Law

State of Illinois Public Act 101-0124:

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of Public Act 101-0124 (ilga.gov)

• This governs public education in the state. Part of that Act is Illinois Administration Code 23, Chapter 1 Part 226.800

Ill. Admin. Code tit. 23, § 226.800 - Personnel Required to be Qualified | State Regulations | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

• This provides for "qualified interpreters" at all IEP meetings between educators and parents throughout the state. The specific language of Administrative Code 23 (Section k) is excerpted at the bottom of this page for ease of reference. 

Illinois Administrative Code 23, Chapter 1 Part 226.800 (section k)

Qualified Interpreters

1) A qualified interpreter must:

A) Meet all employment eligibility requirements of the school district.

B) Demonstrate that they are competent to interpret into and out of the second language. An interpreter may demonstrate this competence by either:

i) Submitting documentation showing that they are certified or qualified through an interpreter certification program, such as the Illinois state courts' certification program, the federal courts' certification program, the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Alternatively, an interpreter may submit documentation showing that the interpreter has completed a certification or qualification program that meets or exceeds the minimum standards set forth in subsection (k) (1)(ii); or

ii) Completing a certification program that includes:

• A written and oral proficiency test and fluency in both English and the second language, except that individuals who have a Professional Educator License with Bilingual Endorsement are exempt from this requirement for the endorsed language;
• At least nine hours of training on interpreting in and out of English, interpretation standards of practice, sight translation, ethics, confidentiality, the role of the interpreter and role boundaries, respect, impartiality, professionalism, fundamentals of the effects of cultural differences on effective interpretation, and advocacy for communication. This training must include videos demonstrating proper and improper interpretation techniques; and
• A successful demonstration of knowledge of interpretation standards and techniques, and a successful completion of an oral examination to demonstrate proficiency to interpret in and out of English and consecutive or simultaneous interpreting.
  

C) Complete at least six hours of training on special education terminology and protocol, including successful completion of a written examination to demonstrate knowledge of such terminology and protocol, except that teachers with bilingual special education license endorsements, are exempt from this requirement. 

D) Receive training on the interpreter code of ethics adopted by ISBE, including successful completion of a written examination.

E) After completing the required training:

i) successfully complete, with a score of 80% or higher, a written examination to demonstrate knowledge of:

• special education terminology and protocol;
• interpretation standards and techniques; and
• interpretation ethics; and

ii) successfully complete an oral examination, with a score of 70% or higher, to demonstrate proficiency in:

• interpreting in and out of English, through consecutive or simultaneous interpreting; and
• sight translation

2) To maintain the designation of "Qualified Interpreter", an individual must, at least once every two years, participate in at least six hours of ongoing professional development related to interpretation in the following categories:

A) Confidentiality.

B) Accuracy.

C) Impartiality.

D) Interpreter ethics and professionalism.

E) Cultural awareness.

F) Special Education processes.

G) Special Education vocabulary.

H) Language acquisition.