Peoria Standard

State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) introduced a bill amending the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code, SB1821, which he discussed during the Senate Education Committee hearing.

The bill, which would amend the School Code, creates a COVID-19 post-secondary transition recovery eligibility for children with disabilities.

Koehler said that the bill “helps with special needs students regarding their 22nd birthday.”

Notably, there were clarifications sought by Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) in terms of funds and logistics, which Koehler answered.

“The amendment fixes this,” Koehler told Rezin. “Makes it so that funds are available through the COVID relief bill.

Rezin requested further information about the logistics with how the students will be reintegrated back into the system. She wanted “more clarity; logistically ... how is this going to work?”

“This is what we’re working on — to make sure that clarity is there,” Koehler replied. “I think this will be worked out. I’ll certainly pass this on to committee members.”

SB1821 states “that eligible students who reached or will reach their 22nd birthday between March 17, 2020 and the end of the 2021-2022 school year shall be afforded the option of extending the student's eligibility through the end of the 2021-2022 school year to provide the student with an opportunity to participate in post-secondary transition activities and services and pursue the goals under the student's most recent individualized education program. Sets forth provisions regarding the extension of eligibility.”

An amendment to the bill included: “The costs of the extended post-secondary transition services provided under subsection (b) of this Section may be funded through available federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated to the State of Illinois."

Three members of the Senate Education Committee did not vote for the bill, including Committee Chair Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Centreville), yet the SB1821 advanced out of the committee with 12 affirmative votes.