques, and special instructional strategies for children with disabilities and who delivers services to students with IEPs, and any other trained specialist set forth by the State Board of Education in rules.

(Source: P.A. 95-363, eff. 8-23-07; 96-257, eff. 8-11-09.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.11) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-1.11)

Sec. 14-1.11. Resident district; parent; legal guardian. The resident district is the school district in which the parent or guardian, or both parent and guardian, of the student reside when:

(1) the parent has legal guardianship of the student and resides within Illinois; or

(2) an individual guardian has been appointed by the courts and resides within Illinois; or

(3) an Illinois public agency has legal guardianship and the student resides either in the home of the parent or within the same district as the parent; or

(4) an Illinois court orders a residential placement but the parents retain any legal rights or guardianship and have not been subject to a termination of parental rights order.

In cases of divorced or separated parents, when only one parent has legal guardianship or custody, the district in which the parent having legal guardianship or custody resides is the resident district. When both parents retain legal guardianship or custody, the resident district is the district in which either parent who provides the student's primary regular fixed night-time abode resides; provided, that the election of resident district may be made only one time per school year.

When the parent has legal guardianship and lives outside of the State of Illinois, or when the individual legal guardian other than the natural parent lives outside the State of Illinois, the parent, legal guardian, or other placing agent is responsible for making arrangements to pay the Illinois school district serving the child for the educational services provided. Those service costs shall be determined in accordance with Section 14-7.01.

(Source: P.A. 95-844, eff. 8-15-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.11a) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-1.11a)

Sec. 14-1.11a. Resident district; student. The resident district is the school district in which the student resides when:

(1) the parent has legal guardianship but the location of the parent is unknown; or

(2) an individual guardian has been appointed but the location of the guardian is unknown; or

(3) the student is 18 years of age or older and no legal guardian has been appointed; or

(4) the student is legally an emancipated minor; or

(5) an Illinois public agency has legal guardianship and such agency or any court in this State has placed the student residentially outside of the school district in which the parent lives.

In cases where an Illinois public agency has legal guardianship and has placed the student residentially outside of Illinois, the last school district that provided at least 45 days of educational service to the student shall continue to be the district of residence until the student is no longer under guardianship of an Illinois public agency or until the student is returned to Illinois.

The resident district of a homeless student is the Illinois district in which the student enrolls for educational services. Homeless students include individuals as defined in the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.

The State Superintendent of Education may determine that the location of the parent or guardian of a student is unknown after considering information submitted from the school district that last enrolled the student or from the school or special education facility providing special education and related services to meet the needs of the student. The information submitted to the State Superintendent of Education must include an affidavit from that school district's superintendent or the facility's director attesting that the location of the parent or guardian is unknown and 4 items of documentary evidence that a minimum of 4 separate attempts were made to locate the parent or guardian. Any determination by the State Superintendent of Education that the location of a parent or guardian is unknown is final. However, any determination made by the State Superintendent of Education is subject to review and reconsideration any time a parent's or guardian's location becomes known.

(Source: P.A. 102-514, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-1.11b) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-1.11b)

Sec. 14-1.11b. Resident district; applicability. The provisions of Sections 14-1.11 and 14-1.11a shall be used to determine the resident district in all cases where special education services and facilities are provided pursuant to Article 14.

(Source: P.A. 87-1117.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-2)

Sec. 14-2. Definition of general education classroom for special education students receiving services in the general education classroom.

(a) With respect to any State statute or administrative rule that defines a general education classroom to be composed of a certain percentage of students with individualized education programs (IEPs), students with individualized education programs shall exclude students receiving only speech services outside of the general education classroom, provided that the instruction the students receive in the general education classroom does not require modification.

(b) In every instance, a school district must ensure that composition of the general education classroom does not interfere with the provision of a free and appropriate public education to any student.

(Source: P.A. 97-284, eff. 8-9-11.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-3.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-3.01)

Sec. 14-3.01. Advisory Council. This amendatory Act of 1998, in compliance with the reauthorization of IDEA in 1997, makes changes in the membership and responsibilities of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities. The Council shall provide advice and policy guidance to the Governor, General Assembly, and the State Board of Education with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities. The State Board of Education shall seek the advice of the Advisory Council regarding all rules and regulations related to the education of children with disabilities that are to be promulgated by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall seek the advice of the Advisory Council on modifications or additions to comprehensive plans submitted under Section 14-4.01. The Council shall consider any rule or regulation or plan submitted to it by the State Board of Education within 60 days after its receipt by the chairperson of the Council.

Additionally, the Advisory Council shall: (1) advise the General Assembly, the Governor, and the State Board of Education on unmet needs in the education of children with disabilities; (2) assist the State Board of Education in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the United States Secretary of Education; (3) advise the State Board of Education relative to qualifications for hearing officers and the rules and procedures for hearings conducted under Section 14-8.02 or 14-8.02a; (4) comment publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the State regarding the education of children with disabilities and the procedures for distribution of funds under this Act; (5) advise the State Board of Education in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; (6) advise State and local education agencies regarding educational programs and materials that may be provided to children with disabilities to enable them to fully exercise their constitutional and legal rights and entitlements as citizens, including those afforded under the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Illinois Human Rights Act; and (7) advise the State Board of Education in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.

The Council shall be composed of 27 members, including 23 voting members appointed by the Governor and 4 ex-officio voting members. Members shall be broadly representative of the State's population in regard to developmental, physical, and mental disabilities, race, ethnic background, gender, and geographic location. Nine members shall be parents of children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 years currently receiving special education services at public expense. Five members shall be individuals with disabilities, including one student or former student who is at least 18 years of age and no older than 21 years of age at the time of his or her appointment to the Council and who is receiving special education services at public expense or received those services at the time his or her high school program terminated. Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, the Governor or his designee shall invite statewide organizations, being as inclusive as possible and based upon a reasonable inquiry, and Parent Training and Information Centers representing parents of children with disabilities, individuals with disabilities or both, to convene for the purpose of recommending to the Governor twice the number of individuals required to be appointed as members from each of the categories described in this paragraph, from which the Governor may appoint the 14 members of the Council who are parents of children with disabilities and individuals with disabilities. The 9 members who are parents of children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 years receiving special education services at public expense and the 5 members who are individuals with disabilities shall not be current full or part-time employees of school districts, special education cooperatives, regional service areas or centers, or any agency under the jurisdiction of any elected State official.

In addition, the Governor shall appoint one regional superintendent of schools, one representative of an institution of higher education that prepares special education and related services personnel, one teacher of students with disabilities, one superintendent of a public school district, one director of a special education cooperative or special education administrator from a school district of less than 500,000 population, one representative of a public charter school, one representative of a private school serving children with disabilities, one representative of a vocational, community, or business organization that provides transition services to children with disabilities, and one at-large member from the general public. In addition, the Secretary of Human Services or his or her designee, the Director of Children and Family Services or his or her designee, the Director of Corrections or his or her designee, and the Director of Special Education for the City of Chicago School District #299 or his or her designee shall serve as ex-officio voting members of the Council.

All Council members shall be legal residents of the State of Illinois and shall be selected, as far as practicable, on the basis of their knowledge of, or experience in, the education of children with disabilities.

The initial members to be appointed to the Council by the Governor under the provisions of this amendatory Act of 1998 shall be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of that amendatory Act; provided that those persons who are serving as Council members on that effective date and who, as determined by the Governor after consultation with the State Board of Education, meet the requirements established by this amendatory Act for appointment to membership on the Council shall continue to serve as Council members until the completion of the remainder of their current terms. The initial members of the Council who are not Council members on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998 and who are appointed by the Governor under this amendatory Act of 1998 shall by lot determine one-third of their number to serve for a term of 2 years (provided that person appointed as the student or former student member shall be included among those members who are to serve a term of 2 years), one-third of their number to serve for a term of 3 years, and one-third of their number to serve for a term of 4 years; provided, that if the total number of initial members so appointed by the Governor is not divisible into 3 whole numbers, all of the initial members so appointed shall by lot be assigned to 3 groups as follows: (i) the members assigned to the first group, who shall include the student or former student member and who shall be equal in number to the number of members who are assigned to the second group, shall serve for a term of 2 years; (ii) the members assigned to the second group, who shall be equal in number to the number of members who are assigned to the first group, shall serve for a term of 3 years; and (iii) the members assigned to the third group, who shall comprise the remainder of the initial members so appointed by the Governor and whose number shall be either one more or one less than the number of members assigned to either the first group or second group, shall serve for a term of 4 years. Upon expiration of the term of office of a member of the Council who is not an ex-officio member, his or her successor shall be appointed by the Governor to serve for a term of 4 years, except that a successor appointed as the student or former student member shall be appointed to serve for a term of 2 years. Each member of the Council who is not an ex-officio member and whose term of office expires shall nevertheless continue to serve as a Council member until his or her successor is appointed. Each of the 4 ex-officio members of the Council shall continue to serve as a Council member during the period in which he or she continues to hold the office by reason of which he or she became an ex-officio member of the Council. The initial members of the Council who are not ex-officio members shall not, upon completion of their respective initial terms, be appointed to serve more than one additional consecutive term of 4 years, nor shall any successor member of the Council be appointed to serve more than 2 full consecutive 4-year terms; provided, that a person appointed as the student or former student member shall serve only one two-year term and shall not be reappointed to serve for an additional term. Vacancies in Council memberships held by parents of children with disabilities or individuals with disabilities may be filled from the original list of such parents and individuals recommended to the Governor. The Governor shall reconvene the group of organizations that provided the original list of parents of children with disabilities and individuals with disabilities when additional recommendations for those Council memberships are needed, but at a minimum the group shall be convened every 2 years for the purpose of updating the list of recommended parents or individuals. A vacancy in an appointed membership on the Council shall be filled for the unexpired balance of the term of that membership in the same manner that the original appointment for that membership was made.

The terms of all persons serving as Advisory Council members on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998 who are not determined by the Governor, after consultation with the State Board of Education, to meet the requirements established by this amendatory Act for appointment to initial membership on the Council shall terminate on the date that the Governor completes his appointments of the initial members of the Council under this amendatory Act, and the members of the Council as constituted under this amendatory Act shall take office and assume their powers and duties on that date.

The Council as constituted under this amendatory Act of 1998 shall organize with a chairperson selected by the Council members and shall meet at the call of the chairperson upon 10 days written notice but not less than 4 times a year. The Council shall establish such committees and procedures as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this Act and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The State Board of Education shall designate an employee to act as executive secretary of the Council and shall furnish all professional and clerical assistance necessary for the performance of its duties.

Members of the Council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for the necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the State Board of Education's Travel Control Policy.

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95; 89-507, eff. 7-1-97; 90-644, eff. 7-24-98.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-3.02)

Sec. 14-3.02. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-3.03)

Sec. 14-3.03. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-4.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-4.01)

Sec. 14-4.01. Special educational facilities for children with disabilities.

(a) School boards of any school districts that maintain a recognized school, whether operating under the general law or under a special charter, subject to any limitations hereinafter specified, shall establish and maintain such special educational facilities as may be needed for children with disabilities as defined in Section 14-1.02 of this Article who are residents of their school district, and such children, residents of other school districts as may be authorized by this Article.

All such school boards shall place or by regulation may authorize the director of special education to place, pursuant to procedures required by this Act and rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, eligible children into special education programs designed to benefit children with disabilities defined in Sections 14-1.02 through 14-1.07 of this Act.

(b) All school districts, administrative districts or governing boards responsible for providing special education services shall submit to the appropriate regional superintendent comprehensive plans or modifications thereto for the provision of special education services in accordance with rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. Copies of comprehensive plans or modifications thereto shall be forwarded by the regional superintendent to the State Board of Education. Regional superintendents who provide special education services shall submit comprehensive plans or modifications thereto directly to the State Board of Education. Comprehensive plans or modifications thereto shall be made available by regional superintendents for public inspection during regular business hours.

The State Board of Education shall provide for the submission of comprehensive plans not more frequently than once every 3 years but may require the submission of such modifications as it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act and applicable federal law.

(c) Special education cooperatives established by school districts are eligible for school maintenance project grants under Section 5-100 of the School Construction Law.

(Source: P.A. 98-710, eff. 7-16-14.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-5.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-5.01)

Sec. 14-5.01. Application of Article. This Article applies to school boards of all types and sizes of school districts, including but not limited to special charter districts, community consolidated school districts, community unit school districts, consolidated school districts, high school districts, non-high school districts, community high school districts, and districts exceeding 500,000 inhabitants.

(Source: Laws 1965, p. 1948.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-6.01)

Sec. 14-6.01. Powers and duties of school boards. School boards of one or more school districts establishing and maintaining any of the educational facilities described in this Article shall, in connection therewith, exercise similar powers and duties as are prescribed by law for the establishment, maintenance, and management of other recognized educational facilities. Such school boards shall include only eligible children in the program and shall comply with all the requirements of this Article and all rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education. Such school boards shall accept in part-time attendance children with disabilities of the types described in Sections 14-1.02 through 14-1.07 who are enrolled in nonpublic schools. A request for part-time attendance must be submitted by a parent or guardian of the child with a disability and may be made only to those public schools located in the district where the child attending the nonpublic school resides; however, nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting an agreement between the district where the child resides and another public school district to provide special educational services if such an arrangement is deemed more convenient and economical. Special education and related services must be provided in accordance with the student's IEP no later than 10 school attendance days after notice is provided to the parents pursuant to Section 300.503 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations and implementing rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Transportation for students in part time attendance shall be provided only if required in the child's individualized educational program on the basis of the child's disabling condition or as the special education program location may require.

Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, a school board shall post on its Internet website, if any, and incorporate into its student handbook or newsletter notice that students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education program, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and implementing provisions of this Code, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the child (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment. Such notice shall identify the location and phone number of the office or agent of the school district to whom inquiries should be directed regarding the identification, assessment, and placement of such children. The notice shall also state that any parent who is deaf or does not typically communicate using spoken English and who participates in a Section 504 meeting with a representative of a local educational agency shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter.

For a school district organized under Article 34 only, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the school district shall, in collaboration with its primary office overseeing special education, publish on the school district's publicly available website any proposed changes to its special education policies, directives, guidelines, or procedures that impact the provision of educational or related services to students with disabilities or the procedural safeguards afforded to students with disabilities or their parents or guardians made by the school district or school board. Any policy, directive, guideline, or procedural change that impacts those provisions or safeguards that is authorized by the school district's primary office overseeing special education or any other administrative office of the school district must be published on the school district's publicly available website no later than 45 days before the adoption of that change. Any policy directive, guideline, or procedural change that impacts those provisions or safeguards that is authorized by the school board must be published on the school district's publicly available website no later than 30 days before the date of presentation to the school board for adoption. The school district's website must allow for virtual public comments on proposed special education policy, directive, guideline, or procedural changes that impact the provision of educational or related services to students with disabilities or the procedural safeguards afforded to students with disabilities or their parents or guardians from the date of the notification of the proposed change on the website until the date the change is adopted by the school district or until the date the change is presented to the school board for adoption. After the period for public comment is closed, the school district must maintain all public comments for a period of not less than 2 years from the date the special education change is adopted. The public comments are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The school board shall, at a minimum, advertise the notice of the change and availability for public comment on its website. The State Board of Education may add additional reporting requirements for the district beyond policy, directive, guideline, or procedural changes that impact the provision of educational or related services to students with disabilities or the procedural safeguards afforded to students with disabilities or their parents or guardians if the State Board determines it is in the best interest of the students enrolled in the district receiving special education services.

School boards shall immediately provide upon request by any person written materials and other information that indicates the specific policies, procedures, rules and regulations regarding the identification, evaluation or educational placement of children with disabilities under Section 14-8.02 of the School Code. Such information shall include information regarding all rights and entitlements of such children under this Code, and of the opportunity to present complaints with respect to any matter relating to educational placement of the student, or the provision of a free appropriate public education and to have an impartial due process hearing on the complaint. The notice shall inform the parents or guardian in the parents' or guardian's native language, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so, of their rights and all procedures available pursuant to this Act and federal Public Law 94-142; it shall be the responsibility of the State Superintendent to develop uniform notices setting forth the procedures available under this Act and federal Public Law 94-142, as amended, to be used by all school boards. The notice shall also inform the parents or guardian of the availability upon request of a list of free or low-cost legal and other relevant services available locally to assist parents or guardians in exercising rights or entitlements under this Code. For a school district organized under Article 34 only, the school district must make the entirety of its special education Procedural Manual and any other guidance documents pertaining to special education publicly available, in print and on the school district's website, in both English and Spanish. Upon request, the school district must make the Procedural Manual and other guidance documents available in print in any other language and accessible for individuals with disabilities.

Any parent or guardian who is deaf, or does not normally communicate using spoken English, who participates in a meeting with a representative of a local educational agency for the purposes of developing an individualized educational program shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter.

No student with a disability or, in a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code, child with a learning disability may be denied promotion, graduation or a general diploma on the basis of failing a minimal competency test when such failure can be directly related to the disabling condition of the student. For the purpose of this Act, "minimal competency testing" is defined as tests which are constructed to measure the acquisition of skills to or beyond a certain defined standard.

Effective July 1, 1966, high school districts are financially responsible for the education of pupils with disabilities who are residents in their districts when such pupils have reached age 15 but may admit children with disabilities into special educational facilities without regard to graduation from the eighth grade after such pupils have reached the age of 14 1/2 years. Upon a pupil with a disability attaining the age of 14 1/2 years, it shall be the duty of the elementary school district in which the pupil resides to notify the high school district in which the pupil resides of the pupil's current eligibility for special education services, of the pupil's current program, and of all evaluation data upon which the current program is based. After an examination of that information the high school district may accept the current placement and all subsequent timelines shall be governed by the current individualized educational program; or the high school district may elect to conduct its own evaluation and multidisciplinary staff conference and formulate its own individualized educational program, in which case the procedures and timelines contained in Section 14-8.02 shall apply.

(Source: P.A. 101-515, eff. 8-23-19; 102-1072, eff. 6-10-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.02) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-6.02)

Sec. 14-6.02. Service animals. Service animals such as guide dogs, signal dogs or any other animal individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a student with a disability shall be permitted to accompany that student at all school functions, whether in or outside the classroom. For the purposes of this Section, "service animal" has the same meaning as in Section 48-8 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(Source: P.A. 97-956, eff. 8-14-12; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.03)

Sec. 14-6.03. Speech-language pathology assistants.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, on or after January 1, 2002, no person shall perform the duties of a speech-language pathology assistant without first applying for and receiving a license for that purpose from the Department of Professional Regulation. A person employed as a speech-language pathology assistant in any class, service, or program authorized by this Article may perform only those duties authorized by this Section under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist as provided in this Section. This Section does not apply to speech-language pathology paraprofessionals approved by the State Board of Education.

(b) A speech-language pathology assistant may not be assigned his or her own student caseload. The student caseload limit of a speech-language pathologist who supervises any speech-language pathology assistants shall be determined by the severity of the needs of the students served by the speech-language pathologist. A full-time speech-language pathologist's caseload limit may not exceed 80 students (60 students on or after September 1, 2003) at any time. The caseload limit of a part-time speech-language pathologist shall be determined by multiplying the caseload limit of a full-time speech-language pathologist by a percentage that equals the number of hours worked by the part-time speech-language pathologist divided by the number of hours worked by a full-time speech-language pathologist in that school district. Employment of a speech-language pathology assistant may not increase or decrease the caseload of the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(c) A school district that intends to utilize the services of a speech-language pathology assistant must provide written notification to the parent or guardian of each student who will be served by a speech-language pathology assistant.

(d) The scope of responsibility of a speech-language pathology assistant shall be limited to supplementing the role of the speech-language pathologist in implementing the treatment program established by a speech-language pathologist. The functions and duties of a speech-language pathology assistant shall be limited to the following:

(1) Conducting speech-language screening, without interpretation, and using screening protocols selected by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(2) Providing direct treatment assistance to students under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.

(3) Following and implementing documented treatment plans or protocols developed by a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(4) Documenting student progress toward meeting established objectives, and reporting the information to a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(5) Assisting a speech-language pathologist during assessments, including, but not limited to, assisting with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties for a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(6) Acting as an interpreter for non-English speaking students and their family members when competent to do so.

(7) Scheduling activities and preparing charts, records, graphs, and data.

(8) Performing checks and maintenance of equipment, including, but not limited to, augmentative communication devices.

(9) Assisting with speech-language pathology research projects, in-service training, and family or community education.

(e) A speech-language pathology assistant may not:

(1) perform standardized or nonstandardized diagnostic tests or formal or informal evaluations or interpret test results;

(2) screen or diagnose students for feeding or swallowing disorders;

(3) participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(4) provide student or family counseling;

(5) write, develop, or modify a student's individualized treatment plan;

(6) assist with students without following the individualized treatment plan prepared by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(7) sign any formal documents, such as treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports;

(8) select students for services;

(9) discharge a student from services;

(10) disclose clinical or confidential information, either orally or in writing, to anyone other than the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(11) make referrals for additional services;

(12) counsel or consult with the student, family, or others regarding the student's status or service;

(13) represent himself or herself to be a speech-language pathologist or a speech therapist;

(14) use a checklist or tabulate results of feeding or swallowing evaluations; or

(15) demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions to students, family, or staff.

(f) A speech-language pathology assistant shall practice only under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist who has at least 2 years experience in addition to the supervised professional experience required under subsection (f) of Section 8 of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. A speech-language pathologist who supervises a speech-language pathology assistant must have completed at least 10 clock hours of training in the supervision of speech-language pathology assistants. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules describing the supervision training requirements. The rules may allow a speech-language pathologist to apply to the State Board of Education for an exemption from this training requirement based upon prior supervisory experience.

(g) A speech-language pathology assistant must be under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist at least 30% of the speech-language pathology assistant's actual student contact time per student for the first 90 days of initial employment as a speech-language pathology assistant. Thereafter, the speech-language pathology assistant must be under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist at least 20% of the speech-language pathology assistant's actual student contact time per student. Supervision of a speech-language pathology assistant beyond the minimum requirements of this subsection may be imposed at the discretion of the supervising speech-language pathologist. A supervising speech-language pathologist must be available to communicate with a speech-language pathology assistant whenever the assistant is in contact with a student.

(h) A speech-language pathologist that supervises a speech-language pathology assistant must document direct supervision activities. At a minimum, supervision documentation must provide (i) information regarding the quality of the speech-language pathology assistant's performance of assigned duties and (ii) verification that clinical activity is limited to duties specified in this Section.

(i) A full-time speech-language pathologist may supervise no more than 2 speech-language pathology assistants. A speech-language pathologist that does not work full-time may supervise no more than one speech-language pathology assistant.

(Source: P.A. 92-510, eff. 6-1-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.04)

Sec. 14-6.04. Contracting for speech-language pathology services.

(a) For purposes of this Section:

"Reasonable efforts" means performing all of the following:

(1) placing at least 3 employment advertisements for a speech-language pathologist published in the newspaper of widest distribution within the school district or cooperative;

(2) placing one employment listing in the placement bulletin of a college or university that has a speech-language pathology curriculum that is located in the geographic area of the school district or cooperative, if any; and

(3) posting the position for speech-language pathologist on the Illinois Association of School Administrators' job placement service for at least 30 days.

"Speech-language pathologist" means a person who:

(1) holds a master's or doctoral degree with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology from an institution whose course of study was approved or program was accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its predecessor; and

(2) either (i) has completed a program of study that meets the content-area standards for speech-language pathologists approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, (ii) has completed a program in another state, territory, or possession of the United States that is comparable to an approved program of study described in item (i), or (iii) holds a certificate or license issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States that is comparable to a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement in the area of speech-language pathologist. If the requirements described in items (i), (ii), or (iii) of this paragraph (2) have not been met, a person must provide evidence that he or she has completed at least 150 clock hours of supervised experience in speech-language pathology with students with disabilities in a school setting, including experience required by federal law or federal court order; however, a person who lacks such experience shall participate in school-based professional experience of at least 150 clock hours to meet this requirement.

"Speech-language pathology services" means the application of methods and procedures for identifying, measuring, testing, appraising, predicting, and modifying communication development and disorders or disabilities of speech, language, voice, swallowing, and other speech, language, and voice-related disorders for the purpose of counseling, consulting, and rendering services or participating in the planning, directing, or conducting of programs that are designed to modify communicative disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals involving speech, language, voice, and swallowing functions.

(b) A school district or a cooperative must make reasonable efforts to employ a speech-language pathologist. While making those reasonable efforts or after unsuccessful reasonable efforts have been made, or both, a school district or cooperative may contract for speech-language pathology services with a speech-language pathologist or an entity that employs speech-language pathologists. A speech-language pathologist who provides speech-language pathology services pursuant to a contract must:

(1) hold a speech-language pathology license under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act or hold or have applied for a temporary license issued under Section 8.1 of that Act; and

(2) hold a Professional Educator License with a special education endorsement in the area of speech-language pathologist or with a school support personnel endorsement in the area of school speech and language pathologist under this Code.

(Source: P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.10)

Sec. 14-6.10. Transfer of parental rights at the age of majority.

(a) When a student who is eligible for special education under this Article reaches the majority age of 18 years, all rights accorded to the student's parents under this Article transfer to the student, except as provided in this Section. This transfer of rights also applies to students who are incarcerated in an adult or juvenile State or local correctional institution. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to deny a student with a disability who has reached majority age the right to have an adult of his or her choice, including, but not limited to, the student's parent, assist the student in making decisions regarding the student's individualized education program.

(b) The school district must notify the student and the student's parents of the transfer of rights in writing at a meeting convened to review the student's individualized education program during the school year in which the student turns 17 years of age. At that time, the school district must provide the student with a copy of the Delegation of Rights form described in this Section. The school district must mail the notice and a copy of the Delegation of Rights form to the student and to the student's parents, addressed to their last known address, if they do not attend the meeting.

(c) Rights shall not transfer from the parents to the student under this Section if either of the following apply:

(1) The student with a disability who has reached the age of majority has been adjudged incompetent under State law.

(2) The student has not been adjudged incompetent under State law, but the student has executed a Delegation of Rights to make educational decisions pursuant to this Section for the purpose of appointing the student's parent or other adult to represent the educational interests of the student.

A student may terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make decisions regarding his or her education. The Delegation of Rights shall meet all of the following requirements:

(A) It shall remain in effect for one year after the date of execution, but may be renewed annually with the written or other formal authorization of the student and the person the student delegates to represent the educational interests of the student.

(B) It shall be signed by the student or verified by other means, such as audio or video or other alternative format compatible with the student's disability showing that the student has agreed to the terms of the delegation.

(C) It shall be signed or otherwise manifest verification that the designee accepts the delegation.

(D) It shall include declarations that the student (i) is 18 years of age or older, (ii) intends to delegate his or her educational rights under federal and State law to a specified individual who is at least 18 years of age, (iii) has not been adjudged incompetent under State law, (iv) is entitled to be present during the development of the student's individualized education program and to raise issues or concerns about the student's individualized education program, (v) will be permitted to terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time, and (vi) will notify the school district immediately if the student terminates the Delegation of Rights.

(E) It shall be identical or substantially the same as the following form:

DELEGATION OF RIGHTS TO MAKE EDUCATIONAL DECISION

I, (insert name), am 18 years of age or older and a student who has the right to make educational decisions for myself under State and federal law. I have not been adjudged incompetent and, as of the date of the execution of this document, I hereby delegate my right to give consent and make decisions concerning my education to (insert name), who will be considered my "parent" for purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and Article 14 of the School Code and will exercise all of the rights and responsibilities concerning my education that are conferred on a parent under those laws. I understand and give my consent for (insert name) to make all decisions relating to my education on my behalf. I understand that I have the right to be present at meetings held to develop my individualized education program and that I have the right to raise any issues or concerns I may have and that the school district must consider them.

This delegation will be in effect for one year from the date of execution below and may be renewed by my written or other formal authorization. I also understand that I have the right to terminate this Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make my own decisions regarding my education. I understand that I must notify the school district immediately if I revoke this Delegation of Rights prior to its expiration.

(insert name)

Student

DATE: (insert date)

Accepted by: (insert name)

Designated Representative

(Source: P.A. 95-372, eff. 8-23-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.01)

Sec. 14-7.01. Children attending classes in another district.) If a child, resident of one school district, because of his disability, attends a class or school for any of such types of children in another school district, the school district in which he resides shall grant the proper permit, provide any necessary transportation, and pay to the school district maintaining the special educational facilities the per capita cost of educating such children.

Such per capita cost shall be computed in the following manner. The cost of conducting and maintaining any special educational facility shall be first determined and shall include the following expenses applicable only to such educational facility under rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education as follows:

(a) Salaries of teachers, professional workers, necessary non-certified workers, clerks, librarians, custodial employees, readers, and any district taxes specifically for their pension and retirement benefits.

(b) Educational supplies and equipment including textbooks.

(c) Administrative costs and communication.

(d) Operation of physical plant including heat, light, water, repairs, and maintenance.

(e) Auxiliary service, including up to 20% of transportation cost.

(f) Depreciation of physical facilities at a rate of $200 per pupil, or the actual rental paid for the physical facilities calculated on a per pupil basis. From such total cost thus determined there shall be deducted the State reimbursement due on account of such educational program for the same year, not including any State reimbursement for special education transportation and offsetting federal revenue for the program, except federally funded health care reimbursement need not be deducted. Such net cost shall be divided by the average number of pupils in average daily enrollment in such special education facility for the school year in order to arrive at the net per capita tuition cost.

If the child, resident of any school district, because of his disability, attends a class or school for any of such types of children maintained in a teacher training center supported by public funds or State institution of higher learning, the resident district shall provide any necessary transportation and shall be eligible to the transportation reimbursement provided in Section 14-13.01.

A resident district may, upon request, provide transportation for residents of the district who meet the requirements, other than the specified age, of children with disabilities as defined in Section 14-1.02, who attend classes in another district, and shall make a charge for any such transportation in an amount equal to the cost thereof, including a reasonable allowance for depreciation of the vehicles used.

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95.)

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

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-175)

Sec. 14-7.02. Children attending private 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.

(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. 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. 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, Public Aid, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget; the Secretary of Human 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. 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 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 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 districts 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, public out-of-state school or 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 his 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.

(Source: P.A. 102-254, eff. 8-6-21; 102-703, eff. 4-22-22; 103-175, eff. 6-30-23.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-546)

Sec. 14-7.02. Children attending private 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 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 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 placement. The State Board of Education shall promptly, within 10 days after the request, approve a request for emergency and student-specific approval for 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 place the student in an approved facility, but no approved facility has accepted the student or has availability for immediate 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 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 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. 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. 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, Public Aid, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget; the Secretary of Human 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. 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 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 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 districts 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, public out-of-state school or 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 his 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.

(Source: P.A. 102-254, eff. 8-6-21; 102-703, eff. 4-22-22; 103-546, eff. 8-11-23.)

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

Sec. 14-7.02a. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-568, eff. 6-26-02. Repealed by P.A. 93-1022, eff. 8-24-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.02b)

Sec. 14-7.02b. Funding for children requiring special education services. Payments to school districts for children requiring special education services documented in their individualized education program regardless of the program from which these services are received, excluding children claimed under Sections 14-7.02 and 14-7.03 of this Code, shall be made in accordance with this Section. Funds received under this Section may be used only for the provision of special educational facilities and services as defined in Section 14-1.08 of this Code.

The appropriation for fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2017 shall be based upon the IDEA child count of all students in the State, excluding students claimed under Sections 14-7.02 and 14-7.03 of this Code, on December 1 of the fiscal year 2 years preceding, multiplied by 17.5% of the general State aid foundation level of support established for that fiscal year under Section 18-8.05 of this Code.

Beginning with fiscal year 2005 and through fiscal year 2007, individual school districts shall not receive payments under this Section totaling less than they received under the funding authorized under Section 14-7.02a of this Code during fiscal year 2004, pursuant to the provisions of Section 14-7.02a as they were in effect before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. This base level funding shall be computed first.

Beginning with fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2017, individual school districts must not receive payments under this Section totaling less than they received in fiscal year 2007. This funding shall be computed last and shall be a separate calculation from any other calculation set forth in this Section. This amount is exempt from the requirements of Section 1D-1 of this Code.

Through fiscal year 2017, an amount equal to 85% of the funds remaining in the appropriation shall be allocated to school districts based upon the district's average daily attendance reported for purposes of Section 18-8.05 of this Code for the preceding school year. Fifteen percent of the funds remaining in the appropriation shall be allocated to school districts based upon the district's low income eligible pupil count used in the calculation of general State aid under Section 18-8.05 of this Code for the same fiscal year. One hundred percent of the funds computed and allocated to districts under this Section shall be distributed and paid to school districts.

For individual students with disabilities whose program costs exceed 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate as calculated under Section 10-20.12a of this Code, the costs in excess of 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate shall be paid by the State Board of Education from unexpended IDEA discretionary funds originally designated for room and board reimbursement pursuant to Section 14-8.01 of this Code. The amount of tuition for these children shall be determined by the actual cost of maintaining classes for these children, using the per capita cost formula set forth in Section 14-7.01 of this Code, with the program and cost being pre-approved by the State Superintendent of Education. Reimbursement for individual students with disabilities whose program costs exceed 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate shall be claimed beginning with costs encumbered for the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter.

The State Board of Education shall prepare vouchers equal to one-fourth the amount allocated to 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. The Comptroller shall make payments pursuant to this Section to school districts as soon as possible after receipt of vouchers. If the money appropriated from the General Assembly for such purposes for any year is insufficient, it shall be apportioned on the basis of the payments due to school districts.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to decrease or increase the percentage of all special education funds that are allocated annually under Article 1D of this Code or to alter the requirement that a school district provide special education services.

Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall eliminate any reimbursement obligation owed as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly to a school district with in excess of 500,000 inhabitants.

Except for reimbursement for individual students with disabilities whose program costs exceed 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate, no funding shall be provided to school districts under this Section after fiscal year 2017.

In fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter, all funding received by a school district from the State pursuant to Section 18–8.15 of this Code that is attributable to students requiring special education services must be used for special education services authorized under this Code.

(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)