Section 755.2  Definitions

Definitions for this Part can be found at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 751.

(Source:  Added at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.5  Determination of Capacity

Annually, each Superintendent shall determine the School's ability to serve additional students based on the number of students currently enrolled in each division of the School, the availability of funds, classroom and dormitory space, programs and staffing.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.10  Eligibility for Specialized Services

Individuals may be eligible for specialized services offered by the Schools at ages younger than those specified for enrollment in each respective School, when it is determined those services are appropriate to the needs of younger children.  Inquiries regarding eligibility are made directly to each School.  These specialized services may include, but are not limited to:

a)         Preschool institutes and educational programs.

b)         Training programs for parents and/or preschoolers.

c)         Assessment and evaluation programs.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.15  Residential Placement

The process of determining whether residential placement for educational purposes is necessary shall be made on an individual basis.  Placement shall be based on recent diagnostic assessments and other pertinent information indicating that the applicant is so severely disabled that his or her educational needs cannot be met by the Local Education Agency (LEA) or that the applicant needs additional opportunities for acquiring communication, social and other basic living skills that are not available at the local level.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.20  Application for Admission

a)         Application for admission can be made at any time.

b)         A pre-application visit to the School by the parents and the student is required.

c)         The School Superintendent shall furnish the local school district and the parents with admission forms required by the Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS).

d)         DHS-DRS recommends the local school district coordinate the collection, completion and submission of all application information, including that required of the parents.  In some instances (e.g., a request from the local school district), a staff person from the appropriate School may assist in obtaining the required information.  All applications for admission to one of the Schools shall be signed by the child's parents.

e)         When an inquiry regarding the admission of a student is received from sources other than a local school district, the Superintendent shall send a letter regarding the inquiry to the local school district within 10 working days. A copy of the notification shall be sent to the persons  originating the inquiry and the parent.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.22  Wards of the Department of Children and Family Services

If a student is a ward of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Director of DCFS shall designate a staff member to act on behalf of the student with the appropriate local school district when applying for admission to the Schools and for all other programs.  DHS-DRS shall cooperate with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and DCFS in the provision of placement, supervision and foster care of children with disabilities who must leave their LEA in order to attend Schools offering programs in special education.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.25  The Application Process

a)         Application to a School can be made in one of the following ways:

1)         by the local school district; or

2)         in the case of the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) or the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI), if a parent disagrees with the placement option of the district after the Eligibility Review (ER) and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are completed, the parent may apply directly to ISD or ISVI; however, placement of school district referrals shall be given priority over placement of these applicants.  ISD or ISVI shall notify in writing or by telephone the local school district within 15 days after receipt of an application from a parent.  If resources (classroom and dormitory availability, staff to student ratio and commodities) are sufficient, applications by parents shall be considered for admission.

b)         The following shall be submitted to the School at the time of application:

1)         Admission forms provided by the School, completed in their entirety.

2)         A copy of the student's most recent ER and IEP developed by the local school district or a copy of the Hearing Officer's decision from an appeal pursuant to 89 Ill. Adm. Code 828.

3)         A letter from the education official of the local school district formally referring the student for educational placement.  If the provisions in subsection (a)(2) apply, a letter shall not be required from the local school district;  however, a letter from the parent formally requesting admission to the School is required.

4)         The student's medical history, including a current detailed immunization record, and family history of hearing loss, visual impairment, congenital, physical and health problems, and any motor, speech or self-care limitations the student may have.

5)         Appropriate medical examinations:

A)        Either a current general physical examination or a Certificate of Child Health Examination (Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) form 001.2) completed within one year prior to application.

B)        Applicants to ISD must submit an otological or an audiological examination report that demonstrates a severe to profound hearing loss for which the student requires a variety of academic and related service interventions.

C)        Applicants to the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt (ICRE-R) must submit a medical examination report from the University of Illinois, Division of Specialized Care for Children or medical documentation of disability from a licensed physician.  All documentation must show that the applicant has a severe to profound disability for which the student requires a variety of academic and related service interventions.

D)        Applicants to ISVI must submit an ophthalmological or optometric examination report that shows a severe to profound visual loss for which the student requires a variety of academic and related service interventions.

E)        All students six years of age or younger must submit a lead blood level screening report prior to admission as required by DPH (77 Ill. Adm. Code 665.140(f)).

F)         All applicants to ISD and ICRE-R must submit a vision screening exam reqired by the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-8.1(1.10)].

6)         Other educational, medical and social reports and documents as may be necessary or required by law for the application process (e.g., guardianship papers, birth certificate).

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.27  The Admissions Process

a)         When the information required by Section 755.25 has been received, the School may request the following to determine a student's eligibility for admission:

1)         if additional documentation is needed, the parents shall be requested to sign a release of information for the purpose of obtaining the additional documentation;

2)         if additional documentation is not available, the School may require additional evaluations from the LEA and/or parent to determine if the School is the appropriate placement for the student.

b)         When all of the necessary information required for admission has been received, the Superintendent's designee shall convene a meeting to determine eligibility. The meeting shall include representatives of LEA staff, School educational and dormitory representatives, medical personnel, the parents, the student and any other individual deemed necessary by the Superintendent.  The purpose of this meeting shall be to review all of the required application information and:

1)         make a request for additional information, if deemed necessary; or

2)         recommend to the Superintendent that the student be granted admission; or

3)         recommend to the Superintendent that the student attend school on an evaluation basis; or

4)         recommend to the Superintendent that the student be denied admission.

c)         An evaluation shall be used when, after receipt of all necessary information, there remains a question as to whether the School is an appropriate setting for the student.  An evaluation shall be used for up to one semester.  If, at the end of the evaluation, it remains unclear as to the appropriateness of the School for the student, a second evaluation may be granted for up to an additional semester.  The anticipated time frame of the evaluation will be established by the School, parents, local school district and student prior to beginning the evaluation. The evaluation is not an admission to the School.  The results of the evaluation shall determine admission.  At the conclusion of the evaluation, the School, parents, student and local school district shall discuss whether admission to the School is appropriate.

d)         The superintendent shall send written notification within 15 working days following the meeting.  Notification shall be sent to the parent and the local school district regarding the outcome of the application for admission.  For students who are accepted, the letter shall contain such information as the date of planned admission and any special considerations or expectations. This letter may also include the information regarding an evaluation.  Students who are accepted will be enrolled as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of the next semester, provided space is available. For students denied admission, the Superintendent shall furnish to the applicant's parents, the local school district, and ISBE a written statement detailing the reasons for the denial, including, but not limited to, the types of related aids and services the child needs and the reasons the School cannot provide those aids and services.  The statement shall also notify the parents  of their right to appeal this decision to the Superintendent.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.30  Admission of Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

a)         The Superintendent of ISD shall admit students between the ages of three and 22 whose primary disability is deafness or hard of hearing, if space is available, when it has been determined through an application and evaluation process that ISD can provide an appropriate program and the student is an Illinois resident who can meet the following criteria:

1)         has been diagnosed by a qualified otologist licensed pursuant to the Medical Practice Act of 1987 [225 ILCS 60], or

2)         has been diagnosed, by a qualified audiologist licensed pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act of 1987 [225 ILCS 110], as being deaf or hard of hearing, including those with secondary disabilities listed in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 765.10(d).

b)         Students whose 22^nd birthday occurs during a regular school term may continue to receive services until the end of that school year.

c)         The Superintendent may make both outreach and center-based services available to infants who are deaf and hard of hearing between the ages of birth to three.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11303, effective August 29, 2025)

Section 755.40  Admission of Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

a)         The Superintendent of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) shall admit students whose primary disability is blindness or visual impairment between the ages of three and 22, if space is available, when it has been determined through an application and evaluation process that ISVI can provide an appropriate program, and the student is an Illinois resident who can meet the following criteria:

1)         has been diagnosed by an ophthalmologist licensed pursuant to the Medical Practice Act of 1989 [225 ILCS 60], or

2)         has been diagnosed by an optometrist licensed pursuant to the Illinois Optometric Practice Act [225 ILCS 80] as blind or visually impaired including those with secondary disabilities, listed in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 765.10(d).

b)         Students whose 22^nd birthday occurs during a regular school term may continue to receive services until the end of that school year.

c)         The Superintendent may make both outreach and center-based services available to infants with visual impairments between the ages of birth and five.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11303, effective August 29, 2025)

Section 755.50  Admission of Students with Severe Physical Disabilities

a)         The Superintendent of ICRE-R shall admit students with severe physical disabilities if space is available.  These students shall have been diagnosed, by a physician licensed pursuant to the Medical Practice Act of 1989 [225 ILCS 60], as severely disabled by cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida, or as having other severe physical disabilities, e.g., traumatic brain injury or a progressive neurological disorder, including those with secondary disabilities listed in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 765.10(d). The child must be 14½ through 22, inclusive and must reside in Illinois.  Students whose 22^nd birthday occurs during a regular school term may continue to receive services until the end of that school year.  It shall have been determined through an application and evaluation process that ICRE-R can provide an appropriate transition-based program.  Younger students may be accepted at ICRE-R if it has been determined they can benefit from the ICRE-R program.

b)         Students who have completed academic requirements at their local high school but are in need of further IEP-related transition services (such as independent living and daily living skills, medical management, orientation and mobility, personal assistant management, etc.) may apply for admission to ICRE-R's transition program.  Students found eligible for the transition program may remain at ICRE-R until they are 22 years old.  Students whose 22^nd birthday occurs during a regular school term may continue to receive services until the end of that school year.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11303, effective August 29, 2025)

Section 755.60  Admissions Review Committee (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.70  Meetings of the Admissions Review Committee (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.80  Representatives to be Present (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.90  Outcome of Application for Admission (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.100  Development of the IEP

a)         There shall be an IEP meeting at the time of or following admission of the student for the purpose of reviewing and/or revising the IEP.  An IEP team, whose members shall include the parents, and appropriate diagnostic, educational and local school district staff shall be invited to attend.  At ICRE-R, the transition service part of the plan will be developed with related services staff, parents and local school district staff invited to attend.

b)         When the representative of the local school district who has the authority for obligation of funds, or the parent, is unable to attend the meeting in person, the School shall make every effort to obtain their participation in the process by telephone.  If the local school district is not present and if a commitment of funds from the local school district is required, the IEP meeting shall be recessed until the district's commitment is obtained.

c)         A general education educator from the local school district shall participate in the IEP meeting.

d)         A team member may be excused from attendance when the LEA, parent and School agree, in writing, that the member's attendance is not necessary.

e)         The School official, parents and local School district shall sign the completed IEP.

1)         When a student is self referred to ISD or ISVI (see Section 755.25(a)(2)), the local school district's signature shall be requested on the IEP, but is not required.

2)         The signature of other participants at the IEP meeting shall be requested on the IEP, but are not required.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 17109, effective October 8, 2013)

Section 755.110  Wards of the Department of Children and Family Services (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.120  Components of an Application (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.130  Submission of Applications  (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.140  Admissions Review Committee (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.150  Meetings of the Admissions Review Committee (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.160  Representatives to be Present (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.170  Outcome of Application for Admission (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.180  Multidisciplinary Staffing (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.190  Parent Participation in (IEP) (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.200  IEP Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 18243, effective December 10, 1991)

Section 755.210  Diagnostic Period (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 12 Ill. Reg. 13971, effective August 19, 1988)

Section 755.220  Outcome of the Evaluation (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 12 Ill. Reg. 13971, effective August 19, 1988)

Section 755.230  Discharge (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.240  Case Study Evaluation to Determine Whether a Student is Inappropriately Placed (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.250  Interim Services (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)

Section 755.260  Suspensions, Changes in Placements, and Discharges of Students who are Dangerous to Themselves or Others (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 23 Ill. Reg. 10146, effective August 10, 1999)