Illinois Special Education Teacher Guide

Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Illinois: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Illinois guide.

How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Illinois

Special education professional development is urgently needed in Illinois — of the roughly 4,000 unfilled teaching positions in the state, over 1,360 are for special education teachers, making it one of the most in-demand careers in the country. NASET — the National Association of Special Education Teachers — is here to help Illinois educators meet that demand. Illinois uses the Professional Educator License (PEL) system, overseen by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), with specialized endorsements for special education teachers. For a broader look at how Illinois compares nationally, see NASET’s complete state-by-state special education guide.

To earn your Illinois teaching certificate, you’ll need to:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Complete a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), including student teaching
Pass the ILTS (Illinois Licensure Testing System) content exam for your endorsement area
Pass the Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) exam
Pass a background check
Apply for your Professional Educator License (PEL) through ISBE’s ELIS system
Illinois offers two key special education endorsements: Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I), the most common, and specialist endorsements for Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Vision Impaired, and Early Childhood Special Education

Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to almost 80 CTLE-eligible PD courses!

Continuing Education & License Renewal in Illinois

All Illinois PELs are valid for 5 years. To renew, teachers must complete 120 hours of special education professional development through an ISBE-approved provider every 5 years.

Eligible renewal activities include:

Coursework from ISBE-approved special education professional development providers
Graduate-level collegiate study
District-approved professional development programs
Workshops, seminars, and online courses from approved providers

NASET is an approved Illinois professional development provider through ROE #45. Illinois educators submit their certificates of completion directly to mmccormick@roe45.net to have hours recorded. All NASET certifications, courses, and webinars count toward your Illinois PEL renewal. Whether you need to log hours or earn a new credential, the NASET course store offers a full catalog of ISBE-eligible courses built specifically for special educators.

NASET members gain access to study resources, publications, and a professional community that makes navigating Illinois’s renewal process significantly easier.

Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education, which is the gold standard credential for sped teachers nationwide!

Special Education Teacher Salary in Illinois

Salary Overview:

Average statewide salary: ~$62,500
Average Chicago salary: ~$63,702
Salary range: $50,100 – $77,663 (25th–90th percentile)
Top earners: up to $84,201 annually
Chicago Public Schools benefits include health insurance, pension, and professional development stipends

Job Market:

20,700+ special education teachers statewide across 4,453 public schools
1 in 6 Illinois public school students has an IEP, above the national average of 13%
Over 1,360 special education positions were unfilled in the most recent IARSS shortage report
Illinois invested $120 million in Teacher Vacancy Grants to recruit and retain educators
Special education professional development is consistently among the highest-demand endorsement areas in the state

IEPs in Illinois

Illinois follows federal IDEA requirements for all Individualized Education Programs. Key facts for Illinois special education teachers:

IEPs must be reviewed annually
Over half of Illinois students with disabilities spend 80%+ of their day in general education classrooms, making strong IEP skills essential
Special education teachers must actively participate in IEP development, meetings, and implementation

Strong IEP writing is a cornerstone of quality special education professional development. NASET’s Assessment in Special Education Series provides in-depth guidance on evaluation methods, eligibility determination, and data-driven instruction — all directly applicable to Illinois’ IEP and licensure requirements. NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country resource also offers real-world IEP examples across different states and settings.

Earning NASET certifications is one of the most effective ways to boost your earning potential, so become a member today and start building your credentials.

Key Resources for Illinois Special Education Teachers

State Resources:

Advance Your Career With NASET!

NASET is the leading professional organization for special education teachers in the United States, and Illinois educators are among the most engaged in the NASET community.

NASET Membership gives you unlimited access to special education professional development resources, publications, job boards, and ISBE-approved courses everything an Illinois special education teacher needs in one place.

The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) certification through NASET is among the most respected forms of special education professional development available, counting directly toward your Illinois PEL renewal hours. Explore the full suite of credentials at NASET Certifications.

Whether you’re earning your LBS I endorsement, sharpening your IEP skills, or building toward advanced certification, NASET is your partner for every stage of your special education career in Illinois.

Become a NASET Member | Get BCSE Certified

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