IL HR0088

Urges the General Assembly to amend The School Code of Illinois to require the Illinois State Board of Education to establish criteria, standards, and competencies for bilingual language interpreters at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.

Addresses the barrier that parents with limited English proficiency face in meaningfully participating in IEP meetings due to lack of professional interpretation services.

Notes that Illinois has established qualifications and standards for interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing, but has not done so for language interpreters serving non-English speaking parents.

Highlights that interpretation services for limited English proficiency parents vary widely across the state and are often provided by unqualified individuals without proper training, language proficiency verification, or knowledge of special education terminology.

Seeks to ensure parents with limited English proficiency have equal opportunities to comprehend and participate in IEP meetings on the same footing as English-speaking parents and parents who are deaf or hard of hearing.