![Education services extended for special needs students Education services extended for special needs students](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img-JB-Southside-Occ-Acad-0728-lTYCdN-1024x574.jpeg)
Education services extended for special needs students
By PETER HANCOCK
Capitol News Illinois
phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD – Students with special needs will be able to finish their last year of high school regardless of when their birthday falls on the calendar, while those who lost a year or more of in-person schooling due to the pandemic and have since aged out of special education eligibility will be given another year to complete their schooling.
Those changes are the result of two bills Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law Wednesday while also announcing a $200 million investment of federal funds to expand the state’s early childhood education workforce.
“Here in Illinois, our current special education law aligns with federal requirements,” Pritzker said at one bill signing ceremony in Chicago. “But if you believe a student has the right to stay in the classroom and not be yanked out on an arbitrary day that happens to be their birthday, our current laws just haven’t been good enough.”
Under federal law, students with special needs who have an individualized educational program, or IEP, are entitled to receive special education services through age 21. For many, that means their access to education services ends on the day before their 22nd birthday, regardless of where that date falls on the school calendar.
“They’ve been forced to leave their school, a place of growth, a place of comfort,” said Joshua Long, principal at Southside Occupational Academy High School in Chicago, a transition school for special needs students aged 16 to 22. “And they’ve had to leave on some arbitrary day before their 22nd birthday, and then transition to their home, where they wait for up to 10 years for services as an adult with disabilities.”
House Bill 40, by Chicago Democrats Rep. Fran Hurley and Sen. Bill Cunningham, changes that law in Illinois so that when those students turn 22, they can complete the school year and graduate at the same time as their other classmates. The new law takes effect immediately.
“This bill has a huge impact on our young adults and all families as it will facilitate a smooth transition as they exit the school system,” said Anita Barraza, the parent of a special needs student. “Allowing them to stay will extend their ability to continue developing valuable life skills.”
Pritzker also signed House Bill 2748, which allows special education students who turned 22 while in-person instruction was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic to remain eligible for services through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
“The intent of this bill is really to regain some of that learning that was lost because of circumstances created by the pandemic,” said Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, the lead sponsor of the bill in the House. “Zoom classes were particularly difficult for this cohort of students and their families, and they were left with less options as a result. So this bill will extend that and give more opportunities to students to regain some of that learning loss, just like is going to happen for every other student in general education.”
Later in the day, Pritzker signed another education-related bill while also announcing that the state would invest $200 million of federal funds to provide additional training, mentorships and scholarships to bolster the state’s early childhood education workforce over the next two years.
Of that money, about $120 million will go toward financial support, including scholarships, to encourage child care workers to pursue advanced credentials, according to the governor’s office. Part of the money will also provide coaches, mentors and navigators with resources to help child care workers pursue their degrees.
“We are improving the lives of children across our state by giving them a new level of quality care by upskilling our early childhood workforce,” Pritzker said in a statement Wednesday. “We are providing educational opportunity for 5,600 people to earn degrees that will advance their careers. And we are advancing our pandemic economic recovery. All of these investments will pay dividends for years to come.”
House Bill 2878, by Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, D-Chicago, also seeks to bolster the state’s early childhood education workforce by establishing a consortium among higher education institutions to develop ways that make it easier for child care workers to complete degree programs.
Under the bill, people who earn credentials as an early childhood educator as part of an associate’s degree program from a community college will automatically become eligible to transfer as a junior to a bachelor’s degree program at a public university.
“Ultimately, upskilling the incumbent early childhood workforce fosters racial, gender, geographic, and economic equity while enabling families to work, go to school and provide a safe and high quality environment for children to learn and grow,” Pacione-Zayas said in a statement. “They are the workforce behind the workforce who held us together during the pandemic. This new law will dismantle barriers and streamline pathways for diverse early childhood professionals to meet educational goals and foster economic stability.”
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Local News
![STRAZ MARCH 1 Palos Heights Mayor Bob Straz thanks residents from his community for getting through the toughest times of the pandemic at Tuesday’s meeting. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/STRAZ-MARCH-1-1024x864.jpg)
Return to normalcy, war and gas prices draw Palos Heights council’s interest
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Heights City Council had plenty to do Tuesday night when it came to decisions and votes on city matters. But it also took some time out to talk about world concerns. On the day masks became optional indoors in Illinois – signifying a possible return to normal –…
![CONCERT Robert Bartko, the lead singer of the George Michael Reborn group, played at the Orland Park Concert Series last summer. The series will return in 2022. Photo courtesy of the Village of Orland Park](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CONCERT-683x1024.jpeg)
Orland Park officials see concert series making money in coming years
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Orland Park Concert Series will be a go for 2022 and village officials know there will be some money lost on the deal but think the payoffs will come in future years. The board of trustees unanimously approved a three-concert series package for this year at Centennial Park West…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
Dylan Jacobs off and running — fast — to start to ND track season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Dylan Jacobs is amazed, but not surprised, that Sandburg’s cross country and track programs have produced three runners who have each run a mile in under four minutes. Jacobs became the third on Jan. 22. The Orland Park native, a senior at Notre Dame, broke the magical four-minute…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
Shooting woes doom Lyons in sectional champ game loss to Whitney Young
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent For Lyons coach Meghan Hutchens, it was like a watching a nightmare end to a dream season. Hutchens thought back to the 2010-11 men’s college basketball season, when Butler stormed to the NCAA national championship game only to struggle mightily on offensive in a 53-41 loss to Connecticut. “Nobody…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
Brother Rice falls to Bloom in regional title game
Spread the loveCrusaders players eye big things in 2022-23 By Steve Millar Correspondent Early in the third quarter of the Class 4A Brother Rice Regional championship game, the host Crusaders — who had trailed Bloom by as many as 12 — took a four-point lead. Playing in front of a raucous home crowd led by…
![manteno polar plunge 2022 - Copy manteno polar plunge 2022 - Copy](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/manteno-polar-plunge-2022-Copy-1024x256.png)
Bridgeview, Burbank police ready for Polar Plunge
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Bridgeview Police Officer Josh Brander and some of his colleagues can’t wait to go swimming Saturday. No, it’s not in the warm comfort of a YMCA swimming pool or a local hotel. This will happen outside. On March 5. In Northern Illinois. It’s not exactly swimming weather, which is why…
![dvn lyons village board Lyons Finance Director Dan Denys has stepped down. (File photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/dvn-lyons-village-board-1024x601.jpg)
Denys steps down as finance director in Lyons
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Lyons is looking for a new finance director. Citing more demands with other municipalities he works for, Dan Denys has stepped down from the job in Lyons, Mayor Christopher Getty said. Denys, of Naperville, was not in a full-time position in Lyons, but has been the finance director since May…
![Patch gold clean Willow Springs PD patch](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Patch-gold-clean.bmp)
Willow Springs police release year in review report
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Willow Springs Police Chief Jim Ritz recently released the department’s 2021 Year in Review Report. The report, which was presented to Mayor Melissa Neddermeyer and the Willow Springs Village Board, is an overview of the programs, activities, accomplishments, and statistics that highlight their achievements last year. In the report, Ritz stated…
![IMG_0016 Forest View Village Clerk Laura McGuffey swears in Steven Stelter as Police Chief. (Photo by Carol McGowan)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_0016-768x1024.jpg)
Forest View swears in new police chief
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Village of Forest View has a new police chief. Steven Stelter was sworn in by Clerk Laura McGuffey at the February 22 village board meeting. Stelter comes with an extensive career in law enforcement. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1979, where he was in the military…
![dvn copa mariachi1 Mitzi Blanco and Julio Roa (center), of Copa Mariachi, with Emilio Herrera of JAG Sportswear are bringing an international soccer tournament to Bridgeview this summer. (Photo by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dvn-copa-mariachi1-1024x1011.jpg)
International soccer tournament coming to Bridgeview
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Thirty-two soccer teams from North, Central and South America will be at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this summer, vying for their share of a $100,000 prize. Copa Mariachi Chicago will be played at the stadium June 4 and 5. The winning team will get $80,000, and the second-place team pockets…
Neighbors
![1 Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri. (Supplied photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1-1024x576.jpg)
Shepard’s yearbook wins national recognition
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School students have worked tirelessly to create a yearbook for this academic year that was nationally recognized. The high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri.…
![reporter 6-24-24 dean faulk mugshot Dean J. Faulk](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-24-24-dean-faulk-mugshot.bmp)
Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam A 32-year-old Hickory Hills man has been charged with first-degree murder in the June 21 death of his 90-year-old grandfather. Dean J. Faulk was charged on June 22 with the June 21 murder of Dean L. Faulk. Police said they responded to a call at 9:45 a.m. June 21 at…
![1 On June 8, Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1-1-1024x683.jpg)
Orland Park Public Library kicks off summer
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Summer is nearly here and the Orland Park Public Library is ready for it. On June 8, the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. “There are multiple interpretations to this theme,” Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager at the Orland…
![dvn 6-24-24 porfirio honored State Senator Mike Porfirio being recognized as the Senator of the Year by representatives of the Illinois VFW. (Supplied photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-porfirio-honored-1024x683.jpg)
llinois VFW names Porfirio Senator of the Year
Spread the loveIllinois Veterans of Foreign Wars recently selected state Senator Mike Porfirio as the Senator of the Year. “I’m deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from the Illinois VFW,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I am committed to ensuring our veterans receive the protections, care and dignity they deserve. This recognition is a testament…
![CRRNH_NiegoStory_062624 Thanks to Niego Real Estate, block after block in Clearing and Garfield Ridge are decked out each year in red, white and blue. Residents are asked to volunteer to pick up flags and decorate their whole block—or even additional blocks. --Supplied photo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CRRNH_NiegoStory_062624-768x1024.jpg)
Niego Real Estate salutes America again
Spread the love. Popular flag program underway . By Tim Hadac Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents who want to decorate their blocks in red, white and blue this Independence Day are encouraged to contact Niego Real Estate and reserve a supply of U.S. flags at no charge. The popular program to promote patriotism and community…
![dvn 6-24-24 Alan_Morales Alan Morales](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-Alan_Morales.jpg)
Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding
Spread the loveExecutive director accused of harassment From staff reports The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…
![PeggyZabicki Peggy Zabicki](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PeggyZabicki-1024x768.jpg)
Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
![MaryStanek Mary Stanek](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MaryStanek-768x1024.jpg)
Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…