Legal Reference Guide & Database

Summary

Grants under this program are available for: a) Training to familiarize youth and adults with basic skills needed to access and utilize computers, common computer applications programs (e.g., word processing) and the Internet; b) vocational skills training relating to information technology occupations; c) access to career related information, employment opportunities, and related search capabilities available through the Internet; d) computerized instruction in: 1) basic literacy skill; 2) GED preparation; and 3) English as a second language instruction; e) before and after school programs for youth for academic enrichment and reinforcement; f) computer skills training and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses; g) distance learning and video conferencing; h) access to assistive technology for disabled populations; i) professional development for teachers; and j) promotion of home access to computers.

Applicability

This grant applies to State educational agencies and local educational agencies, provided that a local educational agency or public or private educational agency or organization must provide computer access and educational services using information technology to the public at one or more of its educational buildings or facilities at least 12 hours each week.

Summary

Establishes a competitive grant program to support the development or enrichment of computer science programs in K-12 schools through: (1) Expanded learning opportunities in grades K-12 to ensure that all students have access to computer science coursework that is aligned to rigorous State standards and emerging labor market needs; (2) Training and retraining of teachers of grades K 12 to be more proficient in the teaching of computer science by providing professional development opportunities; (3) Supplying classrooms with materials and equipment related to the teaching and learning of computer science; and (4) More effective recruitment and better service to K-12 learners who are underrepresented in the computer science labor market for enrollment in computer science coursework. Priority consideration for all applications will be given to proposals that intend to serve a majority of learners or teachers with gender or racial/ethnic identities that are underrepresented in the computer science labor market.

Applicability

Eligible entities are regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, State higher education institutions, schools designated as laboratory schools, and school districts.

Summary

Makes grants available for public schools to assist with feasibility studies in training green economy technology, and in the installation of renewable systems, including wind energy systems, smart grid technology, etc.

Applicability

Public schools and community colleges are eligible to receive grants from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Summary

A special fund created as a non-appropriated trust fund within the State treasury that provides that excess moneys in the fund may be provided as grants to Illinois schools to purchase computers and upgrade technology, provide grants to support career and technical education on incubators, accelerators, innovation research, technology transfer, and programs that provide training, support, and resources to technology businesses that promote job growth and venture capital environments in underserved communities.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

The State Board of Education administers a School Technology Revolving Loan Program for the purpose of making technology hardware improvements affordable and integrating technology in the classroom. Loans are available for the purpose of making technology hardware investments for students and staff of eligible applicants, such as: expenditures for the establishment of local and wide area networks; network hardware; supplies and cost of labor for electrical work; hardware necessary for staff development and classroom instruction; staff development related to the integration of technology; and other technology hardware investments directly relating to technology.

Applicability

Eligible applicants are: public school districts, charter schools, area vocational centers, laboratory schools, and State-recognized, non-public schools

Summary

E-learning Days may be utilized for remote and blended remote learning days.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

Proposals for e-learning programs must contain provisions designed to accomplish: (i) ensure and verify at least 5 clock hours of instruction; (ii) ensure access from home or another appropriate remote facility for all students participating, including computers, Internet, and other forms of electronic communication; (iii) ensure that non-electronic materials are made available to students participating in the program who do not have access to required technology, or to participating teachers or students who are prevented from accessing the required technology; (iv) ensure appropriate learning opportunities for students with special needs; (v) verify each student’s electronic participation; (vi) address the extent to which student participation is within the student’s control as to time, pace, and means of learning; (vii) provide effective notice to students and their parents or guardians of the use of particular days for e-learning; (viii) provide staff and students with adequate training; (ix) ensure opportunity for collective bargaining negotiations with representatives of the district’s employees who would be affected in the event of an e-learning Day; (x) review and revise the program to address difficulties confronted; and (xi) ensure that protocol regarding general expectations and responsibilities of the program is communicated to teachers, staff, and students at least 30 days prior to utilizing an e-learning Day.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

School districts statewide are authorized to utilize “E Learning Days” in lieu of emergency days or because a school was selected to be a polling place. The School Code provides that five clock hours of instruction or school work are required for each student participating in an e-learning Day. Exceptions to the five-hour instructional day requirement are for students participating in dual credit, internships, youth apprenticeships, or blended learning programs. Before the adoption of the E-Learning Program, the school board must hold a public hearing on a school district’s proposal for an E-learning Program. Notice must be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing by (1) publication in a newspaper, (2) written or electronic notice designed to reach parents or guardians of all students in a school district; and (3) written or electronic notice designed to reach any exclusive collective bargaining representatives of school district employees and all those employees not in a collective bargaining unit. The school board’s approval of a school district’s initial E-learning Program and renewal of the E-learning Program shall be for a term of 3 years.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

Creates within the Department of Education, the Office of Educational Technology which shall support the overall national technology policy and provide leadership to the Nation in the use of technology, to increase opportunities for all students to achieve State content and challenging State student performance standards, and to review all programs and training functions by the Department and recommend policies in order to promote increased use of technology and technology planning.

Applicability

This law applies to the U.S. Department of Education and its Office of Educational Technology.

Summary

One of the duties of the Illinois P-20 Council, established to study and make recommendations concerning education at all levels, is to make recommendations for the short and long term actions needed to recover learning in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic including closing the digital divide for all students pertaining to access to devices, internet connectivity, and ensuring educators have the necessary support and training to provide high quality remote and blended learning to students.

Applicability

This law applies to the Illinois P-20 Council members.

Summary

The State Board of Education and Department of Human Services established a 3-year heroin and opioid drug prevention pilot program that offers educational materials regarding heroin and opioid abuse to all school districts. School districts may be reimbursed (subject to appropriation) by the Department of Human Services for any costs it incurs in connection with participation in the program. The program must use interactive teaching methods and technology to help students, parents and school staff understand the risks of drug use.

Applicability

This program applies to school districts voluntarily participating in the prevention program.

Summary

Given the advancement of technology in school districts, all school districts are encouraged to make available and use alternatives to dissection, when the alternatives are appropriate and can provide an educational experience that is equal or superior to the traditional use of dissection.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

School districts may, on a case-by-case basis, allow a student to take a portion of a driver’s education course through a distance learning program. Such decision must be approved by the school’s administration, including the driver education teacher and the parent/guardian. The student may not take the entire driver education course through a distance learning program.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

School districts may place students into a remote educational program pursuant to an adopted school board policy. A student may participate only after the school district and a person authorized to enroll the student determine that a remote educational program will best serve the student’s individual learning needs. A remote educational program is an educational program delivered to students in the home or other location outside of a school building that aligns to State learning standards, and the program is consistent with those given to students at the same level in the school district. Each student must have a written remote educational plan approved by the school district. The placement of a student in a remote educational program does not relieve the school district of the responsibility for ensuring the student will receive all programming and related services required by the IEP. This program does not include instruction delivered to students through an “E-Learning Program.”

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts.

Summary

Acceptance of bids for contracts may be permitted by an electronic process. The electronic process must provide the following safeguards: (i) On the date and time of bid opening, the person conducting the competitive, sealed, electronic bid process shall log onto a specified database using a unique username and password previously assigned to the bidder to allow access to the bidder’s specific bid project number. (ii) The electronic database must be on a network that: (1) is secured behind a firewall; (2) has specific encryption tools; (3) maintains intrusion detection systems; (4) has redundant systems architecture with data storage backup, whether by CD or tape; and (5) maintains a disaster recovery plan. Public Act 101-0632 amended this statute, which no longer prohibits bids for construction purposes from being communicated, accepted, or opened electronically.

Applicability

This law applies to all school boards.

Summary

When purchase of supplies and materials or work involves an expenditure in excess of $35,000, schools must award such contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. However, an exception to this rule includes: purchases and contracts for the use, purchase, delivery, movement, or installation of data processing equipment, software, or services and telecommunications and interconnect equipment, software, and services.

Applicability

This law applies to all school boards.

Summary

Any on-premises fixed telephones associated with a multi-line telephone system must ensure that “dispatchable location” information is conveyed with any 9-1-1 call made from such device. Any on- or off-premises, non-fixed devices associated with a multi-line system must also ensure that “dispatchable location” information is conveyed when technically feasible; otherwise, it shall provide dispatchable location based on end user manual update or alternative location information. “Dispatchable location” includes the street address of the caller, plus additional location information such as a suite, apartment, or similar information necessary to identify the location of the caller.

Applicability

This law applies to all multi-line telephone systems that are manufactured, sold, leased, or installed after February 16, 2020.

Summary

Effective February 16, 2020, any multi-line telephone system that is installed must be capable of direct dialing 9-1-1, without having to first dial an outside line.

Applicability

This law applies to all multi-line telephone systems that are manufactured, sold, leased, or installed after February 16, 2020.

Summary

School districts are not required to copy a public record that is published on the district’s website. School districts must notify the requester that the public record is available online and direct the requester to the website where the record can be reasonably accessed. If the requester is unable to reasonably access the online record, the requester may resubmit the request stating the inability to access the record, and the school district shall make the record available for inspection or copying.

Applicability

This law applies to all school districts maintaining a website.

Summary

A regional network of educational service centers shall be established by the State Board of Education to provide new services to schools. Services to be made available by such centers shall include the planning, implementation and evaluation of computer technology education.

Applicability

The State Board of Education is required to establish such networks, however, each Regional Office of Education, Immediate Service Center, and Chicago School District 299 shall ensure such services are provided.