105 ILCS 5/ School Code.

(105 ILCS 5/14-4.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-4.01)

Sec. 14-4.01. Special educational facilities for children with disabilities. School boards of any school districts that maintain a recognized school, whether operating under the general law or under a special charter, subject to any limitations hereinafter specified, shall establish and maintain such special educational facilities as may be needed for children with disabilities as defined in Section 14-1.02 of this Article who are residents of their school district, and such children, residents of other school districts as may be authorized by this Article.

All such school boards shall place or by regulation may authorize the director of special education to place, pursuant to procedures required by this Act and rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, eligible children into special education programs designed to benefit children with disabilities defined in Sections 14-1.02 through 14-1.07 of this Act.

All school districts, administrative districts or governing boards responsible for providing special education services shall submit to the appropriate regional superintendent comprehensive plans or modifications thereto for the provision of special education services in accordance with rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. Copies of comprehensive plans or modifications thereto shall be forwarded by the regional superintendent to the State Board of Education. Regional superintendents who provide special education services shall submit comprehensive plans or modifications thereto directly to the State Board of Education. Comprehensive plans or modifications thereto shall be made available by regional superintendents for public inspection during regular business hours.

The State Board of Education shall provide for the submission of comprehensive plans not more frequently than once every 3 years but may require the submission of such modifications as it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act and applicable federal law.

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-5.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-5.01)

Sec. 14-5.01. Application of Article. This Article applies to school boards of all types and sizes of school districts, including but not limited to special charter districts, community consolidated school districts, community unit school districts, consolidated school districts, high school districts, non-high school districts, community high school districts, and districts exceeding 500,000 inhabitants.

(Source: Laws 1965, p. 1948.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-6.01)

Sec. 14-6.01. Powers and duties of school boards. School boards of one or more school districts establishing and maintaining any of the educational facilities described in this Article shall, in connection therewith, exercise similar powers and duties as are prescribed by law for the establishment, maintenance and management of other recognized educational facilities. Such school boards shall include only eligible children in the program and shall comply with all the requirements of this Article and all rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education. Such school boards shall accept in part-time attendance children with disabilities of the types described in Sections 14-1.02 through 14-1.07 who are enrolled in nonpublic schools. A request for part-time attendance must be submitted by a parent or guardian of the disabled child and may be made only to those public schools located in the district where the child attending the nonpublic school resides; however, nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting an agreement between the district where the child resides and another public school district to provide special educational services if such an arrangement is deemed more convenient and economical. Special educational services shall be provided to such students as soon as possible after the identification, evaluation and placement procedures provided in Section 14-8.02, but no later than the beginning of the next school semester following the completion of such procedures. Transportation for students in part time attendance shall be provided only if required in the child's individualized educational program on the basis of the child's disabling condition or as the special education program location may require.

A school board shall publish a public notice in its newsletter of general circulation or in the newsletter of another governmental entity of general circulation in the district or if neither is available in the district, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, the right of all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education as provided under this Code. Such notice shall identify the location and phone number of the office or agent of the school district to whom inquiries should be directed regarding the identification, assessment and placement of such children.

School boards shall immediately provide upon request by any person written materials and other information that indicates the specific policies, procedures, rules and regulations regarding the identification, evaluation or educational placement of children with disabilities under Section 14-8.02 of the School Code. Such information shall include information regarding all rights and entitlements of such children under this Code, and of the opportunity to present complaints with respect to any matter relating to educational placement of the student, or the provision of a free appropriate public education and to have an impartial due process hearing on the complaint. The notice shall inform the parents or guardian in the parents' or guardian's native language, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so, of their rights and all procedures available pursuant to this Act and federal Public Law 94-142; it shall be the responsibility of the State Superintendent to develop uniform notices setting forth the procedures available under this Act and federal Public Law 94-142, as amended, to be used by all school boards. The notice shall also inform the parents or guardian of the availability upon request of a list of free or low-cost legal and other relevant services available locally to assist parents or guardians in exercising rights or entitlements under this Code.

Any parent or guardian who is deaf, or does not normally communicate using spoken English, who participates in a meeting with a representative of a local educational agency for the purposes of developing an individualized educational program shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter.

No disabled student may be denied promotion, graduation or a general diploma on the basis of failing a minimal competency test when such failure can be directly related to the disabling condition of the student. For the purpose of this Act, "minimal competency testing" is defined as tests which are constructed to measure the acquisition of skills to or beyond a certain defined standard.

Effective July 1, 1966, high school districts are financially responsible for the education of pupils with disabilities who are residents in their districts when such pupils have reached age 15 but may admit children with disabilities into special educational facilities without regard to graduation from the eighth grade after such pupils have reached the age of 14 1/2 years. Upon a disabled pupil's attaining the age of 14 1/2 years, it shall be the duty of the elementary school district in which the pupil resides to notify the high school district in which the pupil resides of the pupil's current eligibility for special education services, of the pupil's current program, and of all evaluation data upon which the current program is based. After an examination of that information the high school district may accept the current placement and all subsequent timelines shall be governed by the current individualized educational program; or the high school district may elect to conduct its own evaluation and multidisciplinary staff conference and formulate its own individualized educational program, in which case the procedures and timelines contained in Section 14-8.02 shall apply.

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.02) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-6.02)

Sec. 14-6.02. Service animals. Service animals such as guide dogs, signal dogs or any other animal individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a student with a disability shall be permitted to accompany that student at all school functions, whether in or outside the classroom. For the purposes of this Section, "service animal" has the same meaning as in Section 48-8 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(Source: P.A. 97-956, eff. 8-14-12; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.03)

Sec. 14-6.03. Speech-language pathology assistants.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, on or after January 1, 2002, no person shall perform the duties of a speech-language pathology assistant without first applying for and receiving a license for that purpose from the Department of Professional Regulation. A person employed as a speech-language pathology assistant in any class, service, or program authorized by this Article may perform only those duties authorized by this Section under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist as provided in this Section. This Section does not apply to speech-language pathology paraprofessionals approved by the State Board of Education.

(b) A speech-language pathology assistant may not be assigned his or her own student caseload. The student caseload limit of a speech-language pathologist who supervises any speech-language pathology assistants shall be determined by the severity of the needs of the students served by the speech-language pathologist. A full-time speech-language pathologist's caseload limit may not exceed 80 students (60 students on or after September 1, 2003) at any time. The caseload limit of a part-time speech-language pathologist shall be determined by multiplying the caseload limit of a full-time speech-language pathologist by a percentage that equals the number of hours worked by the part-time speech-language pathologist divided by the number of hours worked by a full-time speech-language pathologist in that school district. Employment of a speech-language pathology assistant may not increase or decrease the caseload of the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(c) A school district that intends to utilize the services of a speech-language pathology assistant must provide written notification to the parent or guardian of each student who will be served by a speech-language pathology assistant.

(d) The scope of responsibility of a speech-language pathology assistant shall be limited to supplementing the role of the speech-language pathologist in implementing the treatment program established by a speech-language pathologist. The functions and duties of a speech-language pathology assistant shall be limited to the following:

(1) Conducting speech-language screening, without interpretation, and using screening protocols selected by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(2) Providing direct treatment assistance to students under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.

(3) Following and implementing documented treatment plans or protocols developed by a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(4) Documenting student progress toward meeting established objectives, and reporting the information to a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(5) Assisting a speech-language pathologist during assessments, including, but not limited to, assisting with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties for a supervising speech-language pathologist.

(6) Acting as an interpreter for non-English speaking students and their family members when competent to do so.

(7) Scheduling activities and preparing charts, records, graphs, and data.

(8) Performing checks and maintenance of equipment, including, but not limited to, augmentative communication devices.

(9) Assisting with speech-language pathology research projects, in-service training, and family or community education.

(e) A speech-language pathology assistant may not:

(1) perform standardized or nonstandardized diagnostic tests or formal or informal evaluations or interpret test results;

(2) screen or diagnose students for feeding or swallowing disorders;

(3) participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(4) provide student or family counseling;

(5) write, develop, or modify a student's individualized treatment plan;

(6) assist with students without following the individualized treatment plan prepared by the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(7) sign any formal documents, such as treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports;

(8) select students for services;

(9) discharge a student from services;

(10) disclose clinical or confidential information, either orally or in writing, to anyone other than the supervising speech-language pathologist;

(11) make referrals for additional services;

(12) counsel or consult with the student, family, or others regarding the student's status or service;

(13) represent himself or herself to be a speech-language pathologist or a speech therapist;

(14) use a checklist or tabulate results of feeding or swallowing evaluations; or

(15) demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions to students, family, or staff.

(f) A speech-language pathology assistant shall practice only under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist who has at least 2 years experience in addition to the supervised professional experience required under subsection (f) of Section 8 of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. A speech-language pathologist who supervises a speech-language pathology assistant must have completed at least 10 clock hours of training in the supervision of speech-language pathology assistants. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules describing the supervision training requirements. The rules may allow a speech-language pathologist to apply to the State Board of Education for an exemption from this training requirement based upon prior supervisory experience.

(g) A speech-language pathology assistant must be under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist at least 30% of the speech-language pathology assistant's actual student contact time per student for the first 90 days of initial employment as a speech-language pathology assistant. Thereafter, the speech-language pathology assistant must be under the direct supervision of a speech-language pathologist at least 20% of the speech-language pathology assistant's actual student contact time per student. Supervision of a speech-language pathology assistant beyond the minimum requirements of this subsection may be imposed at the discretion of the supervising speech-language pathologist. A supervising speech-language pathologist must be available to communicate with a speech-language pathology assistant whenever the assistant is in contact with a student.

(h) A speech-language pathologist that supervises a speech-language pathology assistant must document direct supervision activities. At a minimum, supervision documentation must provide (i) information regarding the quality of the speech-language pathology assistant's performance of assigned duties and (ii) verification that clinical activity is limited to duties specified in this Section.

(i) A full-time speech-language pathologist may supervise no more than 2 speech-language pathology assistants. A speech-language pathologist that does not work full-time may supervise no more than one speech-language pathology assistant.

(Source: P.A. 92-510, eff. 6-1-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.04)

Sec. 14-6.04. Contracting for speech-language pathology services.

(a) For purposes of this Section:

"Reasonable efforts" means performing all of the following:

(1) placing at least 3 employment advertisements for a speech-language pathologist published in the newspaper of widest distribution within the school district or cooperative;

(2) placing one employment listing in the placement bulletin of a college or university that has a speech-language pathology curriculum that is located in the geographic area of the school district or cooperative, if any; and

(3) posting the position for speech-language pathologist on the Illinois Association of School Administrators' job placement service for at least 30 days.

"Speech-language pathologist" means a person who:

(1) holds a master's or doctoral degree with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology from an institution whose course of study was approved or program was accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or its predecessor; and

(2) either (i) has completed a program of study that meets the content-area standards for speech-language pathologists approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, (ii) has completed a program in another state, territory, or possession of the United States that is comparable to an approved program of study described in item (i), or (iii) holds a certificate issued by another state, territory, or possession of the United States that is comparable to the school service personnel certificate with a speech-language endorsement. If the requirements described in items (i), (ii), or (iii) of this paragraph (2) have not been met, a person must provide evidence that he or she has completed at least 150 clock hours of supervised experience in speech-language pathology with students with disabilities in a school setting, including experience required by federal law or federal court order; however, a person who lacks such experience may obtain interim certification as established by the Illinois State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, and shall participate in school-based professional experience of at least 150 clock hours to meet this requirement.

"Speech-language pathology services" means the application of methods and procedures for identifying, measuring, testing, appraising, predicting, and modifying communication development and disorders or disabilities of speech, language, voice, swallowing, and other speech, language, and voice-related disorders for the purpose of counseling, consulting, and rendering services or participating in the planning, directing, or conducting of programs that are designed to modify communicative disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals involving speech, language, voice, and swallowing functions.

(b) A school district or a cooperative must make reasonable efforts to employ a speech-language pathologist. While making those reasonable efforts or after unsuccessful reasonable efforts have been made, or both, a school district or cooperative may contract for speech-language pathology services with a speech-language pathologist or an entity that employs speech-language pathologists. A speech-language pathologist who provides speech-language pathology services pursuant to a contract must:

(1) hold a speech-language pathology license under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act or hold or have applied for a temporary license issued under Section 8.1 of that Act; and

(2) hold a certificate under this Code with an endorsement in speech-language pathology.

(Source: P.A. 93-110, eff. 7-8-03; 93-1060, eff. 12-23-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-6.10)

Sec. 14-6.10. Transfer of parental rights at the age of majority.

(a) When a student who is eligible for special education under this Article reaches the majority age of 18 years, all rights accorded to the student's parents under this Article transfer to the student, except as provided in this Section. This transfer of rights also applies to students who are incarcerated in an adult or juvenile State or local correctional institution. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to deny a student with a disability who has reached majority age the right to have an adult of his or her choice, including, but not limited to, the student's parent, assist the student in making decisions regarding the student's individualized education program.

(b) The school district must notify the student and the student's parents of the transfer of rights in writing at a meeting convened to review the student's individualized education program during the school year in which the student turns 17 years of age. At that time, the school district must provide the student with a copy of the Delegation of Rights form described in this Section. The school district must mail the notice and a copy of the Delegation of Rights form to the student and to the student's parents, addressed to their last known address, if they do not attend the meeting.

(c) Rights shall not transfer from the parents to the student under this Section if either of the following apply:

(1) The student with a disability who has reached the age of majority has been adjudged incompetent under State law.

(2) The student has not been adjudged incompetent under State law, but the student has executed a Delegation of Rights to make educational decisions pursuant to this Section for the purpose of appointing the student's parent or other adult to represent the educational interests of the student.

A student may terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make decisions regarding his or her education. The Delegation of Rights shall meet all of the following requirements:

(A) It shall remain in effect for one year after the date of execution, but may be renewed annually with the written or other formal authorization of the student and the person the student delegates to represent the educational interests of the student.

(B) It shall be signed by the student or verified by other means, such as audio or video or other alternative format compatible with the student's disability showing that the student has agreed to the terms of the delegation.

(C) It shall be signed or otherwise manifest verification that the designee accepts the delegation.

(D) It shall include declarations that the student (i) is 18 years of age or older, (ii) intends to delegate his or her educational rights under federal and State law to a specified individual who is at least 18 years of age, (iii) has not been adjudged incompetent under State law, (iv) is entitled to be present during the development of the student's individualized education program and to raise issues or concerns about the student's individualized education program, (v) will be permitted to terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time, and (vi) will notify the school district immediately if the student terminates the Delegation of Rights.

(E) It shall be identical or substantially the same as the following form:

DELEGATION OF RIGHTS TO MAKE EDUCATIONAL DECISION

I, (insert name), am 18 years of age or older and a student who has the right to make educational decisions for myself under State and federal law. I have not been adjudged incompetent and, as of the date of the execution of this document, I hereby delegate my right to give consent and make decisions concerning my education to (insert name), who will be considered my "parent" for purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and Article 14 of the School Code and will exercise all of the rights and responsibilities concerning my education that are conferred on a parent under those laws. I understand and give my consent for (insert name) to make all decisions relating to my education on my behalf. I understand that I have the right to be present at meetings held to develop my individualized education program and that I have the right to raise any issues or concerns I may have and that the school district must consider them.

This delegation will be in effect for one year from the date of execution below and may be renewed by my written or other formal authorization. I also understand that I have the right to terminate this Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make my own decisions regarding my education. I understand that I must notify the school district immediately if I revoke this Delegation of Rights prior to its expiration.

(insert name)

Student

DATE: (insert date)

Accepted by: (insert name)

Designated Representative

(Source: P.A. 95-372, eff. 8-23-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.01)

Sec. 14-7.01. Children attending classes in another district.) If a child, resident of one school district, because of his disability, attends a class or school for any of such types of children in another school district, the school district in which he resides shall grant the proper permit, provide any necessary transportation, and pay to the school district maintaining the special educational facilities the per capita cost of educating such children.

Such per capita cost shall be computed in the following manner. The cost of conducting and maintaining any special educational facility shall be first determined and shall include the following expenses applicable only to such educational facility under rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education as follows:

(a) Salaries of teachers, professional workers, necessary non-certified workers, clerks, librarians, custodial employees, readers, and any district taxes specifically for their pension and retirement benefits.

(b) Educational supplies and equipment including textbooks.

(c) Administrative costs and communication.

(d) Operation of physical plant including heat, light, water, repairs, and maintenance.

(e) Auxiliary service, including up to 20% of transportation cost.

(f) Depreciation of physical facilities at a rate of $200 per pupil, or the actual rental paid for the physical facilities calculated on a per pupil basis. From such total cost thus determined there shall be deducted the State reimbursement due on account of such educational program for the same year, not including any State reimbursement for special education transportation and offsetting federal revenue for the program, except federally funded health care reimbursement need not be deducted. Such net cost shall be divided by the average number of pupils in average daily enrollment in such special education facility for the school year in order to arrive at the net per capita tuition cost.

If the child, resident of any school district, because of his disability, attends a class or school for any of such types of children maintained in a teacher training center supported by public funds or State institution of higher learning, the resident district shall provide any necessary transportation and shall be eligible to the transportation reimbursement provided in Section 14-13.01.

A resident district may, upon request, provide transportation for residents of the district who meet the requirements, other than the specified age, of children with disabilities as defined in Section 14-1.02, who attend classes in another district, and shall make a charge for any such transportation in an amount equal to the cost thereof, including a reasonable allowance for depreciation of the vehicles used.

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.02) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.02)

Sec. 14-7.02. Children attending private schools, public out-of-state schools, public school residential facilities or private special education facilities. The General Assembly recognizes that non-public schools or special education facilities provide an important service in the educational system in Illinois.

If because of his or her disability the special education program of a district is unable to meet the needs of a child and the child attends a non-public school or special education facility, a public out-of-state school or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit that provides special educational services required by the child and is in compliance with the appropriate rules and regulations of the State Superintendent of Education, the school district in which the child is a resident shall pay the actual cost of tuition for special education and related services provided during the regular school term and during the summer school term if the child's educational needs so require, excluding room, board and transportation costs charged the child by that non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school or county special education facility, or $4,500 per year, whichever is less, and shall provide him any necessary transportation. "Nonpublic special education facility" shall include a residential facility, within or without the State of Illinois, which provides special education and related services to meet the needs of the child by utilizing private schools or public schools, whether located on the site or off the site of the residential facility.

The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations for determining when placement in a private special education facility is appropriate. Such rules and regulations shall take into account the various types of services needed by a child and the availability of such services to the particular child in the public school. In developing these rules and regulations the State Board of Education shall consult with the Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities and hold public hearings to secure recommendations from parents, school personnel, and others concerned about this matter.

The State Board of Education shall also promulgate rules and regulations for transportation to and from a residential school. Transportation to and from home to a residential school more than once each school term shall be subject to prior approval by the State Superintendent in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board.

A school district making tuition payments pursuant to this Section is eligible for reimbursement from the State for the amount of such payments actually made in excess of the district per capita tuition charge for students not receiving special education services. Such reimbursement shall be approved in accordance with Section 14-12.01 and each district shall file its claims, computed in accordance with rules prescribed by the State Board of Education, on forms prescribed by the State Superintendent of Education. Data used as a basis of reimbursement claims shall be for the preceding regular school term and summer school term. Each school district shall transmit its claims to the State Board of Education on or before August 15. The State Board of Education, before approving any such claims, shall determine their accuracy and whether they are based upon services and facilities provided under approved programs. Upon approval the State Board shall cause vouchers to be prepared showing the amount due for payment of reimbursement claims to school districts, for transmittal to the State Comptroller on the 30th day of September, December, and March, respectively, and the final voucher, no later than June 20. If the money appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose for any year is insufficient, it shall be apportioned on the basis of the claims approved.

No child shall be placed in a special education program pursuant to this Section if the tuition cost for special education and related services increases more than 10 percent over the tuition cost for the previous school year or exceeds $4,500 per year unless such costs have been approved by the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board. The Illinois Purchased Care Review Board shall consist of the following persons, or their designees: the Directors of Children and Family Services, Public Health, Public Aid, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget; the Secretary of Human Services; the State Superintendent of Education; and such other persons as the Governor may designate. The Review Board shall establish rules and regulations for its determination of allowable costs and payments made by local school districts for special education, room and board, and other related services provided by non-public schools or special education facilities and shall establish uniform standards and criteria which it shall follow.

The Review Board shall establish uniform definitions and criteria for accounting separately by special education, room and board and other related services costs. The Board shall also establish guidelines for the coordination of services and financial assistance provided by all State agencies to assure that no otherwise qualified disabled child receiving services under Article 14 shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any State agency.

The Review Board shall review the costs for special education and related services provided by non-public schools or special education facilities and shall approve or disapprove such facilities in accordance with the rules and regulations established by it with respect to allowable costs.

The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and staff support for the Review Board as deemed reasonable by the State Superintendent of Education. This support shall not include travel expenses or other compensation for any Review Board member other than the State Superintendent of Education.

The Review Board shall seek the advice of the Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities on the rules and regulations to be promulgated by it relative to providing special education services.

If a child has been placed in a program in which the actual per pupil costs of tuition for special education and related services based on program enrollment, excluding room, board and transportation costs, exceed $4,500 and such costs have been approved by the Review Board, the district shall pay such total costs which exceed $4,500. A district making such tuition payments in excess of $4,500 pursuant to this Section shall be responsible for an amount in excess of $4,500 equal to the district per capita tuition charge and shall be eligible for reimbursement from the State for the amount of such payments actually made in excess of the districts per capita tuition charge for students not receiving special education services.

If a child has been placed in an approved individual program and the tuition costs including room and board costs have been approved by the Review Board, then such room and board costs shall be paid by the appropriate State agency subject to the provisions of Section 14-8.01 of this Act. Room and board costs not provided by a State agency other than the State Board of Education shall be provided by the State Board of Education on a current basis. In no event, however, shall the State's liability for funding of these tuition costs begin until after the legal obligations of third party payors have been subtracted from such costs. If the money appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose for any year is insufficient, it shall be apportioned on the basis of the claims approved. Each district shall submit estimated claims to the State Superintendent of Education. Upon approval of such claims, the State Superintendent of Education shall direct the State Comptroller to make payments on a monthly basis. The frequency for submitting estimated claims and the method of determining payment shall be prescribed in rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. Such current state reimbursement shall be reduced by an amount equal to the proceeds which the child or child's parents are eligible to receive under any public or private insurance or assistance program. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as relieving an insurer or similar third party from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or to pay for services provided to a disabled child.

If it otherwise qualifies, a school district is eligible for the transportation reimbursement under Section 14-13.01 and for the reimbursement of tuition payments under this Section whether the non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school or county special education facility, attended by a child who resides in that district and requires special educational services, is within or outside of the State of Illinois. However, a district is not eligible to claim transportation reimbursement under this Section unless the district certifies to the State Superintendent of Education that the district is unable to provide special educational services required by the child for the current school year.

Nothing in this Section authorizes the reimbursement of a school district for the amount paid for tuition of a child attending a non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school or county special education facility unless the school district certifies to the State Superintendent of Education that the special education program of that district is unable to meet the needs of that child because of his disability and the State Superintendent of Education finds that the school district is in substantial compliance with Section 14-4.01. However, if a child is unilaterally placed by a State agency or any court in a non-public school or special education facility, public out-of-state school, or county special education facility, a school district shall not be required to certify to the State Superintendent of Education, for the purpose of tuition reimbursement, that the special education program of that district is unable to meet the needs of a child because of his or her disability.

Any educational or related services provided, pursuant to this Section in a non-public school or special education facility or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit shall be at no cost to the parent or guardian of the child. However, current law and practices relative to contributions by parents or guardians for costs other than educational or related services are not affected by this amendatory Act of 1978.

Reimbursement for children attending public school residential facilities shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any school district receiving a payment under this Section or under Section 14-7.02b, 14-13.01, or 29-5 of this Code may classify all or a portion of the funds that it receives in a particular fiscal year or from general State aid pursuant to Section 18-8.05 of this Code as funds received in connection with any funding program for which it is entitled to receive funds from the State in that fiscal year (including, without limitation, any funding program referenced in this Section), regardless of the source or timing of the receipt. The district may not classify more funds as funds received in connection with the funding program than the district is entitled to receive in that fiscal year for that program. Any classification by a district must be made by a resolution of its board of education. The resolution must identify the amount of any payments or general State aid to be classified under this paragraph and must specify the funding program to which the funds are to be treated as received in connection therewith. This resolution is controlling as to the classification of funds referenced therein. A certified copy of the resolution must be sent to the State Superintendent of Education. The resolution shall still take effect even though a copy of the resolution has not been sent to the State Superintendent of Education in a timely manner. No classification under this paragraph by a district shall affect the total amount or timing of money the district is entitled to receive under this Code. No classification under this paragraph by a district shall in any way relieve the district from or affect any requirements that otherwise would apply with respect to that funding program, including any accounting of funds by source, reporting expenditures by original source and purpose, reporting requirements, or requirements of providing services.

(Source: P.A. 93-1022, eff. 8-24-04; 94-177, eff. 7-12-05.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.02a) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.02a)

Sec. 14-7.02a. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-568, eff. 6-26-02. Repealed by P.A. 93-1022, eff. 8-24-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.02b)

Sec. 14-7.02b. Funding for children requiring special education services. Payments to school districts for children requiring special education services documented in their individualized education program regardless of the program from which these services are received, excluding children claimed under Sections 14-7.02 and 14-7.03 of this Code, shall be made in accordance with this Section. Funds received under this Section may be used only for the provision of special educational facilities and services as defined in Section 14-1.08 of this Code.

The appropriation for fiscal year 2005 and thereafter shall be based upon the IDEA child count of all students in the State, excluding students claimed under Sections 14-7.02 and 14-7.03 of this Code, on December 1 of the fiscal year 2 years preceding, multiplied by 17.5% of the general State aid foundation level of support established for that fiscal year under Section 18-8.05 of this Code.

Beginning with fiscal year 2005 and through fiscal year 2007, individual school districts shall not receive payments under this Section totaling less than they received under the funding authorized under Section 14-7.02a of this Code during fiscal year 2004, pursuant to the provisions of Section 14-7.02a as they were in effect before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. This base level funding shall be computed first.

Beginning with fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, individual school districts must not receive payments under this Section totaling less than they received in fiscal year 2007. This funding shall be computed last and shall be a separate calculation from any other calculation set forth in this Section. This amount is exempt from the requirements of Section 1D-1 of this Code.

An amount equal to 85% of the funds remaining in the appropriation shall be allocated to school districts based upon the district's average daily attendance reported for purposes of Section 18-8.05 of this Code for the preceding school year. Fifteen percent of the funds remaining in the appropriation shall be allocated to school districts based upon the district's low income eligible pupil count used in the calculation of general State aid under Section 18-8.05 of this Code for the same fiscal year. One hundred percent of the funds computed and allocated to districts under this Section shall be distributed and paid to school districts.

For individual students with disabilities whose program costs exceed 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate as calculated under Section 10-20.12a of this Code, the costs in excess of 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate shall be paid by the State Board of Education from unexpended IDEA discretionary funds originally designated for room and board reimbursement pursuant to Section 14-8.01 of this Code. The amount of tuition for these children shall be determined by the actual cost of maintaining classes for these children, using the per capita cost formula set forth in Section 14-7.01 of this Code, with the program and cost being pre-approved by the State Superintendent of Education. Reimbursement for individual students with disabilities whose program costs exceed 4 times the district's per capita tuition rate shall be claimed beginning with costs encumbered for the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter.

The State Board of Education shall prepare vouchers equal to one-fourth the amount allocated to districts, for transmittal to the State Comptroller on the 30th day of September, December, and March, respectively, and the final voucher, no later than June 20. The Comptroller shall make payments pursuant to this Section to school districts as soon as possible after receipt of vouchers. If the money appropriated from the General Assembly for such purposes for any year is insufficient, it shall be apportioned on the basis of the payments due to school districts.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to decrease or increase the percentage of all special education funds that are allocated annually under Article 1D of this Code or to alter the requirement that a school district provide special education services.

Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall eliminate any reimbursement obligation owed as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly to a school district with in excess of 500,000 inhabitants.

(Source: P.A. 93-1022, eff. 8-24-08. 95-705, eff. 1-8-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.03) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.03)

Sec. 14-7.03. Special Education Classes for Children from Orphanages, Foster Family Homes, Children's Homes, or in State Housing Units. If a school district maintains special education classes on the site of orphanages and children's homes, or if children from the orphanages, children's homes, foster family homes, other State agencies, or State residential units for children attend classes for children with disabilities in which the school district is a participating member of a joint agreement, or if the children from the orphanages, children's homes, foster family homes, other State agencies, or State residential units attend classes for the children with disabilities maintained by the school district, then reimbursement shall be paid to eligible districts in accordance with the provisions of this Section by the Comptroller as directed by the State Superintendent of Education.

The amount of tuition for such children shall be determined by the actual cost of maintaining such classes, using the per capita cost formula set forth in Section 14-7.01, such program and cost to be pre-approved by the State Superintendent of Education.

On forms prepared by the State Superintendent of Education, the district shall certify to the regional superintendent the following:

(1) The name of the home or State residential unit with the name of the owner or proprietor and address of those maintaining it;

(2) That no service charges or other payments authorized by law were collected in lieu of taxes therefrom or on account thereof during either of the calendar years included in the school year for which claim is being made;

(3) The number of children qualifying under this Act in special education classes for instruction on the site of the orphanages and children's homes;

(4) The number of children attending special education classes for children with disabilities in which the district is a participating member of a special education joint agreement;

(5) The number of children attending special education classes for children with disabilities maintained by the district;

(6) The computed amount of tuition payment claimed as due, as approved by the State Superintendent of Education, for maintaining these classes.

If a school district makes a claim for reimbursement under Section 18-3 or 18-4 of this Act it shall not include in any claim filed under this Section a claim for such children. Payments authorized by law, including State or federal grants for education of children included in this Section, shall be deducted in determining the tuition amount.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to prohibit reimbursement for the tuition of children placed in for profit facilities. Private facilities shall provide adequate space at the facility for special education classes provided by a school district or joint agreement for children with disabilities who are residents of the facility at no cost to the school district or joint agreement upon request of the school district or joint agreement. If such a private facility provides space at no cost to the district or joint agreement for special education classes provided to children with disabilities who are residents of the facility, the district or joint agreement shall not include any costs for the use of those facilities in its claim for reimbursement.

Reimbursement for tuition may include the cost of providing summer school programs for children with severe and profound disabilities served under this Section. Claims for that reimbursement shall be filed by November 1 and shall be paid on or before December 15 from appropriations made for the purposes of this Section.

The State Board of Education shall establish such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

Claims filed on behalf of programs operated under this Section housed in a jail, detention center, or county-owned shelter care facility shall be on an individual student basis only for eligible students with disabilities. These claims shall be in accordance with applicable rules.

Each district claiming reimbursement for a program operated as a group program shall have an approved budget on file with the State Board of Education prior to the initiation of the program's operation. On September 30, December 31, and March 31, the State Board of Education shall voucher payments to group programs based upon the approved budget during the year of operation. Final claims for group payments shall be filed on or before July 15. Final claims for group programs received at the State Board of Education on or before June 15 shall be vouchered by June 30. Final claims received at the State Board of Education between June 16 and July 15 shall be vouchered by August 30. Claims for group programs received after July 15 shall not be honored.

Each district claiming reimbursement for individual students shall have the eligibility of those students verified by the State Board of Education. On September 30, December 31, and March 31, the State Board of Education shall voucher payments for individual students based upon an estimated cost calculated from the prior year's claim. Final claims for individual students for the regular school term must be received at the State Board of Education by July 15. Claims for individual students received after July 15 shall not be honored. Final claims for individual students shall be vouchered by August 30.

Reimbursement shall be made based upon approved group programs or individual students. The State Superintendent of Education shall direct the Comptroller to pay a specified amount to the district by the 30th day of September, December, March, June, or August, respectively. However, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section or the School Code, beginning with fiscal year 1994 and each fiscal year thereafter, if the amount appropriated for any fiscal year is less than the amount required for purposes of this Section, the amount required to eliminate any insufficient reimbursement for each district claim under this Section shall be reimbursed on August 30 of the next fiscal year. Payments required to eliminate any insufficiency for prior fiscal year claims shall be made before any claims are paid for the current fiscal year.

The claim of a school district otherwise eligible to be reimbursed in accordance with Section 14-12.01 for the 1976-77 school year but for this amendatory Act of 1977 shall not be paid unless the district ceases to maintain such classes for one entire school year.

If a school district's current reimbursement payment for the 1977-78 school year only is less than the prior year's reimbursement payment owed, the district shall be paid the amount of the difference between the payments in addition to the current reimbursement payment, and the amount so paid shall be subtracted from the amount of prior year's reimbursement payment owed to the district.

Regional superintendents may operate special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes or State housing units located within the educational services region upon consent of the school board otherwise so obligated. In electing to assume the powers and duties of a school district in providing and maintaining such a special education program, the regional superintendent may enter into joint agreements with other districts and may contract with public or private schools or the orphanage, foster family home, children's home or State housing unit for provision of the special education program. The regional superintendent exercising the powers granted under this Section shall claim the reimbursement authorized by this Section directly from the State Board of Education.

Any child who is not a resident of Illinois who is placed in a child welfare institution, private facility, foster family home, State operated program, orphanage or children's home shall have the payment for his educational tuition and any related services assured by the placing agent.

For each disabled student who is placed in a residential facility by an Illinois public agency or by any court in this State, the costs for educating the student are eligible for reimbursement under this Section.

The district of residence of the disabled student as defined in Section 14-1.11a is responsible for the actual costs of the student's special education program and is eligible for reimbursement under this Section when placement is made by a State agency or the courts.

When a dispute arises over the determination of the district of residence under this Section, the district or districts may appeal the decision in writing to the State Superintendent of Education, who, upon review of materials submitted and any other items or information he or she may request for submission, shall issue a written decision on the matter. The decision of the State Superintendent of Education shall be final.

In the event a district does not make a tuition payment to another district that is providing the special education program and services, the State Board of Education shall immediately withhold 125% of the then remaining annual tuition cost from the State aid or categorical aid payment due to the school district that is determined to be the resident school district. All funds withheld by the State Board of Education shall immediately be forwarded to the school district where the student is being served.

When a child eligible for services under this Section 14-7.03 must be placed in a nonpublic facility, that facility shall meet the programmatic requirements of Section 14-7.02 and its regulations, and the educational services shall be funded only in accordance with this Section 14-7.03.

(Source: P.A. 95-313, eff. 8-20-07; 95-844, eff. 8-15-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.03a) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.03a)

Sec. 14-7.03a. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 80-1481. Repealed by P.A. 90-644, eff. 7-24-98.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.04) (from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.04)

Sec. 14-7.04. Health care reimbursement.

(a) Local educational agencies may utilize federally funded health care programs to share in the costs of services which are provided to children requiring special education and related services and which are either listed on an individualized education program established pursuant to the federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, Public Law No. 94-142 or are provided under an individualized family service plan established pursuant to the federal Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, Public Law No. 99-457. Those federally funded health care programs shall also share in the cost of all screenings and diagnostic evaluations for children suspected of having or known to have a disability. However, all such services shall continue to be initially funded by the local educational agency and shall be provided regardless of subsequent cost sharing with other funding sources. Federally funded health care reimbursement funds are supplemental and shall not be used to reduce any other Federal payments, private payments or State Board of Education funds for special education as provided in Article 14 of the School Code for which the local education agency is eligible.

Local educational agencies providing early periodic screening and diagnostic testing services on or after August 1, 1991, including screening and diagnostic services, health care and treatment, preventive health care, and any other measure to correct or improve health impairments of Medicaid-eligible children, may also access federally funded health care resources.

The State Board of Education and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may enter into an intergovernmental agreement whereby school districts or their agents may claim medicaid matching funds for medicaid eligible special education children as authorized by Section 1903 of the Social Security Act. Under that intergovernmental agreement, school districts or their agents may also claim federal funds for the services provided to special education students enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program.

(b) No employee or officer of a school district, special education joint agreement, office of a regional superintendent of schools or the State Board of Education may have a direct or indirect financial interest in any agreement between the entity of which the person is an employee or officer and any corporation, organization or other entity that collects or participates in the collection of payments from private health care benefit plans or federally funded health care programs authorized under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14-7.05)

Sec. 14-7.05. Placement in residential facility; payment of educational costs. For any student with a disability in a residential facility placement made or paid for by an Illinois public State agency or made by any court in this State, the school district of residence as determined pursuant to this Article is responsible for the costs of educating the child and shall be reimbursed for those costs in accordance with this Code. Subject to this Section and relevant State appropriation, the resident district's financial responsibility and reimbursement must be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 14-7.02 of this Code. In those instances in which a district receives a block grant pursuant to Article 1D of this Code, the district's financial responsibility is limited to the actual educational costs of the placement, which must be paid by the district from its block grant appropriation. Resident district financial responsibility and reimbursement applies for both residential facilities that are approved by the State Board of Education and non-approved facilities, subject to the requirements of this Section. The Illinois placing agency or court remains responsible for funding the residential portion of the placement and for notifying the resident district prior to the placement, except in emergency situations. The residential facility in which the student is placed shall notify the resident district of the student's enrollment as soon as practicable after the placement. Failure of the placing agency or court to notify the resident district prior to the placement does not absolve the resident district of financial responsibility for the educational costs of the placement; however, the resident district shall not become financially responsible unless and until it receives written notice of the placement by either the placing agency, court, or residential facility. The placing agency or parent shall request an individualized education program (IEP) meeting from the resident district if the placement would entail additional educational services beyond the student's current IEP. The district of residence shall retain control of the IEP process, and any changes to the IEP must be done in compliance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Payments shall be made by the resident district to the entity providing the educational services, whether the entity is the residential facility or the school district wherein the facility is located, no less than once per quarter unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties.

A residential facility providing educational services within the facility, but not approved by the State Board of Education, is required to demonstrate proof to the State Board of (i) appropriate certification of teachers for the student population, (ii) age-appropriate curriculum, (iii) enrollment and attendance data, and (iv) the ability to implement the child's IEP. A school district is under no obligation to pay such a residential facility unless and until such proof is provided to the State Board's satisfaction.

When a dispute arises over the determination of the district of residence under this Section, any person or entity, including without limitation a school district or residential facility, may make a written request for a residency decision to the State Superintendent of Education, who, upon review of materials submitted and any other items of information he or she may request for submission, shall issue his or her decision in writing. The decision of the State Superintendent of Education is final.

(Source: P.A. 95-844, eff. 8-15-08; 95-938, eff. 8-29-08.)