SPRINGFIELD – School districts will now be required to provide resources and services for special education students who do not have a guardian under a new law backed by State Senator Rachel Ventura.

“This law was crafted to advocate for special high needs education students who do not have a guardian to petition schools to provide resources for them,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Everybody deserves an education that provides them the resources they need to succeed. We cannot in good conscience leave these students to fend for themselves if they need a specialized school to meet their needs so they can succeed.”

House Bill 4581 requires the school district where a special education student’s parent lives to provide adequate services and resources they need. The issue was brought to Ventura and State Representative Michelle Mussman’s attention after a student who had no legal guardian was denied services by their school district and was forced to move to another state.

“Here in Illinois, we are committed to providing the best education and support system to help our most vulnerable students succeed. Sometimes, that setting is a residential facility outside of their own school district. This corrects a gap in the law about student residency rules so that if a student turns 18 before finishing the school year, their out-of-district placement won't be interrupted unnecessarily,” said Mussman (D-Schaumburg). “This law is designed to provide continuity to high-need students who are going through critical academic, behavioral, and emotional transitions in highly specialized settings.”

House Bill 4581 was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.