(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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

(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.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-10)

Sec. 21B-10. State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

(a) The State Teacher Certification Board, which had been established under Section 21-13 of the School Code prior to this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, shall be renamed the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. References in law to the State Teacher Certification Board shall mean the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall consist of the State Superintendent of Education or a representative appointed by him or her, who shall be ex-officio chairperson, 5 administrative or faculty members of public or private colleges or universities located in this State, 3 administrators and 10 classroom teachers employed in the public schools (5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a statewide professional teachers' organization and 5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a different statewide professional teachers' organization), and one regional superintendent of schools, all of whom shall be appointed by the State Board of Education; provided that at least one of the administrators and at least 3 of the classroom teachers so appointed must be employees of a school district that is subject to the provisions of Article 34 of this Code. A statewide professional teachers' organization and a different statewide professional teachers' organization shall submit to the State Board of Education for consideration at least 3 names of accomplished teachers for every one vacancy or expiring term in a classroom teacher position. The nominations submitted to the State Board of Education under this Section to fill a vacancy or an expiring term shall be advisory. Nomination for State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board members must be submitted to the State Board of Education within 30 days after the vacancy or vacancies occur. Nominations to fill an expiring term must be submitted to the State Board of Education at least 30 days before the expiration of that term. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if a sufficient number of nominations are not received by the State Board of Education for a vacancy or expiring term within the 30-day period, then the State Board of Education may appoint any qualified person, in the same manner as the original appointment, to fill the vacancy or expiring term. The regular term of each member is 3 years, and an individual may be appointed for no more than 2 consecutive terms. The term of an appointed member of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall expire on June 30 of his or her final year.

(b) The State Board of Education shall appoint a secretary of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

(c) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and such other special meetings as may be necessary.

(d) The necessary expenses of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall be provided through the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary for the administration of this Article.

(e) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 100-596, eff. 7-1-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-12)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on October 1, 2025)

Sec. 21B-12. Professional educator licensure review committee.

(a) The State Superintendent of Education shall establish a committee of no more than 21 members to make recommendations to the State Board of Education to change the professional educator licensure requirements and Professional Educator License renewal requirements for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers to include demonstrated proficiency in adverse childhood experiences, trauma, secondary traumatic stress, creating trauma-responsive learning environments or communities, as defined in subsection (b) of Section 3-11 of this Code, restorative justice, and restorative practices on or before October 1, 2024. The members of the committee shall be appointed by the State Superintendent of Education, unless stated otherwise, and shall include the following members:

(1) the State Superintendent of Education or a designee;

(2) one member of a statewide professional teachers' organization;

(3) one member of another statewide professional teachers' organization;

(4) one member who represents a school district serving a community with a population of 500,000 or more;

(5) one member of a statewide organization representing school social workers;

(6) one member of a statewide organization representing school counselors;

(7) one member of an organization that has specific expertise in trauma-responsive school practices and experience in supporting schools in developing trauma-responsive and restorative practices;

(8) one member of another organization that has specific expertise in trauma-responsive school practices and experience in supporting schools in developing trauma-responsive and restorative practices;

(9) one member of a statewide organization that represents school principals and assistant principals;

(10) 3 members representing a State-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education recommended by the institution of higher education;

(11) one member representing regional superintendents of schools recommended by a statewide association that represents regional superintendents of schools;

(12) one educator from a school district that has actively worked to develop a system of student support that uses a trauma-informed lens;

(13) one member representing district superintendents recommended by a statewide organization that represents district superintendents;

(14) the Secretary of Human Services, the Director of Children and Family Services, the Director of Public Health, and the Director of Juvenile Justice, or their designees; and

(15) a child advocate.

(b) This Section is repealed on October 1, 2025.

(Source: P.A. 103-413, eff. 1-1-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-15)

Sec. 21B-15. Qualifications of educators.

(a) No one may be licensed to teach or supervise or be otherwise employed in the public schools of this State who is not of good character and at least 19 years of age, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (J) of subsection (2) of Section 21B-20.

In determining good character under this Section, the State Superintendent of Education shall take into consideration the disciplinary actions of other states or national entities against certificates or licenses issued by those states and held by individuals from those states. In addition, any felony conviction of the applicant may be taken into consideration; however, no one may be licensed to teach or supervise in the public schools of this State who has been convicted of (i) an offense set forth in subsection (b) of Section 21B-80 of this Code until 7 years following the end of the sentence for the criminal offense or (ii) an offense set forth in subsection (c) of Section 21B-80 of this Code. Unless the conviction is for an offense set forth in Section 21B-80 of this Code, an applicant must be permitted to submit character references or other written material before such a conviction or other information regarding the applicant's character may be used by the State Superintendent of Education as a basis for denying the application.

(b) No person otherwise qualified shall be denied the right to be licensed or to receive training for the purpose of becoming an educator because of a physical disability, including, but not limited to, visual and hearing disabilities; nor shall any school district refuse to employ a teacher on such grounds, provided that the person is able to carry out the duties of the position for which he or she applies.

(c) No person may be granted or continue to hold an educator license who has knowingly altered or misrepresented his or her qualifications, in this State or any other state, in order to acquire or renew the license. Any other license issued under this Article held by the person may be suspended or revoked by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, depending upon the severity of the alteration or misrepresentation.

(d) No one may teach or supervise in the public schools nor receive for teaching or supervising any part of any public school fund who does not hold an educator license granted by the State Superintendent of Education as provided in this Article. However, the provisions of this Article do not apply to a member of the armed forces who is employed as a teacher of subjects in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of any school, nor to an individual teaching a dual credit course as provided for in the Dual Credit Quality Act.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the school board of a school district may grant to a teacher of the district a leave of absence with full pay for a period of not more than one year to permit the teacher to teach in a foreign state under the provisions of the Exchange Teacher Program established under Public Law 584, 79th Congress, and Public Law 402, 80th Congress, as amended. The school board granting the leave of absence may employ, with or without pay, a national of the foreign state wherein the teacher on the leave of absence is to teach if the national is qualified to teach in that foreign state and if that national is to teach in a grade level similar to the one that was taught in the foreign state. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt rules as may be necessary to implement this subsection (e).

(f) No person shall be denied a license issued under this Article solely based on his or her citizenship status or immigration status. The General Assembly finds and declares that this subsection (f) is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the requirements to obtain a license that are not directly related to citizenship status or immigration status. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to grant eligibility for obtaining any public benefit other than a license issued under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 102-713, eff. 1-1-23.)