IL SB0650

School districts, joint agreements, and regional superintendents may petition the State Board of Education to waive or modify School Code mandates and administrative rules if they can address the intent more effectively, efficiently, economically, or to stimulate innovation and improve student performance.

Waivers cannot be requested for special education, teacher licensure, teacher tenure and seniority, Section 5-2.1, No Child Left Behind Act compliance, or mandates requiring student performance data in teacher evaluations or the 4-category rating system (excellent, proficient, needs improvement, unsatisfactory).

Applicants must hold a public hearing and notify collective bargaining agents and state legislators at least 7 days before the hearing; school districts must post hearing information on their website 14 days prior and publish notice in local newspapers 7 days prior.

The State Board of Education has 45 days to review waiver or modification requests; if not disapproved within 45 days, the waiver is deemed granted; disapproved requests may be appealed to the General Assembly, which has 60 days to disapprove by majority record vote.

Approved waivers or modifications (except physical education mandates) remain effective for up to 5 school years and may be renewed; approved physical education waivers remain effective for up to 2 school years and may be renewed no more than 2 times.