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Illinois Compiled Statutes

Information maintained by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.


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105 ILCS 5/3-15.7

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.7) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.7)
    Sec. 3-15.7. Maps and records of new districts. To demand of the trustees of schools or regional board of school trustees having custody of maps and records of school districts as organized certified copies of the same. In case of discrepancies or defects in defining the boundaries of school districts the county superintendent, or in case of a district lying in two or more counties, the county superintendents of such counties acting jointly, may define such boundaries in conformity with what appears to have been the intention of the trustees of schools when such boundaries were established.
(Source: P.A. 87-473.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.8

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.8) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.8)
    Sec. 3-15.8. Report to State Board of Education. On or before November 15, annually, to present to the State Board of Education such information relating to schools in his region as the State Board of Education may require.
(Source: P.A. 82-143.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.9

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.9) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.9)
    Sec. 3-15.9. Delivery of money, books, papers and property to successor. Upon his removal or resignation, or at the expiration of his term of office, or in case of his death his representatives to deliver to his successor in office, on demand, all moneys, books, papers and personal property belonging to his office or subject to his control or disposition.
    On and after July 1, 1994, the provisions of this Section shall have no application in any educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants.
(Source: P.A. 87-654; 87-1251.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.10

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.10) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.10)
    Sec. 3-15.10. Assistant Regional Superintendent. To employ, in counties or regions of 2,000,000 inhabitants or less, in addition to any assistants authorized to be employed with the approval of the county board, an assistant regional superintendent of schools, who shall be a person of good attainment, versed in the principles and methods of education, and qualified to teach and supervise schools under Article 21B of this Code; to fix the term of such assistant; and to direct his work and define his duties. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, in regions established within that portion of a Class II county school unit outside of a city of 500,000 or more inhabitants, the employment of all persons serving as assistant county or regional superintendents of schools is terminated, the position of assistant regional superintendent of schools in each such region is abolished, and this Section shall, beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, have no further application in the educational service region. Assistant regional superintendents shall each be a person of good attainment, versed in the principles and methods of education, and qualified to teach and supervise schools under Article 21B of this Code. The work of such assistant regional superintendent shall be so arranged and directed that the county or regional superintendent and assistant superintendent, together, shall devote an amount of time during the school year, equal to at least the full time of one individual, to the supervision of schools and of teaching in the schools of the county.
    A regional superintendent of schools shall not employ his or her spouse, child, stepchild, or relative as an assistant regional superintendent of schools. By September 1 each year, a regional superintendent shall certify to the State Board of Education that he or she has complied with this paragraph. If the State Board of Education becomes aware of the fact that a regional superintendent is employing his or her spouse, child, stepchild, or relative as an assistant regional superintendent, the State Board of Education shall report this information to the Governor and the Comptroller, and the State Board of Education shall not request for payment from the State Comptroller any warrants for the payment of the assistant regional superintendent's salary or other employment-related compensation or benefits. In this paragraph, "relative" means a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, first cousin, nephew, niece, grandchild, or spouse of one of these persons. This paragraph applies only to contracts for employment entered into on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.11

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.11)
    Sec. 3-15.11. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.12

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.12)
    Sec. 3-15.12. High school equivalency. The regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board shall make available for qualified individuals residing within the region a High School Equivalency Testing Program and alternative methods of credentialing, as identified under this Section. For that purpose the regional superintendent alone or with other regional superintendents may establish and supervise a testing center or centers to administer the secure forms for high school equivalency testing to qualified persons. Such centers shall be under the supervision of the regional superintendent in whose region such centers are located, subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board. The Illinois Community College Board shall also establish criteria and make available alternative methods of credentialing throughout the State.
    An individual is eligible to apply to the regional superintendent of schools for the region in which he or she resides if he or she is: (a) a person who is 17 years of age or older, has maintained residence in the State of Illinois, and is not a high school graduate; (b) a person who is successfully completing an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B; or (c) a person who is enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard. For purposes of this Section, residence is that abode which the applicant considers his or her home. Applicants may provide as sufficient proof of such residence and as an acceptable form of identification a driver's license, valid passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued national or foreign identification that shows the applicant's name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph or other acceptable identification as may be allowed by law or as regulated by the Illinois Community College Board. Such regional superintendent shall determine if the applicant meets statutory and regulatory state standards.
    If qualified the applicant shall at the time of such application pay a fee established by the Illinois Community College Board, which fee shall be paid into a special fund under the control and supervision of the regional superintendent. Such moneys received by the regional superintendent shall be used, first, for the expenses incurred in administering and scoring the examination, and next for other educational programs that are developed and designed by the regional superintendent of schools to assist those who successfully complete high school equivalency testing or meet the criteria for alternative methods of credentialing in furthering their academic development or their ability to secure and retain gainful employment, including programs for the competitive award based on test scores of college or adult education scholarship grants or similar educational incentives. Any excess moneys shall be paid into the institute fund.
    Any applicant who has achieved the minimum passing standards as established by the Illinois Community College Board shall be notified in writing by the regional superintendent and shall be issued a State of Illinois High School Diploma on the forms provided by the Illinois Community College Board. The regional superintendent shall then certify to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and such other and additional information that may be required by the Illinois Community College Board. The moneys received therefrom shall be used in the same manner as provided for in this Section.
    The Illinois Community College Board shall establish alternative methods of credentialing for the issuance of a State of Illinois High School Diploma. In addition to high school equivalency testing, the following alternative methods of receiving a State of Illinois High School Diploma shall be made available to qualified individuals on or after January 1, 2018:
        (A) High School Equivalency based on High School
    
Credit. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her high school transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria as established by the Illinois Community College Board.
        (B) High School Equivalency based on Post-Secondary
    
Credit. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her post-secondary transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria established by the Illinois Community College Board.
        (C) High School Equivalency based on a Foreign
    
Diploma. A qualified candidate may petition to have his or her foreign high school or post-secondary transcripts evaluated to determine what the candidate needs to meet criteria established by the Illinois Community College Board.
        (D) High School Equivalency based on Completion of a
    
Competency-Based Program as approved by the Illinois Community College Board. The Illinois Community College Board shall establish guidelines for competency-based high school equivalency programs.
    Any applicant who has attained the age of 17 years and maintained residence in the State of Illinois and is not a high school graduate, any person who has enrolled in a youth education program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, or any person who has successfully completed an alternative education program under Section 2-3.81, Article 13A, or Article 13B is eligible to apply for a State of Illinois High School Diploma (if he or she meets the requirements prescribed by the Illinois Community College Board) upon showing evidence that he or she has completed, successfully, high school equivalency testing, administered by the United States Armed Forces Institute, official high school equivalency testing centers established in other states, Veterans' Administration Hospitals, or the office of the State Superintendent of Education for the Illinois State Penitentiary System and the Department of Corrections. Such applicant shall apply to the regional superintendent of the region wherein he or she has maintained residence, and, upon payment of a fee established by the Illinois Community College Board, the regional superintendent shall issue a State of Illinois High School Diploma and immediately thereafter certify to the Illinois Community College Board the score of the applicant and such other and additional information as may be required by the Illinois Community College Board.
    Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, any applicant who has been out of school for at least one year may request the regional superintendent of schools to administer restricted high school equivalency testing upon written request of: the director of a program who certifies to the Chief Examiner of an official high school equivalency testing center that the applicant has completed a program of instruction provided by such agencies as the Job Corps, the Postal Service Academy, or an apprenticeship training program; an employer or program director for purposes of entry into apprenticeship programs; another state's department of education in order to meet regulations established by that department of education; or a post high school educational institution for purposes of admission, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for licensing purposes, or the Armed Forces for induction purposes. The regional superintendent shall administer such testing, and the applicant shall be notified in writing that he or she is eligible to receive a State of Illinois High School Diploma upon reaching age 17, provided he or she meets the standards established by the Illinois Community College Board.
    Any test administered under this Section to an applicant who does not speak and understand English may at the discretion of the administering agency be given and answered in any language in which the test is printed. The regional superintendent of schools may waive any fees required by this Section in case of hardship. The regional superintendent of schools and the Illinois Community College Board shall waive any fees required by this Section for an applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
        (1) The applicant qualifies as a homeless person,
    
child, or youth as defined in the Education for Homeless Children Act.
        (2) The applicant has not attained 25 years of age
    
as of the date of the scheduled test.
        (3) The applicant can verify his or her status as a
    
homeless person, child, or youth. A homeless services provider that is qualified to verify an individual's housing status, as determined by the Illinois Community College Board, and that has knowledge of the applicant's housing status may verify the applicant's status for purposes of this subdivision (3).
        (4) The applicant has completed a high school
    
equivalency preparation course through an Illinois Community College Board-approved provider.
        (5) The applicant is taking the test at a testing
    
center operated by a regional superintendent of schools or the Cook County High School Equivalency Office.
    In counties of over 3,000,000 population, a State of Illinois High School Diploma shall contain the signatures of the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board and the superintendent, president, or other chief executive officer of the institution where high school equivalency testing instruction occurred and any other signatures authorized by the Illinois Community College Board.
    The regional superintendent of schools shall furnish the Illinois Community College Board with any information that the Illinois Community College Board requests with regard to testing and diplomas under this Section.
     A State of Illinois High School Diploma is a recognized high school equivalency certificate for purposes of reciprocity with other states. A high school equivalency certificate from another state is equivalent to a State of Illinois High School Diploma.
(Source: P.A. 102-1100, eff. 1-1-23.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.12a

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12a)
    Sec. 3-15.12a. Alternate route to high school diploma for adult learners.
    (a) The purpose of Public Act 100-514 is to provide eligible applicants that have been or are unable to establish agreements with a secondary or unit school district in the area in which the applicant is located with a process for attaining the authority to award high school diplomas to adult learners.
    (a-5) In this Section:
    "Adult learner" means a person ineligible for reenrollment under subsection (b) of Section 26-2 of this Code and 34 CFR 300.102.
    "Board" means the Illinois Community College Board.
    "Eligible applicant" means a community college established and operating under the authority of the Public Community College Act; a non-profit entity in partnership with a regional superintendent of schools; the chief administrator of an intermediate service center that has the authority, under rules adopted by the State Board of Education, to issue a high school diploma; or a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code. In order to be an eligible applicant, an entity under this definition, other than a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code, must provide evidence or other documentation that it is or has been unable to establish an agreement with a secondary or unit school district in which the eligible applicant is located to provide a program in which students who successfully complete the program can receive a high school diploma from their school district of residence.
    "Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board.
    "High school diploma program for adult learners" means a program approved to operate under this Section that provides a program of alternative study to adult learners leading to the issuance of a high school diploma.
    (b) An eligible applicant is authorized to design a high school diploma program for adult learners, to be approved by the Board prior to implementation. A non-profit eligible applicant shall operate this program only within the jurisdictional authority of the regional superintendent of schools, the chief administrator of an intermediate service center, or a school district organized Article 34 of this Code with whom the non-profit eligible applicant has entered into a partnership. An approved program shall include, without limitation, all of the following:
        (1) An administrative structure, program activities,
    
program staff, a budget, and a specific curriculum that is consistent with Illinois Learning Standards, as well as Illinois content standards for adults, but may be different from a regular school program in terms of location, length of school day, program sequence, multidisciplinary courses, pace, instructional activities, or any combination of these.
        (2) Issuance of a high school diploma only if an
    
adult learner meets all minimum requirements under this Code and its implementing rules for receipt of a high school diploma.
        (3) Specific academic, behavioral, and emotional
    
support services to be offered to adult learners enrolled in the program.
        (4) Career and technical education courses that lead
    
to industry certifications in high growth and in-demand industry sectors or dual credit courses from a regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution consistent with the Dual Credit Quality Act. The program may include partnering with a community college district to provide career and technical education courses that lead to industry certifications.
        (5) Specific program outcomes and goals and metrics
    
to be used by the program to determine success.
        (6) The requirement that all instructional staff must
    
hold an educator license valid for the high school grades issued under Article 21B of this Code.
        (7) Any other requirements adopted by rule by the
    
Board.
    (c) Eligible applicants shall apply for approval of a high school diploma program for adult learners to the Board on forms prescribed by the Board.
        (1) Initial approval shall be for a period not to
    
exceed 2 school years.
        (2) Renewal of approval shall be for a period not to
    
exceed 4 school years and shall be contingent upon at least specific documented outcomes of student progression, graduation rates, and earning of industry-recognized credentials.
        (3) Program approval may be given only if the
    
Executive Director determines that the eligible applicant has provided assurance through evidence of other documentation that it will meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section and any rules adopted by the Board. The Board shall make public any evaluation criteria it uses in making a determination of program approval or denial.
        (4) Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the
    
contrary, a non-profit eligible applicant shall provide the following to the Board:
            (A) documentation that the non-profit entity will
        
fulfill the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section;
            (B) evidence that the non-profit entity has the
        
capacity to fulfill the requirements of this Section;
            (C) a description of the coordination and
        
oversight that the eligible entity will provide in the administration of the program by the non-profit entity;
            (D) evidence that the non-profit entity has a
        
history of providing services to adults 18 years of age or older whose educational and training opportunities have been limited by educational disadvantages, disabilities, and challenges.
        (5) If an eligible applicant that has been approved
    
fails to meet any of the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section and any rules adopted by the Board, the Executive Director shall immediately initiate a process to revoke the eligible applicant's approval to provide the program, pursuant to rules adopted by the Board.
    (d) The Board may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-514, eff. 9-22-17; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.14

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.14) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.14)
    Sec. 3-15.14. Cooperative Educational and Operational Programs. To administer and direct a cooperative or joint educational or operational program or project when 2 or more districts request and authorize him or her to provide and administer these services. Each regional superintendent of schools is encouraged to offer school districts the opportunity to share in joint educational or operational programs and to urge school districts to participate in such programs when the school district determines that such participation is fiscally prudent. The regional superintendent of schools may provide and contract for the staff, space, necessary materials, supplies, books and apparatus for such agreements. The school boards of the respective districts shall pay to the regional superintendent the pro rata share of the expenses of the operation of such programs, and the regional superintendent shall use such funds in payment of such operational expenses. The regional superintendent shall collect and remit the required pension contributions from the participating districts if the board of control of the program participates in Article 7 of the Illinois Pension Code.
    A board of control composed of one member from each cooperating district and one member from the office of the regional superintendent will set policy for the cooperative. The agreement establishing the cooperative may provide that the cooperative shall act as its own administrative district and shall be an entity separate and apart from the Educational Service Region.
    Each regional superintendent that is the administrator of a joint agreement shall cause an annual financial statement to be submitted on forms prescribed by the State Board of Education exhibiting the financial condition of the program established pursuant to the joint agreement for the fiscal year ending on the immediately preceding June 30.
    The regional superintendent may also administer, direct and account for educational programs of single or multi-county educational service region, or of multi-regional design which are sponsored and financed by State or federal educational agencies, or by both such agencies. In cases where funding for any such approved program is delayed, the regional superintendent may borrow the funds required to begin operation of the program in accordance with the terms of the grant; and the principal amount so borrowed, together with the interest due thereon, shall be paid from the grant moneys when received.
(Source: P.A. 97-357, eff. 1-1-12.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.14a

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.14a)
    Sec. 3-15.14a. Shared services. The regional superintendent of schools may, at the request of a school district, present to the school district possible services and functions that multiple schools may share or consolidate. Such services and functions may include, but are not limited to, bidding and purchasing, office functions such as payroll and accounting, information technology, professional development, grant writing, food service management, or administrative positions. Regional superintendents of schools may share best financial practices with school districts that are exploring new methods to become more financially efficient.
(Source: P.A. 97-357, eff. 1-1-12.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.15

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.15) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-15.15)
    Sec. 3-15.15. Local education agency. To apply as a local education agency for any grant, loan, program authorization or other assistance provided to local education agencies by the State Board of Education.
(Source: P.A. 87-1124; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.16

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.16)
    Sec. 3-15.16. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 88-670, eff. 12-2-94. Repealed by P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09.)

105 ILCS 5/3-15.17

    (105 ILCS 5/3-15.17)
    Sec. 3-15.17. Civic education advancement.
    (a) The General Assembly finds that civic education and participation are fundamental elements of a healthy democracy, and schools are in need of support to identify civic learning opportunities and to implement new strategies to prepare and sustain high quality citizenship among their student body.
    (b) Subject to appropriation, funding for civic education professional development for high school teachers must be provided by line item appropriation made to the State Board of Education for that purpose. When appropriated, the State Board of Education must provide this funding to each regional superintendent of schools based on high school enrollment as reported on the State Board of Education's most recent fall enrollment and housing report, except that 20% of each annual appropriation must be reserved for a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code.
    (c) In order to establish eligibility for one or more of its schools to receive funding under this Section, a school district shall submit to its regional superintendent of schools an application, accompanied by a completed civic audit, for each school. A regional superintendent shall award funds to a district based on the number of teachers identified by the district to receive professional development multiplied by $250. A district must not be awarded more than $3,000 in any year, unless additional funds remain available after all eligible applicants have received funding. A district may not use funds authorized under this Section in any school more than once every 2 years. Funds provided under this Section must be used exclusively for professional development provided by entities that are approved providers for purposes of license renewal under Section 21B-45 of this Code.
    (d) The civic audit form and its content must be designed and updated as deemed necessary by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition. Data from completed civic audits must be processed by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition. The civic audit must be made available by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition and must be designed to provide teachers and principals with a blueprint to better understand how current curriculum, service learning, and extracurricular activities are providing civic learning experiences for their students.
(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

105 ILCS 5/3-16

    (105 ILCS 5/3-16)
    Sec. 3-16. Grants to alternative schools, safe schools, and alternative learning opportunities programs. The State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall award grants to alternative schools, safe schools, and alternative learning opportunities programs operated by a regional office of education. For fiscal year 2018, to calculate grant amounts to the programs operated by regional offices of education, the State Board shall calculate an amount equal to the greater of the regional program's best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2016-2017 school year or the average of the best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2014-2015 school year through the 2016-2017 school year, multiplied by the amount of $6,119. For fiscal year 2019, to calculate grant amounts to the programs operated by regional offices of education, the State Board shall calculate an amount equal to the greater of the regional program's best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2017-2018 school year or the average of the best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2015-2016 school year through the 2017-2018 school year, multiplied by the amount of $6,119. These amounts shall be termed the "Regional Program Increased Enrollment Recognition". If the amount of the Regional Program Increased Enrollment Recognition is greater than the amount of the regional office of education program's Base Funding Minimum for fiscal year 2018 or fiscal year 2019, calculated under Section 18-8.15, then the State Board of Education shall pay the regional program a grant equal to the difference between the regional program's Regional Program Increased Enrollment Recognition and the Base Funding Minimum for fiscal year 2018 or fiscal year 2019, respectively. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter any payments or calculations under Section 18-8.15.
(Source: P.A. 100-587, eff. 6-4-18; 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)

105 ILCS 5/Art. 3A

 
    (105 ILCS 5/Art. 3A heading)
ARTICLE 3A. EDUCATIONAL SERVICE REGIONS