Midwest · IL

Illinois special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: 105 ILCS 5/Art. 14; 23 Ill. Adm. Code 226. State education agency: Illinois State Board of Education.

Initial evaluation: 60 school days from written parental consent to determine eligibility and complete the IEP meeting; if fewer than 60 school days remain in the year, it must be done before the next school year starts.
Initial IEP meeting: The eligibility determination and the initial IEP meeting must both be completed within the same 60 school day window that starts at consent. (23 Ill. Adm. Code 226.110)
Annual review: At least once every 365 days (34 CFR § 300.324(b)(1)).
Reevaluation: At least every 3 years unless the parent and LEA agree it is unnecessary, and not more than once a year without agreement (34 CFR § 300.303).
Transition planning: Must be in effect by age 14.5, earlier than the federal age of 16.
Academic standards: Illinois Learning Standards
IEP forms & systems: No single statewide IEP platform; districts use vendor systems, and ISBE publishes recommended IEP forms.

Where Illinois differs from the federal baseline

Districts have 14 school days after a request to decide whether to evaluate (23 Ill. Adm. Code 226.110).
Transition planning must be in the IEP in effect when the student turns 14 1/2, earlier than federal age 16 (105 ILCS 5/14-8.03).
Illinois counts the evaluation window in school days, so summer and breaks do not run the clock.
Districts must give parents copies of evaluation reports and other written material to be discussed at least 3 school days before the IEP meeting.

01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 60 school days.
02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: The eligibility determination and the initial IEP meeting must both be completed within the same 60 school day window that starts at consent.
03PLAAFP includes measurable baselines and a statement of how the disability affects involvement in the general curriculum (34 CFR § 300.320(a)(1)).
04Each annual goal is measurable, with condition, behavior, criterion and measurement method (§ 300.320(a)(2)).
05Progress reporting schedule stated for each goal (§ 300.320(a)(3)).
06Transition goals and services in effect by age 14.5 where applicable.
07Prior Written Notice issued for every proposal or refusal, with all seven § 300.503(b) elements.
08Annual review scheduled within 365 days; reevaluation within 3 years.

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