103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3634

 

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Sen. Sally J. Turner

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/21B-20
105 ILCS 5/21B-40

    Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning Substitute Teaching Licenses, requires an applicant who is enrolled in an approved educator preparation program to have either earned at least 75 credit hours or completed 3 semesters in an educator preparation program (rather than requiring the applicant to have earned at least 90 credit hours). Provides that a school district may not require an individual who retired within the last 5 years while holding a valid Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher if substitute teaching for no more than one year. Provides that a retired educator may not be charged an application fee for a Substitute Teaching License if certain conditions are met.


LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB3634LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 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 Sections
521B-20 and 21B-40 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
7    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-193)
8    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
9Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
10whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
11required to be licensed must have one of the following
12licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an
13educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute
14teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2028, a short-term
15substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
16individuals certified or certificated or required to be
17certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
18also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
19under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
2030 following one full year of the license being issued.
21    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
22State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
23rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for

 

 

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1licenses and endorsements under this Section.
2        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
3    have successfully completed an approved educator
4    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
5    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
6    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
7    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
8    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
9    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
10    the exceptional child, including, without limitation,
11    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
12    successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
13    and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
14    criteria established by rule of the State Board of
15    Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
16    All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
17    immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
18    The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
19    specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
20    eligible to practice. For an early childhood education
21    endorsement, an individual may satisfy the student
22    teaching requirement of his or her early childhood teacher
23    preparation program through placement in a setting with
24    children from birth through grade 2, and the individual
25    may be paid and receive credit while student teaching. The
26    student teaching experience must meet the requirements of

 

 

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1    and be approved by the individual's early childhood
2    teacher preparation program.
3        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
4    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
5    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
6    in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable
7    content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.
8        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
9    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
10    that limits the license holder to one particular position
11    or does not require completion of an approved educator
12    program or both.
13        An individual with an Educator License with
14    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
15    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
16    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
17        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
18    with the following endorsements:
19            (A) (Blank).
20            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
21        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
22        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
23        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
24        endorsement, has done all of the following:
25                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
26            college or university with a minimum of a

 

 

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1            bachelor's degree.
2                (ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
3            the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
4            Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
5            Code.
6                (iii) Passed a content area test, as required
7            under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
8        The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
9    valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a
10    third year by an individual meeting the requirements set
11    forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
12            (C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
13        alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
14        an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
15        holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
16        superintendent in a school district's central office.
17        This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
18        who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
19        done all of the following:
20                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
21            college or university with a minimum of a master's
22            degree in a management field other than education.
23                (ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
24            years in a management level position in a field
25            other than education.
26                (iii) Successfully completed the first phase

 

 

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1            of an alternative route to superintendent
2            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
3            of this Code.
4                (iv) Passed a content area test required under
5            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
6            The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in
7        order to complete one full year of serving as a
8        superintendent or assistant superintendent.
9            (D) (Blank).
10            (E) Career and technical educator. A career and
11        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
12        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
13        has a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
14        regionally accredited institution of higher education
15        or an accredited trade and technical institution and
16        has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
17        education in each area to be taught.
18            The career and technical educator endorsement on
19        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
20        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
21        endorsement being issued and may be renewed.
22            An individual who holds a valid career and
23        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
24        with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's
25        degree may substitute teach in career and technical
26        education classrooms.

 

 

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1            (F) (Blank).
2            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
3        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
4        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
5        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
6        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
7        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets
8        all of the following requirements:
9                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
10            writing ability in the language other than English
11            in which transitional bilingual education is
12            offered.
13                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
14            communicate in English.
15                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
16            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
17            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
18            comparable teaching certificate or comparable
19            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
20            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
21            a foreign country that the State Educator
22            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
23            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
24            regionally accredited institution of higher
25            learning in the United States.
26            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement

 

 

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1        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12,
2        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years
3        of the endorsement being issued, and shall not be
4        renewed.
5            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
6        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
7        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
8        replaced for any reason.
9            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
10        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
11        other than English in the public schools, an
12        individual who holds an Educator License with
13        Stipulations may also apply for a language
14        endorsement, provided that the applicant provides
15        satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the
16        following requirements:
17                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
18            endorsement.
19                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
20            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
21            by passing the applicable language content test
22            required by the State Board of Education.
23                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
24            a regionally accredited institution of higher
25            education or, for individuals educated in a
26            country other than the United States, holds a

 

 

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1            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
2            foreign country that the State Educator
3            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
4            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
5            regionally accredited institution of higher
6            learning in the United States.
7                (iv) (Blank).
8            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
9        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
10        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
11        individual's transitional bilingual educator
12        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
13        and shall not be renewed.
14            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
15        international educator endorsement on an Educator
16        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
17        individual who is being recruited by a particular
18        school district that conducts formal recruitment
19        programs outside of the United States to secure the
20        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of
21        the following requirements:
22                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
23            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
24                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
25            grade level for which he or she will be employed.
26                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the

 

 

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1            subject to be taught.
2                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
3            language.
4            A holder of a visiting international educator
5        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
6        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
7        programs in the language that was the medium of
8        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
9        provided that he or she passes the English Language
10        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
11        skills in English identified by the State Board of
12        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
13        Preparation and Licensure Board.
14            A visiting international educator endorsement on
15        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 5
16        years and shall not be renewed.
17            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
18        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
19        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
20        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
21        (i) holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
22        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
23        institution of higher education; (ii) has passed a
24        paraprofessional competency test under subsection
25        (c-5) of Section 21B-30; or (iii) is at least 18 years
26        of age and will be using the Educator License with

 

 

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1        Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten
2        through grade 8, until the individual reaches the age
3        of 19 years and otherwise meets the criteria for a
4        paraprofessional educator endorsement pursuant to this
5        subparagraph (J). The paraprofessional educator
6        endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
7        following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and
8        may be renewed through application and payment of the
9        appropriate fee, as required under Section 21B-40 of
10        this Code. An individual who holds only a
11        paraprofessional educator endorsement is not subject
12        to additional requirements in order to renew the
13        endorsement.
14            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
15        business official endorsement on an Educator License
16        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
17        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
18        years of full-time administrative experience in school
19        business management or 2 years of university-approved
20        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
21        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
22        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
23        business administrators and by passage of the
24        applicable State tests, including an applicable
25        content area test.
26            The chief school business official endorsement may

 

 

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1        also be affixed to the Educator License with
2        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
3        master's degree in business administration, finance,
4        accounting, or public administration and who completes
5        an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
6        business management from a regionally accredited
7        institution of higher education and passes the
8        applicable State tests, including an applicable
9        content area test. This endorsement shall be required
10        for any individual employed as a chief school business
11        official.
12            The chief school business official endorsement on
13        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
14        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
15        endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
16        license holder completes renewal requirements as
17        required for individuals who hold a Professional
18        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
19        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
20        rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
21        Education.
22            The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
23        necessary to implement Public Act 100-288.
24            (L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
25        in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License
26        with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has

 

 

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1        completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
2        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
3        and who has not successfully completed an
4        evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
5        who meets all of the following requirements:
6                (i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
7                (ii) Has completed an approved educator
8            preparation program at an Illinois institution.
9                (iii) Has passed an applicable content area
10            test, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
11                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
12            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
13            minimum score on that assessment, as established
14            by the State Board of Education in consultation
15            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
16            Board.
17            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
18        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
19        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
20        be renewed.
21            (M) (Blank).
22            (N) Specialized services. A specialized services
23        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
24        may be issued as defined and specified by rule.
25        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
26    License may be issued to qualified applicants for

 

 

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1    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
2    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
3    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
4    a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's
5    degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
6    of higher education or must be enrolled in an approved
7    educator preparation program in this State and have either
8    earned at least 75 90 credit hours or completed 3
9    semesters in an educator preparation program.
10        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
11        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
12    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
13    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
14    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked,
15    then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
16    Substitute Teaching License.
17        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
18    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
19    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
20    contract because of an emergency situation, then a
21    district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer
22    than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the
23    district if the district notifies the appropriate regional
24    office of education within 5 business days after the
25    employment of the substitute teacher in the emergency
26    situation. An emergency situation is one in which an

 

 

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1    unforeseen vacancy has occurred and (i) a teacher is
2    unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii)
3    teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous
4    indications, and the district is actively engaged in
5    advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the
6    vacant position.
7        There is no limit on the number of days that a
8    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
9    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
10    than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
11    through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school
12    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
13    same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a
14    Professional Educator License or Educator License with
15    Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days
16    for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same
17    school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the
18    number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not
19    apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of
20    this Code.
21        A school district may not require an individual who
22    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
23    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
24    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher. A
25    school district may not require an individual who retired
26    within the last 5 years while holding a valid Professional

 

 

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1    Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations to
2    seek or hold a Substitute Teaching License to teach as a
3    substitute teacher if substitute teaching for no more than
4    one year.
5        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
6    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2028, applicants may
7    apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a
8    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. A Short-Term
9    Substitute Teaching License may be issued to a qualified
10    applicant for substitute teaching in all grades of the
11    public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
12    Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not eligible
13    for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term Substitute
14    Teaching License must hold an associate's degree or have
15    completed at least 60 credit hours from a regionally
16    accredited institution of higher education.
17        Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
18    substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
19    individual has had his or her Professional Educator
20    License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
21    revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
22    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
23        The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
24    Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
25        An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
26    License may teach no more than 15 consecutive days per

 

 

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1    licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
2    absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who
3    is under contract, a school district may not hire an
4    individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
5    License, unless the Governor has declared a disaster due
6    to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
7    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual
8    holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must
9    complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or
10    34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public
11    school. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses Short-term
12    substitute teaching licenses under this Section are valid
13    for 5 years.
14(Source: P.A. 102-711, eff. 1-1-23; 102-712, eff. 4-27-22;
15102-713, eff. 1-1-23; 102-717, eff. 4-29-22; 102-894, eff.
165-20-22; 103-111, eff. 6-29-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; revised
179-7-23.)
 
18    (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-193)
19    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
20Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
21whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
22required to be licensed must have one of the following
23licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an
24educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute
25teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2028, a short-term

 

 

SB3634- 17 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
2individuals certified or certificated or required to be
3certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
4also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
5under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
630 following one full year of the license being issued.
7    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
8State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
9rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
10licenses and endorsements under this Section.
11        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
12    have successfully completed an approved educator
13    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
14    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
15    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
16    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
17    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
18    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
19    the exceptional child, including, without limitation,
20    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
21    successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
22    and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
23    criteria established by rule of the State Board of
24    Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
25    All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
26    immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.

 

 

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1    The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
2    specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
3    eligible to practice. For an early childhood education
4    endorsement, an individual may satisfy the student
5    teaching requirement of his or her early childhood teacher
6    preparation program through placement in a setting with
7    children from birth through grade 2, and the individual
8    may be paid and receive credit while student teaching. The
9    student teaching experience must meet the requirements of
10    and be approved by the individual's early childhood
11    teacher preparation program.
12        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
13    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
14    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
15    in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable
16    content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.
17        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
18    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
19    that limits the license holder to one particular position
20    or does not require completion of an approved educator
21    program or both.
22        An individual with an Educator License with
23    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
24    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
25    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
26        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued

 

 

SB3634- 19 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    with the following endorsements:
2            (A) (Blank).
3            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
4        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
5        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
6        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
7        endorsement, has done all of the following:
8                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
9            college or university with a minimum of a
10            bachelor's degree.
11                (ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
12            the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
13            Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
14            Code.
15                (iii) Passed a content area test, as required
16            under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
17        The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
18    valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a
19    third year by an individual meeting the requirements set
20    forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
21            (C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
22        alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
23        an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
24        holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
25        superintendent in a school district's central office.
26        This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant

 

 

SB3634- 20 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1        who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
2        done all of the following:
3                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
4            college or university with a minimum of a master's
5            degree in a management field other than education.
6                (ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
7            years in a management level position in a field
8            other than education.
9                (iii) Successfully completed the first phase
10            of an alternative route to superintendent
11            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
12            of this Code.
13                (iv) Passed a content area test required under
14            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
15            The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in
16        order to complete one full year of serving as a
17        superintendent or assistant superintendent.
18            (D) (Blank).
19            (E) Career and technical educator. A career and
20        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
21        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
22        has a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
23        regionally accredited institution of higher education
24        or an accredited trade and technical institution and
25        has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
26        education in each area to be taught.

 

 

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1            The career and technical educator endorsement on
2        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
3        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
4        endorsement being issued and may be renewed.
5            An individual who holds a valid career and
6        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
7        with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's
8        degree may substitute teach in career and technical
9        education classrooms.
10            (F) (Blank).
11            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
12        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
13        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
14        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
15        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
16        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets
17        all of the following requirements:
18                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
19            writing ability in the language other than English
20            in which transitional bilingual education is
21            offered.
22                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
23            communicate in English.
24                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
25            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
26            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and

 

 

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1            comparable teaching certificate or comparable
2            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
3            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
4            a foreign country that the State Educator
5            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
6            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
7            regionally accredited institution of higher
8            learning in the United States.
9            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
10        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12,
11        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years
12        of the endorsement being issued, and shall not be
13        renewed.
14            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
15        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
16        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
17        replaced for any reason.
18            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
19        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
20        other than English in the public schools, an
21        individual who holds an Educator License with
22        Stipulations may also apply for a language
23        endorsement, provided that the applicant provides
24        satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the
25        following requirements:
26                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual

 

 

SB3634- 23 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1            endorsement.
2                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
3            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
4            by passing the applicable language content test
5            required by the State Board of Education.
6                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
7            a regionally accredited institution of higher
8            education or, for individuals educated in a
9            country other than the United States, holds a
10            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
11            foreign country that the State Educator
12            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
13            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
14            regionally accredited institution of higher
15            learning in the United States.
16                (iv) (Blank).
17            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
18        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
19        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
20        individual's transitional bilingual educator
21        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
22        and shall not be renewed.
23            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
24        international educator endorsement on an Educator
25        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
26        individual who is being recruited by a particular

 

 

SB3634- 24 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1        school district that conducts formal recruitment
2        programs outside of the United States to secure the
3        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of
4        the following requirements:
5                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
6            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
7                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
8            grade level for which he or she will be employed.
9                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
10            subject to be taught.
11                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
12            language.
13            A holder of a visiting international educator
14        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
15        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
16        programs in the language that was the medium of
17        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
18        provided that he or she passes the English Language
19        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
20        skills in English identified by the State Board of
21        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
22        Preparation and Licensure Board.
23            A visiting international educator endorsement on
24        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 5
25        years and shall not be renewed.
26            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional

 

 

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1        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
2        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
3        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
4        (i) holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
5        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
6        institution of higher education; (ii) has passed a
7        paraprofessional competency test under subsection
8        (c-5) of Section 21B-30; or (iii) is at least 18 years
9        of age and will be using the Educator License with
10        Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten
11        through grade 8, until the individual reaches the age
12        of 19 years and otherwise meets the criteria for a
13        paraprofessional educator endorsement pursuant to this
14        subparagraph (J). The paraprofessional educator
15        endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
16        following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and
17        may be renewed through application and payment of the
18        appropriate fee, as required under Section 21B-40 of
19        this Code. An individual who holds only a
20        paraprofessional educator endorsement is not subject
21        to additional requirements in order to renew the
22        endorsement.
23            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
24        business official endorsement on an Educator License
25        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
26        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2

 

 

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1        years of full-time administrative experience in school
2        business management or 2 years of university-approved
3        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
4        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
5        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
6        business administrators and by passage of the
7        applicable State tests, including an applicable
8        content area test.
9            The chief school business official endorsement may
10        also be affixed to the Educator License with
11        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
12        master's degree in business administration, finance,
13        accounting, or public administration and who completes
14        an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
15        business management from a regionally accredited
16        institution of higher education and passes the
17        applicable State tests, including an applicable
18        content area test. This endorsement shall be required
19        for any individual employed as a chief school business
20        official.
21            The chief school business official endorsement on
22        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
23        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
24        endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
25        license holder completes renewal requirements as
26        required for individuals who hold a Professional

 

 

SB3634- 27 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
2        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
3        rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
4        Education.
5            The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
6        necessary to implement Public Act 100-288.
7            (L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
8        in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License
9        with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has
10        completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
11        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
12        and who has not successfully completed an
13        evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
14        who meets all of the following requirements:
15                (i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
16                (ii) Has completed an approved educator
17            preparation program at an Illinois institution.
18                (iii) Has passed an applicable content area
19            test, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
20                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
21            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
22            minimum score on that assessment, as established
23            by the State Board of Education in consultation
24            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
25            Board.
26            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an

 

 

SB3634- 28 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
2        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
3        be renewed.
4            (M) (Blank).
5            (N) Specialized services. A specialized services
6        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
7        may be issued as defined and specified by rule.
8        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
9    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
10    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
11    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
12    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
13    a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's
14    degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
15    of higher education or must be enrolled in an approved
16    educator preparation program in this State and have either
17    earned at least 75 90 credit hours or completed 3
18    semesters in an educator preparation program.
19        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
20        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
21    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
22    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
23    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked,
24    then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
25    Substitute Teaching License.
26        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a

 

 

SB3634- 29 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
2    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
3    contract because of an emergency situation, then a
4    district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer
5    than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the
6    district if the district notifies the appropriate regional
7    office of education within 5 business days after the
8    employment of the substitute teacher in that vacant
9    position. A district may continue to employ that same
10    substitute teacher in that same vacant position for 90
11    calendar days or until the end of the semester, whichever
12    is greater, if, prior to the expiration of the
13    30-calendar-day period then current, the district files a
14    written request with the appropriate regional office of
15    education for a 30-calendar-day extension on the basis
16    that the position remains vacant and the district
17    continues to actively seek qualified candidates and
18    provides documentation that it has provided training
19    specific to the position, including training on meeting
20    the needs of students with disabilities and English
21    learners if applicable. Each extension request shall be
22    granted in writing by the regional office of education. An
23    emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
24    has occurred and (i) a teacher is unexpectedly unable to
25    fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii) teacher
26    capacity needs of the district exceed previous indications

 

 

SB3634- 30 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    or vacancies are unfilled due to a lack of qualified
2    candidates, and the district is actively engaged in
3    advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the
4    vacant position.
5        There is no limit on the number of days that a
6    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
7    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
8    than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
9    through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school
10    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
11    same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a
12    Professional Educator License or Educator License with
13    Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days
14    for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same
15    school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the
16    number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not
17    apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of
18    this Code.
19        A school district may not require an individual who
20    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
21    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
22    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher. A
23    school district may not require an individual who retired
24    within the last 5 years while holding a valid Professional
25    Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations to
26    seek or hold a Substitute Teaching License to teach as a

 

 

SB3634- 31 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    substitute teacher if substitute teaching for no more than
2    one year.
3        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
4    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2028, applicants may
5    apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a
6    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. A Short-Term
7    Substitute Teaching License may be issued to a qualified
8    applicant for substitute teaching in all grades of the
9    public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
10    Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not eligible
11    for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term Substitute
12    Teaching License must hold an associate's degree or have
13    completed at least 60 credit hours from a regionally
14    accredited institution of higher education.
15        Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
16    substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
17    individual has had his or her Professional Educator
18    License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
19    revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
20    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
21        The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
22    Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
23        An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
24    License may teach no more than 15 consecutive days per
25    licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
26    absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who

 

 

SB3634- 32 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    is under contract, a school district may not hire an
2    individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
3    License, unless the Governor has declared a disaster due
4    to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
5    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual
6    holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must
7    complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or
8    34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public
9    school. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses Short-term
10    substitute teaching licenses under this Section are valid
11    for 5 years.
12(Source: P.A. 102-711, eff. 1-1-23; 102-712, eff. 4-27-22;
13102-713, eff. 1-1-23; 102-717, eff. 4-29-22; 102-894, eff.
145-20-22; 103-111, eff. 6-29-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23;
15103-193, eff. 1-1-24; revised 9-7-23.)
 
16    (105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
17    Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
18    (a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
19established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
20be charged to applicants:
21        (1) A $100 application fee for a Professional Educator
22    License or an Educator License with Stipulations.
23        (1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching
24    License. However, a retired educator may not be charged an
25    application fee for a Substitute Teaching License if the

 

 

SB3634- 33 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    applicant (i) retired while holding a valid Professional
2    Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations,
3    (ii) retired no more than 5 years before applying for the
4    Substitute Teaching License, and (iii) received a
5    performance rating of "excellent" or "proficient" under
6    Article 24A on the last evaluation received before
7    retirement. If the application for a Substitute Teaching
8    License is made and granted after July 1, 2017, the
9    licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee
10    within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall
11    be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if
12    the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of
13    Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the
14    Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full school days
15    within one year of issuance.
16        (1.7) A $25 application fee for a Short-Term
17    Substitute Teaching License. The Short-Term Substitute
18    Teaching License must be registered in at least one region
19    in this State, but does not require a registration fee.
20    The licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee
21    within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall
22    be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if
23    the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of
24    Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the
25    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full
26    school days within one year of issuance. The application

 

 

SB3634- 34 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    fee for a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License shall be
2    waived when the Governor has declared a disaster due to a
3    public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
4    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
5        (2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have
6    not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
7    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
8    education and are seeking any of the licenses set forth in
9    subdivision (1) of this subsection (a).
10        (3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
11    approval.
12        (4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of
13    the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
14    paid to the regional office of education having
15    supervision and control over the school in which the
16    individual holding the license is to be employed. If the
17    individual holding the license is not yet employed, then
18    the license may be registered in any county in this State.
19    The registration fee must be paid in its entirety the
20    first time the individual registers the license for a
21    particular validity period in a single region. No
22    additional fee may be charged for that validity period
23    should the individual subsequently register the license in
24    additional regions. An individual must register the
25    license (i) immediately after initial issuance of the
26    license and (ii) at the beginning of each renewal cycle if

 

 

SB3634- 35 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1    the individual has satisfied the renewal requirements
2    required under this Code.
3        Beginning on July 1, 2017, at the beginning of each
4    renewal cycle, individuals who hold a Substitute Teaching
5    License may apply for a reimbursement of the registration
6    fee within 18 months of renewal and shall be issued that
7    reimbursement by the State Board of Education from funds
8    appropriated for that purpose if the licensee provides
9    evidence to the State Board of Education that the licensee
10    has taught pursuant to the Substitute Teaching License at
11    least 10 full school days within one year of renewal.
12        (5) The license renewal fee for an Educator License
13    with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator
14    endorsement is $25.
15    (b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
16through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
17deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and
18shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
19Education to provide the technology and human resources
20necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
21applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
22from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
23used by the State Board of Education to support the
24recruitment and retention of educators, to support educator
25preparation programs as they seek national accreditation, and
26to provide professional development aligned with the

 

 

SB3634- 36 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1requirements set forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A
2majority of the funds in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
3Fund must be dedicated to the timely and efficient processing
4of applications and for the renewal of licenses. The Teacher
5Certificate Fee Revolving Fund is not subject to
6administrative charge transfers, authorized under Section 8h
7of the State Finance Act, from the Teacher Certificate Fee
8Revolving Fund into any other fund of this State, and moneys in
9the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund shall not revert
10back to the General Revenue Fund at any time.
11    The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
12registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
13subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
14established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
15    (c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
16of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
17fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license
18fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
19amount required by the credit card processing company or
20vendor that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
21regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee
22must be paid to that company or vendor.
23    (d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
24of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this
25Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
26the validity period of the certificate and these years have

 

 

SB3634- 37 -LRB103 33569 RJT 63381 b

1not expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees
2must be applied to the registration of the new license.
3(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-570, eff. 8-23-19;
4102-867, eff. 5-13-22.)
 
5    Section 95. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes
6changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text
7that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section
8represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does
9not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes
10made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other
11Public Act.