Thanks so much for being here and for following our blog! We’re making a change, and this blog will no longer be updated.
Don’t worry, you can still find all of our latest news, updates, resources, and helpful information on
Readers Choice
August 2019
Latest from Special Education Law Insights
ISBE Releases Revised RTO Guidance
The Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) recently released revised guidance on physical restraint, time out, and isolated time out (“RTO”) in schools. The Permanent Regulations for the Use of Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint: FAQ were
Fifty Years of IDEA
Fifty years ago, millions of children with disabilities were excluded from public education. Today, how far have we come—and where do we go next?
On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
ISBE Releases Guidance Document on Residential Placements
ISBE released a guidance document on residential placements, Guidance on PA 95-0844 and PA 95-0938. The document answers frequently asked questions related to residential placements of general education and special education students, as well as students who are placed
Senate Bill 3606 Extends Reimbursement Eligibility for Public Special Education Programs
On May 23, 2024, Senate Bill 3606 (“SB 3606”) passed both houses. If signed into law by Governor Pritzker, SB 3606 will amend the Children with Disabilities Article of the Illinois School Code to provide for expanded state reimbursement opportunities
Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter Provides Updated AT Device Guidance
On January 22, 2024, the United States Department of Education (“USDOE”) issued a Dear Colleague Letter regarding supporting students with disabilities who require assistive technology (“AT”) in order to receive meaningful access to their education. In conjunction with the Dear
OCR and DOJ Issue Joint Letter Addressing Online Accessibility in Higher Ed
On May 19, 2023, the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Justice Department (DOJ) issued a joint letter addressing barriers that college students with disabilities face while accessing online services, programs, and activities—an issue that has
New Amendments to Illinois Special Education Regulations Increase Translation Accommodations for Parents and Guardians
As part of its ongoing efforts to increase inclusivity towards non-native English speakers in the academic setting, the Illinois State Board of Education amended its special education regulations to expand access to interpreters and translated documents. These changes, which went
Important Upcoming Restraint, Time Out, and Isolated Time Out Deadlines
As the 2022-2023 school year draws to a close, the deadline to submit Physical Restraint, Time Out and Isolated Time Out (RTO) Plans for the 2023-2024 school year, as well as progress reports for the 2022-2023 school year, is fast
U.S. Supreme Court Rules That IDEA Exhaustion Requirements Do Not Preclude Money Damages Under The ADA
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a deaf student in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, 143 S. Ct. 81 (U.S. 2022), where the Court held that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) exhaustion requirement does not