IEP Timelines in Illinois

What are the IEP timelines in Illinois?

Illinois special education law establishes numerous timelines governing the IEP process. For evaluations, the district must determine within 14 school days of receiving a referral whether an evaluation is warranted (23 IAC 226.110(a)). Once a parent signs consent on the domain review form, the district has 60 school days to complete the case study evaluation and eligibility determination (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02(b); 23 IAC 226.110(d)). If fewer than 60 school days remain in the school year, the eligibility determination and IEP must be completed before the first day of the following school year (23 IAC 226.110(d)). After eligibility is established, the IEP meeting must be held within 30 days (23 IAC 226.110(j)), and the approved IEP must be implemented within 10 school days (23 IAC 226.220). IEPs must be reviewed at least annually (34 CFR 300.324(b); 23 IAC 226.220). Reevaluations must occur at least every 3 years (triennial) but no more than once per year unless the parent and district agree (34 CFR 300.303). For meeting notification, written notice must be provided at least 10 days before the proposed meeting date (23 IAC 226.530(a)). For IEE requests, the district must respond within 5 days — either agreeing to fund or filing due process (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02), and must convene an IEP meeting within 10 days of receiving the IEE report (23 IAC 226.180(d)). For due process, complaints must be filed within 2 years of the alleged action; there is a 30-day resolution period, and the hearing must be completed within 45 days from the end of the resolution period (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02a; 34 CFR 300.515). Appeals to court must be filed within 120 days of the decision (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02a). Expedited hearings must be completed within 20 school days with a decision within 10 school days (23 IAC 226.655). State complaints must be resolved within 60 calendar days (23 IAC 226.570(c)). For home/hospital instruction, a minimum of 5 hours per week is required for students with medically necessary absences exceeding 2 consecutive weeks (23 IAC 226.300). Transition planning must begin at age 14.5 (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02).