ISBE ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE ON QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS AND EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR AND AMENDS SPECIAL EDUCATION REGULATIONS

The Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) recently issued a new Notification of Conference form and Guidance regarding qualified interpreters at IEP meetings, issued non-regulatory guidance on Extended School Year Services, and amended its special education regulations to conform to recent legislation.  New Notice of Conference Available and Qualified Interpreter Guidance Issued ISBE has issued…

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IDPH AND ISBE ISSUE NEW PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE SUPPORTING A RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION

On March 9, 2021, the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) and the Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) issued Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools. Through this guidance, IDPH and ISBE recommend and support a return to in-person instruction throughout Illinois as soon as practicable. To make this goal possible, the guidance lists certain…

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NEW SPECIAL EDUCATION REGULATIONS REQUIRE QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS AT IEP MEETINGS

Effective January 22, 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has adopted new regulations that require districts to provide “Qualified Interpreters” at IEP meetings to allow parents, whose native language is other than English, to meaningfully participate in the meeting. The regulations also require districts to give parents notice of the availability of interpretation…

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NEW MANDATE TO POST IMRF LINK ON DISTRICT WEBSITES

Beginning January 1, 2021, Illinois school districts and other local taxing bodies are required to post a link on their websites to the following URL:  https://www.imrf.org/en/about-imrf/transparency/employer-cost-and-participation-information This webpage is on the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (“IMRF”) website and contains information about all IMRF employers’ participation in the fund. Illinois Public Act 101-504, which was passed…

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NEW GUIDANCE EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT COLLABORATION

New guidance issued this week by the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) provides clarity on the role local health departments play in helping schools combat the spread of COVID-19 as they return to hybrid or full in-person instruction. While school districts should maintain consistent and open communication with their local health departments, here are…

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ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR A RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION

Recently, our firm issued a Priority Briefing regarding how schools should respond if and when staff or students test positive for COVID-19 or present with COVID-19 symptoms. On August 12 and 13, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued new guidance on these issues. Although much of the information remains the same, the new…

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