103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4311

 

Introduced 1/16/2024, by Rep. Travis Weaver

 

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

    Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Authorizes the issuance of short-term substitute teaching licenses to applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an unaccredited institution of higher education. Effective immediately.


LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4311LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
521B-20 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
7    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-193)
8    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
9Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
10whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
11required to be licensed must have one of the following
12licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an
13educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute
14teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2028, a short-term
15substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
16individuals certified or certificated or required to be
17certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
18also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
19under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
2030 following one full year of the license being issued.
21    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
22State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
23rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for

 

 

HB4311- 2 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 3 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 4 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 5 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 6 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 7 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 8 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 9 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 10 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 11 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 12 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 13 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 14 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

1    unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii)
2    teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous
3    indications, and the district is actively engaged in
4    advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the
5    vacant position.
6        There is no limit on the number of days that a
7    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
8    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
9    than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
10    through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school
11    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
12    same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a
13    Professional Educator License or Educator License with
14    Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days
15    for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same
16    school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the
17    number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not
18    apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of
19    this Code.
20        A school district may not require an individual who
21    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
22    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
23    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.
24        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
25    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2028, applicants may
26    apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a

 

 

HB4311- 15 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 16 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

1    to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
2    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual
3    holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must
4    complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or
5    34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public
6    school. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses Short-term
7    substitute teaching licenses under this Section are valid
8    for 5 years.
9(Source: P.A. 102-711, eff. 1-1-23; 102-712, eff. 4-27-22;
10102-713, eff. 1-1-23; 102-717, eff. 4-29-22; 102-894, eff.
115-20-22; 103-111, eff. 6-29-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; revised
129-7-23.)
 
13    (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-193)
14    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
15Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
16whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
17required to be licensed must have one of the following
18licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an
19educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute
20teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2028, a short-term
21substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
22individuals certified or certificated or required to be
23certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
24also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
25under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June

 

 

HB4311- 17 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 18 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 19 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 20 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 21 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 22 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 23 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 24 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 25 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 26 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 27 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 28 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 29 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

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

 

 

HB4311- 30 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

1    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
2    than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
3    through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school
4    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
5    same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a
6    Professional Educator License or Educator License with
7    Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days
8    for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same
9    school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the
10    number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not
11    apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of
12    this Code.
13        A school district may not require an individual who
14    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
15    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
16    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.
17        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
18    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2028, applicants may
19    apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a
20    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. A Short-Term
21    Substitute Teaching License may be issued to a qualified
22    applicant for substitute teaching in all grades of the
23    public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
24    Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not eligible
25    for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term Substitute
26    Teaching License must hold an associate's degree or have

 

 

HB4311- 31 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

1    completed at least 60 credit hours from a regionally
2    accredited institution of higher education or must hold a
3    bachelor's degree or higher from an unaccredited
4    institution of higher education.
5        Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
6    substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
7    individual has had his or her Professional Educator
8    License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
9    revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
10    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
11        The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
12    Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
13        An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
14    License may teach no more than 15 consecutive days per
15    licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
16    absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who
17    is under contract, a school district may not hire an
18    individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
19    License, unless the Governor has declared a disaster due
20    to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
21    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual
22    holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must
23    complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or
24    34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public
25    school. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses Short-term
26    substitute teaching licenses under this Section are valid

 

 

HB4311- 32 -LRB103 34458 RJT 64288 b

1    for 5 years.
2(Source: P.A. 102-711, eff. 1-1-23; 102-712, eff. 4-27-22;
3102-713, eff. 1-1-23; 102-717, eff. 4-29-22; 102-894, eff.
45-20-22; 103-111, eff. 6-29-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23;
5103-193, eff. 1-1-24; revised 9-7-23.)
 
6    Section 95. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes
7changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text
8that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section
9represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does
10not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes
11made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other
12Public Act.
 
13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
14becoming law.