Transition Age Rights in Illinois
What are the transition age rights for IEP students in Illinois?
Illinois requires transition planning to begin at age 14 and one-half (14.5), which is earlier than the federal IDEA requirement of age 16 (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02; 23 IAC 226.690). Beginning no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the student turns 14.5, the IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills (23 IAC 226.690). The IEP must also include the transition services needed to assist the student in reaching those postsecondary goals, including courses of study (23 IAC 226.690; 34 CFR 300.320(b)). The student must be invited to participate in all IEP meetings where transition is discussed, and if the student does not attend, the district must ensure the student's preferences and interests are considered (34 CFR 300.321(b)). When a student reaches age 14.5, the elementary school district must notify the high school district of the student's eligibility for special education services, and high school districts may admit students with disabilities into special educational facilities after the student has reached 14.5 years (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02). Agency representatives — such as the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS) — should be invited to IEP meetings when transition services may be provided or paid for by that agency, with parent or adult student consent (34 CFR 300.321(b)(3)). Beginning at age 17, the district must notify the parent and student that educational decision-making rights will transfer to the student at age 18 (23 IAC 226.690). Before the student exits special education — whether through graduation or aging out (day before the 22nd birthday, or end of the school year if the birthday falls during the year) — the district must provide a Summary of Performance (SOP) that documents the student's academic and functional performance levels, transition-related needs, and recommendations for meeting postsecondary goals (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3); 23 IAC 226.230). The SOP must be specific, meaningful, and understandable to the student. Illinois also encourages person-centered planning, self-determination, and interagency collaboration to support seamless transitions to postsecondary education, employment, and community participation.
What Illinois Requires
Transition planning begins at age 14.5 — earlier than the federal age 16 requirement (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02; 23 IAC 226.230(c))
IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals in training, education, employment, and independent living based on age-appropriate transition assessments (23 IAC 226.230(c))
IEP must include transition services and courses of study to help student reach postsecondary goals (23 IAC 226.230(c); 34 CFR 300.320(b))
Student must be invited to IEP meetings discussing transition; preferences and interests must be considered if student does not attend (34 CFR 300.321(b))
Elementary district must notify high school district of student's special education eligibility at age 14.5 (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02)
Agency representatives (e.g., DHS/DRS) invited to transition IEP meetings with parent/student consent (34 CFR 300.321(b)(3))
Notification of rights transfer at age 17; rights transfer to student at age 18 (23 IAC 226.690)
Summary of Performance required before exit from special education through graduation or aging out (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3))
SOP must document academic/functional performance, transition needs, and postsecondary goal recommendations (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3))
Key Timelines
Age 14.5: transition planning must be included in IEP (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02; 23 IAC 226.230(c))
Age 17: notification of rights transfer to student (23 IAC 226.690)
Age 18: educational decision-making rights transfer to student (23 IAC 226.690)
Before exit (graduation or aging out): Summary of Performance must be provided (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3))
Age 21 (day before 22nd birthday): eligibility ends, extended through end of school year if birthday during year (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02)