Changes to Illinois Teacher Certifications

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. [ to top of second column]	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]
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 $1