IEP Service Delivery in Illinois
How are IEP services delivered in Illinois?
Illinois IEPs must specify the projected beginning date, amount, frequency, location, and duration of each special education and related service, incorporating 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7) requirements by reference through 23 IAC §226.230(a). Services must be implemented within 10 school days of the date parent notice is provided; if implementation is delayed, the district must notify parents in writing within 3 school days of non-compliance and inform them of compensatory service procedures (23 IAC §226.220). Illinois requires that related service logs documenting the delivery and minutes of services be maintained for speech-language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, counseling, psychological, and nursing services, and made available to parents on request (23 IAC §226.310). Service providers must hold valid ISBE licensure appropriate to their role: teachers must hold a PEL with special education endorsement, and related service providers must hold the corresponding PEL support endorsement or applicable state license (23 IAC §226.800). Paraprofessionals must hold an educator license with stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional educator under 23 IAC §25.510, operate under direct supervision of a licensed teacher who must remain continuously aware of their activities, and may not substitute for licensed teachers or hold equivalent instructional responsibilities (23 IAC §1.630). The LRE continuum available in Illinois includes: (1) regular classes with supplementary aids and services, (2) special classes, (3) special schools, (4) home or hospital instruction (minimum 5 hours/week, deliverable in-person or via online platform as determined by the IEP team, for qualifying absences of 2 or more consecutive weeks), and (5) state-operated or nonpublic programs approved by ISBE; placement decisions must be based on individual need, not disability category or program availability (23 IAC §226.300).
What Illinois Requires
IEP must specify projected beginning date, amount, frequency, location, and duration for each special education and related service (23 IAC §226.230(a); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7))
Services must be implemented within 10 school days of parent notice; if delayed, written notice to parents required within 3 school days of non-compliance (23 IAC §226.220)
Related service logs for speech-language, OT, PT, social work, counseling, psychological, and nursing services must be maintained and provided to parents on request (23 IAC §226.310)
All special education teachers must hold a PEL with special education endorsement; related service providers must hold appropriate PEL support endorsement or state license (23 IAC §226.800)
Paraprofessionals must hold a PEL endorsed for paraprofessional educator and work under direct licensed-teacher supervision; may not substitute for licensed staff (23 IAC §1.630; 23 IAC §25.510)
Placement decisions must be based on individual need, not on disability category, administrative convenience, or current program configuration (23 IAC §226.300)
Home or hospital instruction requires a minimum of 5 hours per week (deliverable in-person or via online platform as determined by the IEP team) for medically qualifying absences of 2 or more consecutive weeks; services must begin within 5 school days of receiving physician's statement (23 IAC §226.300)
Nonpublic special education placements require ISBE approval within 10 days; district retains responsibility for tuition and IEP implementation (23 IAC §226.330; 105 ILCS 5/14-7.02)
Key Timelines
Within 10 school days of parent notice: IEP services must be implemented (23 IAC §226.220)
Within 3 school days of non-compliance with service start: written notice to parents about delay and compensatory services (23 IAC §226.220)
Within 5 school days of physician's statement: home/hospital instruction must begin (23 IAC §226.300)
Within 20 school days of IEP establishment or start of school year: parents must be notified of their right to request related service logs (23 IAC §226.310)