103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4729
 
Introduced 2/6/2024, by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/21B-5
    Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning licensure of educators.


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A BILL FOR
 
HB4729LRB103 38818 RJT 68955 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section 
521B-5 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-5)
7    Sec. 21B-5. Licensure powers of the State Board of 
8Education. 
9    (a) Recognizing that that the education of our citizens is 
10the single most important influence on the prosperity and 
11success of this State and recognizing that new developments in 
12education require a flexible approach to our educational 
13system, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the 
14State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the 
15power and authority to do all of the following:
16        (1) Set standards for teaching, supervising, or 
17    otherwise holding licensed employment in the public 
18    schools of this State and administer the licensure process 
19    as provided in this Article.
20        (2) Approve, evaluate, and sanction educator 
21    preparation programs.
22        (3) Enter into agreements with other states relative 
23    to reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs.
 
 
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1        (4) Establish standards for the issuance of new types 
2    of educator licenses.
3        (5) Establish a code of ethics for all educators.
4        (6) Maintain a system of licensure examination aligned 
5    with standards determined by the State Board of Education.
6        (7) Take such other action relating to the improvement 
7    of instruction in the public schools as is appropriate and 
8    consistent with applicable laws.
9    (b) Only the State Board of Education, acting in 
10accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article and 
11rules, shall have the authority to issue or endorse any 
12license required for teaching, supervising, or otherwise 
13holding licensed employment in the public schools; and no 
14other State agency shall have any power or authority (i) to 
15establish or prescribe any qualifications or other 
16requirements applicable to the issuance or endorsement of any 
17such license or (ii) to establish or prescribe any licensure 
18or equivalent requirement that must be satisfied in order to 
19teach, supervise, or hold licensed employment in the public 
20schools.
21(Source: P.A. 100-596, eff. 7-1-18.)