Education (Special Education)

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program, shall establish an efficient process by which information about the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program is disseminated through the State Board to students, parents and guardians, transition planning and services coordinators at school districts, special education joint agreements, and other relevant educational agencies. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $1,000,000 to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to fund the Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program and make grants to reimburse universities for unfunded liabilities related to the Program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning twice-exceptional children, changes references from "children" to "students" and defines "twice-exceptional student". Provides that in the development of an individualized education program (IEP) or federal Section 504 plan for a twice-exceptional student, if the student's ability or achievement indicates that the student would benefit from advanced academic programs, then those abilities or achievement levels shall be recognized and addressed in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan and be reflected in the individualized services, goals, accommodations, and objectives for the student, while continuing to provide appropriate services and support for the student's disabilities in all educational settings. Sets forth what the services, goals, objectives, accommodations, and best practices for identifying and addressing the educational and related needs of a twice-exceptional student may include. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In a provision regarding endorsements on Professional Educator Licenses, provides for a special education endorsement in the area of deaf-hard of hearing with sign proficiency.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, funds for the special education teacher scholarship program shall be continuously appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Provides that this requirement constitutes an irrevocable and continuing appropriation of all amounts necessary for the purpose specified by the requirement to the fullest extent such appropriation is required. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. With respect to the identification, evaluation, and placement of children, requires the State Superintendent of Education to send a copy of certain revised uniform notices by July 1 of every even-numbered year to each school district and statewide organization representing those school professions involved with individualized education programs. Requires the copy of the revised uniform notices to include an updated instruction guide and access to remote training materials. Provides that a third-party software provider that creates a platform for an individualized educational assessment form shall include a footnote that includes a reference to how to contact the State Board of Education, instructions on completing an individualized educational assessment form, an instructional video on how to fill out an individualized educational assessment form, and contact information for a person at the State Board of Education who can answer questions about completing an individualized educational assessment form. Prohibits a school district from modifying or customizing its individualized educational assessment form. Provides that the State Board of Education, in its adoption of rules regarding an individualized education program, may not include in an individualized educational assessment form a separate section regarding autism consideration.

Appropriates $1,211,674,900 to the State Board of Education for disabled student transportation reimbursements, disabled student tuition and private tuition, and regular and vocational common school transportation reimbursements. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Creates the Special Education Workload Task Force to develop guidance on the calculation of workload limits for special educators. Sets forth the members. Provides for meetings and administrative support. Requires the Task Force to submit its guidance to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly on or before June 30, 2027. Dissolves the Task Force upon submission of the guidance. Repeals these provisions on June 30, 2028.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a school shall provide written notice to the parents or guardian of a child with disabilities that the parents or guardian have the right to have an individualized education program (IEP) advocate present at any meeting regarding the child's current or prospective individualized education program and that the parents or guardian have the right to ask for an IEP facilitator for the child's IEP. Provides that the school may provide the written notification as a part of other provided documentation, including, but not limited to, admission and enrollment documents.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows the school district to initiate an impartial due process hearing within 14 (rather than 5) days of any written parent request for an independent educational evaluation to show that its evaluation is appropriate. Requires an independent educational evaluation at public expense to be completed within 60 school days (rather than 30 days) of a parent's written request unless the school district initiates an impartial due process hearing or the parent or school district offers reasonable grounds to show that such time period should be extended. Provides that if the due process hearing decision indicates that the parent is entitled to an independent educational evaluation, it must be completed within 60 school days (rather than 30 days) of the decision unless the parent or the school district offers reasonable grounds to show that such period should be extended.