IL HB5241

Applies to school districts with populations over 500,000 inhabitants, requiring principals and IEP team members to determine special education staffing needs based on IEP minutes, least restrictive environment status, scheduling protocols, and other relevant factors.

Mandates school boards provide full staffing once staffing levels are set and fund the total cost of each special education position including salaries and benefits.

Prohibits school boards from reducing special education staffing levels in schools where general staffing is below 90% of the state average, and restricts reduction criteria to special education-related factors only.

Allows school boards to require more efficient staff scheduling if it does not impair general education program goals, including maintaining class sizes below 110% of state average and supporting professional development.

Prohibits school districts from banning measures that would prevent adding services to IEPs or creating time restrictions on service additions, and prevents computer systems from automatically removing services without IEP team approval.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.