On August 27, 2013, the General Assembly passed Pub. Act 98-0560, which allows school districts to voluntarily participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy Program.
Effective January 22, 2015, the Illinois State Board of Education ("ISBE") made three changes that relate to nonpublic schools (including private and charter schools).
Beginning on July 1, 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture now requires that food products sold on school property during the school day meet federal nutrition guidelines.
The Department of Human Services has adopted amendments to the Part concerning the conduct and disciplinary policies at its residential school facilities.
The State Board of Education ("SBE") has adopted amendments to the regulations governing Transitional Bilingual Education in order to implement English language development standards in elementary education. 23 Ill. Adm. Code 228 (eff. Sept. 29, 2014).
Section 5 of the School Code, regarding state approval of payment of tuition and related services for disabled children attending special education programs, has been revised to include approval instructions for certain special needs programs serving autistic children.
The State Board of Education has amended Article 21 of the School Code to comply with new state law regarding educator certification. 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25 (eff. May 6, 2014).
School superintendents, assistant superintendents, and directors of special education with at least two years of experience relevant to the role of a principal are now permitted to mentor principal candidates. 23 Ill. Adm. Code 30 (eff. May 6, 2014).
Public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools are eligible to receive school safety grants through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. 29 Ill. Adm. Code 310 (eff. Dec. 19, 2013).
The Illinois State Board of Education adopted amendments effective October 2, 2013, that implement new requirements for individuals seeking endorsements for elementary and middle school education. 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.
The Illinois Department of Human Services recently adopted amendments affecting Illinois special education programs and their accompanying services. 89 Ill. Adm. Code 765.
Under the Right to Privacy in the School Setting Act, it is now unlawful for a post-secondary school to request a student's password or other account information for the purpose of accessing that student's social networking account or profile unless the school reasonably believes that the account contains evidence of a school disciplinary rule violation by the student.
Law enforcement drills involving evacuations or reverse-evacuations will now only consist of shooting incidents and will be geared towards preparing school personnel, and not students. 105 ILCS 128/20.
The legislature has enacted a moratorium of one year, from April 1, 2013 until April 1, 2014, on "the establishment of charter schools with virtual-schooling components" in school districts not organized under Article 34 of the Act. 105 ILCS 5/27.
Illinois lawmakers have amended the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act to require new sex education curricula in schools. 105 ILCS 110/3.
Starting July 1, 2013, public community colleges will need to maintain a lower in-district tuition and fee rate to qualify for state equalization grants. 110 ILCS 805/2-16.02.
The Illinois School Code and Juvenile Court Act of 1987 have been amended to alter the requirements for reporting students' court records to their schools.
Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1), requiring all public school districts and registered nonpublic schools to make immunization records publicly available by December 1 of each year.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a school district breaches its duty of care when it gives false information to another district about a teacher's sexual misconduct.
Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code to enable school boards to suspend or expel students for committing gross disobedience or misconduct using electronic means. (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6).
The Illinois School Code has been amended to allow school districts to increase driver education course fees to an amount not exceeding $250. (105 ILCS 5/27-24.2).
Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code to require school districts to provide certain criminal record check results and Statewide Sex Offender Database check results that it obtained within the past year upon request. (105 ILCS 5/10-21.9, 5/34-18.5)
The Liquor Control Act of 1934 has been amended to allow the issuance or renewal of alcoholic liquor sale licenses for retail premises located within 100 feet of schools under certain conditions. 235 ILCS 5/6-11.
Illinois lawmakers have amended the Medical School Matriculate Criminal History Records Check Act to allow medical schools to hire private entities to check the criminal history records of matriculates. (110 ILCS 57/10; 110 ILCS 57/15).
