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.

SCHOOLS
(105 ILCS 5/) School Code.

105 ILCS 5/21-11.2

    (105 ILCS 5/21-11.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-11.2)
    Sec. 21-11.2. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-11.3

    (105 ILCS 5/21-11.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-11.3)
    Sec. 21-11.3. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-11.4

    (105 ILCS 5/21-11.4)
    Sec. 21-11.4. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 9-1-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-12

    (105 ILCS 5/21-12) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-12)
    Sec. 21-12. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-13

    (105 ILCS 5/21-13)
    Sec. 21-13. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 87-694. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-14

    (105 ILCS 5/21-14)
    Sec. 21-14. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 98-144, eff. 8-2-13. Repealed by P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-15

    (105 ILCS 5/21-15)
    Sec. 21-15. (Repealed).
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-16

    (105 ILCS 5/21-16) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-16)
    Sec. 21-16. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-17

    (105 ILCS 5/21-17)
    Sec. 21-17. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 93-679, eff. 6-30-04. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-18

    (105 ILCS 5/21-18)
    Sec. 21-18. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 93-679, eff. 6-30-04. Repealed by P.A. 95-793, eff. 1-1-09.)

105 ILCS 5/21-19

    (105 ILCS 5/21-19)
    Sec. 21-19. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 81-1508. Repealed by P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07.)

105 ILCS 5/21-21

    (105 ILCS 5/21-21)
    Sec. 21-21. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 91-102, eff. 7-12-99. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-21.1

    (105 ILCS 5/21-21.1)
    Sec. 21-21.1. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-22

    (105 ILCS 5/21-22) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-22)
    Sec. 21-22. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-23

    (105 ILCS 5/21-23)
    Sec. 21-23. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-8, eff. 6-13-11. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-23a

    (105 ILCS 5/21-23a)
    Sec. 21-23a. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 96-1551, eff. 7-1-11. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-23b

    (105 ILCS 5/21-23b)
    Sec. 21-23b. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 87-1001. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-24

    (105 ILCS 5/21-24)
    Sec. 21-24. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 84-551. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21-25

    (105 ILCS 5/21-25) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-25)
    Sec. 21-25. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 98-413, eff. 8-16-13. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-26

    (105 ILCS 5/21-26)
    Sec. 21-26. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 84-126. Repealed by P.A. 95-793, eff. 1-1-09.)

105 ILCS 5/21-27

    (105 ILCS 5/21-27)
    Sec. 21-27. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11. Repealed internally, eff. 6-30-13.)

105 ILCS 5/21-28

    (105 ILCS 5/21-28)
    Sec. 21-28. Special education teachers; certification.
    (a) In order to create a special education workforce with the broad-based knowledge necessary to educate students with a variety of disabilities, the State Board of Education and State Teacher Certification Board shall certify a special education teacher under one of the following:
        (1) Learning behavior specialist I.
        (2) Learning behavior specialist II.
        (3) Teacher of students who are blind or visually
    
impaired.
        (4) Teacher of students who are deaf or hard of
    
hearing.
        (5) Speech-language pathologist.
        (6) Early childhood special education teacher.
    (b) The State Board of Education is authorized to provide for the assignment of individuals to special education positions by short-term, emergency certification. Short-term, emergency certification shall not be renewed.
    (c) The State Board of Education is authorized to use peremptory rulemaking, in accordance with Section 5-50 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to place into the Illinois Administrative Code the certification policies and standards related to special education, as authorized under this Section, that the State Board has been required to implement pursuant to federal court orders dated February 27, 2001, August 15, 2001, and September 11, 2002 in the matter of Corey H., et al. v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago, et al.
(Source: P.A. 97-227, eff. 1-1-12; 97-461, eff. 8-19-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

105 ILCS 5/21-29

    (105 ILCS 5/21-29)
    Sec. 21-29. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 95-938, eff. 8-29-08. Repealed by P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/Art. 21A

 
    (105 ILCS 5/Art. 21A heading)
ARTICLE 21A. NEW TEACHER INDUCTION AND MENTORING

105 ILCS 5/21A-5

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-5)
    Sec. 21A-5. Definitions. In this Article:
    "New teacher" means the holder of a professional educator license, as set forth in Section 21B-20 of this Code, who is employed by a public school and who has not previously participated in a new teacher induction and mentoring program required by this Article, except as provided in Section 21A-25 of this Code.
    "Eligible applicant" or "eligible entity" means a regional office of education, an intermediate service center, an Illinois institution of higher education, a statewide organization representing teachers, a local education agency, or a public or private not-for-profit entity with experience providing professional learning, including mentoring, to early childhood educators.
    "Public school" means any school operating pursuant to the authority of this Code, including without limitation a school district, a charter school, a cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control, and a school operated by a regional office of education or State agency.
(Source: P.A. 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-10

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-10)
    Sec. 21A-10. Development of program required.
    (a) Each eligible applicant shall develop a new teacher induction and mentoring program for first and second-year teachers that meets the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 to assist new teachers in developing the skills and strategies necessary for instructional excellence, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose.
    (b) A public school that has a new teacher induction and mentoring program in existence before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly that does not meet the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 may modify the program to meet the requirements of Section 21A-20 and may receive funding as described in Section 21A-25, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose.
    (c) Each school district shall decide, in conjunction with its exclusive bargaining representative, if any, whether to forgo modifications to a new teacher induction and mentoring program in existence before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.
    If a district does not have a new teacher induction and mentoring program in existence before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly or if a district and the exclusive bargaining representative, if any, agree that an eligible entity would better serve the district's needs, the district and the exclusive bargaining representative, if any, shall jointly decide which eligible entity offers the most suitable program. The eligible entity shall include representatives from both the district and the exclusive bargaining representative in the program development discussions to ensure the program captures local need.
(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-15

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-15)
    Sec. 21A-15. Program establishment and implementation.
    (a) The State Board of Education shall establish a competitive State grant program to support new teacher induction and mentoring programs. The program shall be available to eligible entities not less than every 3 years, subject to appropriation. The State Board shall prioritize funding based on the needs of students and school districts as it relates to teacher retention.
    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, by no later than the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year or by no later than the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year for eligible applicants that have been given an extension of time to develop a program under Section 21A-10, each eligible entity or 2 or more eligible entities acting jointly shall establish and implement a new teacher induction and mentoring program required to be developed under Section 21A-10.
(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-20

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-20)
    Sec. 21A-20. Program requirements. Each new teacher induction and mentoring program must align with the standards established under Section 21A-20.5 and shall be based on a plan that at least does all of the following:
        (1) Assigns a mentor teacher to each new teacher for
    
a period of at least 2 school years.
        (2) Aligns with the Illinois Culturally Responsive
    
Teaching and Leading Standards in Part 24 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code, content area standards, and applicable local school improvement and professional development plans, if any.
        (3) (Blank).
        (4) Describes the role of mentor teachers, the
    
criteria and process for their selection, and how they will be trained, provided that each mentor teacher shall demonstrate the best practices in teaching his or her respective field of practice. A mentor teacher may not directly or indirectly participate in the evaluation of a new teacher pursuant to Article 24A of this Code or the evaluation procedure of the public school.
        (5) Is designed to be available for both in-person
    
and virtual participation.
(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-20.5

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-20.5)
    Sec. 21A-20.5. Program standards.
    (a) The State Board of Education shall establish standards for new teacher induction and mentoring programs. In establishing these standards, the State Board shall seek input and feedback from stakeholders, including parents, students, and educators, who reflect the diversity of this State.
    (b) Any changes made to the standards established under subsection (a) must be approved by the Teaching Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group pursuant to Section 21A-25.5.
(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-25

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-25)
    Sec. 21A-25. Funding.
    (a) From a separate appropriation made for the purposes of this Article, for each new teacher participating in a new teacher induction and mentoring program that meets the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 of this Code or in an existing program that is in the process of transition to a program that meets those requirements, the State Board of Education shall pay the eligible entity for the duration of the grant for the purpose of providing the following:
        (1) Mentor teacher compensation and new teacher
    
compensation.
        (2) Mentor teacher professional learning or new
    
teacher learning or both.
        (3) (Blank).
    (b) Each school district shall decide, in conjunction with its exclusive bargaining representative, if any, which eligible applicant offers the most suitable program. If a mentor teacher receives release time to support a new teacher, the total workload of other teachers regularly employed by the public school shall not increase in any substantial manner. If the appropriation is not included in the State budget, the State Board of Education is not required to implement programs established by this Article.
(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-25.5

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-25.5)
    Sec. 21A-25.5. Teaching Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group.
    (a) The State Board of Education shall create a Teaching Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group. Members of the Advisory Group must represent the diversity of this State and possess the expertise needed to perform the work required to meet the goals of the programs set forth under Section 21A-20.
    (b) The members of the Advisory Group shall be appointed by the State Superintendent of Education and shall include all of the following members:
        (1) Four members representing teachers recommended by
    
a statewide professional teachers' organization.
        (2) Four members representing teachers recommended by
    
a different statewide professional teachers' organization.
        (3) Two members representing principals recommended
    
by a statewide organization that represents principals.
        (4) One member representing district superintendents
    
recommended by a statewide organization that represents district superintendents.
        (5) One member representing regional superintendents
    
of schools recommended by a statewide association that represents regional superintendents of schools.
        (6) One member representing a State-approved educator
    
preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education recommended by the institution of higher education.
    The majority of the membership of the Advisory Group shall consist of practicing teachers.
    (c) The Advisory Group is responsible for approving any changes made to the standards established under Section 21A-20.5.
(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-30

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-30)
    Sec. 21A-30. Evaluation of programs. The State Board of Education shall contract with an independent party, using funds from the relevant appropriation for new teacher induction and mentoring programs, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the new teacher induction and mentoring programs established pursuant to this Article. Reports from the evaluation shall be made available to stakeholders after 3 years of program implementation.
(Source: P.A. 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

105 ILCS 5/21A-35

    (105 ILCS 5/21A-35)
    Sec. 21A-35. Rules. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall adopt rules for the implementation of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 101-643, eff. 6-18-20.)

105 ILCS 5/Art. 21B

 
    (105 ILCS 5/Art. 21B heading)
ARTICLE 21B. EDUCATOR LICENSURE
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

105 ILCS 5/21B-5

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