IL HB2859

School districts seeking to employ substitute teachers may rely on information in the Educator Licensure Information System rather than conducting their own criminal history records checks or sex offender database checks.

The State Board of Education must record in the Educator Licensure Information System for 90 days whether a substitute teacher applicant has been issued a background check clearance certificate by a regional superintendent.

Existing requirements for criminal history checks, sex offender database checks, and violent offender database checks for school employees remain in place and must be conducted once every 5 years for continuing employees.

Amendments apply to both regular school districts (Section 10-21.9) and school districts organized under different provisions (Section 34-18.5) with identical background check requirements and procedures.

The Act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.