Multiple changes in teacher certifications in Illinois

[December 06, 2011]  The Logan-Mason-Menard Regional Office of Education provides the following information on some major changes occurring in the state of Illinois. Senate Bill 1799 has now become Public Act 97-0607. This law revises the requirements for certification, endorsement and assignment of teachers, school personnel and administrators. The below information is draft format only. The changes include the following:

Certification

Illinois will be moving to a new system of certification, to be called licensure, as well as raising the fees for application and renewal fees for certificates and endorsements (see chart).

Substitute teacher changes

• As of Aug. 26, there is no limit on the number of days a person can substitute teach in one school district.

• There is a limit of 90 days for a person with a sub license to sub for a teacher.

• There is a limit of 120 days for a teacher with a professional educator license to sub for a teacher.

• Retired certificate holders are limited to 100 days.

• People with lapsed certificates or licenses cannot substitute teach and may not apply for a substitute teaching certificate.

Lapsed certificates

• As of Aug. 26, a teacher whose certificate has expired and has not been renewed within six months of the expiration date will be considered to have a lapsed certificate and be required to complete nine semester hours before the certificate will be reinstated.

• The hours must be in the content area and cannot be pedagogical in nature or be applied toward another certificate or endorsement.

• All back fees will be required.

• If a certificate is lapsed, a teacher cannot be working or hold a position requiring a certificate.

Coursework

• All professional education and content-area coursework required for the issuance of a certificate, endorsement or approval must have passed with a grade no lower than a C or equivalent.

To renew your teaching certificate, go to www.isbe.net and log into your ECS account. You may also visit the Logan-Mason-Menard Regional Office of Education at 122 N. McLean St. in Lincoln or at the Mason County Courthouse, 125 N. Plum St. in Havana, or call the office at 217-732-8388 or 309-543-2192.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions or if the staff can be of any assistance.

[Text from file received from Logan-Mason-Menard Regional Office of Education 38]

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New fee structure

	Until Dec. 31, 2011	Jan 1, 2012	July 1, 2013	July 1, 2015
Certificates	$30	$75
Licenses			$75	$100
Endorsement	$30	$50	$50	$50
Registration	$5/year ($25/5 years)	$10/year ($50/5 years)	$10/year ($50/5 years)	$10/year ($50/5 years)
Out of state		$75	$150	$150