HB1106 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 04494 LNS 14521 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB1106

Introduced 1/9/2025, by Rep. Jed Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Local Advisory Committees on Special Education Act. Allows each school district or regional cooperative program providing special education services to establish and appoint a local advisory committee on special education if a local advisory committee is requested by more than 3 parents or guardians of the students receiving the services. Establishes the membership and responsibilities of a local advisory committee and the duties of the school district or regional cooperative program. Provides that members of a local advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local Advisory Committees on Special Education Act.

Section 5. Establishment of local advisory committees.

(a) Each school district or regional cooperative program providing special education services in this State shall establish and appoint a local advisory committee on special education if a local advisory committee is requested by more than 3 parents or guardians of the students receiving the services, with each student counting as one parent or guardian.

(b) The school board or governing body of the regional cooperative program shall review and approve the bylaws governing the operations of a local advisory committee.

Section 10. Membership.

(a) Each local advisory committee shall consist of individuals involved in or concerned with the education of students with disabilities.

(1) Parents or guardians of students with disabilities shall constitute a majority of a local advisory committee's membership.

(2) At least 50% of the majority shall be selected directly by the parents or guardians of students with disabilities.

(b) Local advisory committee membership shall include at least one individual with a disability, a public school administrator, a special education teacher, and other community members as determined by the local advisory committee and the school board.

(c) For a local advisory committee in a regional cooperative program, membership shall reflect an equitable distribution of representatives from each participating school district.

Section 15. Responsibilities of a local advisory committee. A local advisory committee shall:

(1) provide recommendations to the school district or regional cooperative program concerning the unmet needs of students with disabilities;

(2) review and comment on school improvement plans, including those addressing compliance and corrective actions under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and State special education laws;

(3) monitor and advise on the school district's compliance with State and federal laws related to the education of students with disabilities;

(4) provide input on applications for State and federal funding for special education programs; and

(5) serve as a liaison and advocate for parents or guardians of students with disabilities, ensuring the students receive services and support to which the students are entitled to under State and federal law.

Section 20. Duties of the school district or regional cooperative program.

(a) The school district or regional cooperative program shall provide logistical and technical support to a local advisory committee, including access to training on a local advisory committee's roles, State and federal regulations, and strategic planning. Support may be provided by contracting with parent training and information centers, advocacy organizations, or other community-based nonprofit groups.

(b) The school district or regional cooperative program shall provide a local advisory committee with access to appropriate records and data, subject to confidentiality laws. Improvement plans and compliance reports shall be made available to a local advisory committee for review and comment.

(c) The parents or guardians of children referred for or receiving special education services shall be notified of the existence and purpose of a local advisory committee. This notification shall include:

(1) a statement indicating that the local advisory committee's majority membership is comprised of parents or guardians of students with disabilities; and

(2) contact information for the chairperson of the local advisory committee.

If a child is referred for special education services or an individualized education program is initiated, the school district or regional cooperative program shall notify the parents or guardian about a local advisory committee. The notification must include the local advisory committee's role and provide information on how the parents or guardian may contact the local advisory committee's chairperson.

Section 25. Conduct of meetings.

(a) A local advisory committee shall meet at least 4 times annually and as often as necessary to conduct its business.

(b) All meetings of a local advisory committee shall be publicly announced and open to the public. The meeting agenda shall be in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

(c) The official minutes of all meetings of a local advisory committee shall be maintained and made available for public review.

Section 30. Membership compensation. Members of a local advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, subject to school district policies and available funding.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2026.