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Illinois Life Span Program

Special Education Resources

Last Updated May 2025

This Fact Sheet is available for download in the following languages:

Quick reference

  • Getting services started → Call your local Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC): contact information below
  • Legal rights or discrimination → Contact Equip for Equality 866-KIDS-7046 (866-543-7046)
  • Mediation or complaints → Call ISBE at (866) 262-6663
  • IEP questions or behavior issues → PTIC webinars and guides can help

When children with disabilities need additional assistance to benefit from their public-school education, they may qualify for additional services from their local school district. These services may fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. School districts are required to identify and evaluate students in their area and provide them with a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE). The topic of Special Education can prompt many questions from parents and students. It is important to know what these special education laws provide and what your child’s rights are under these laws.

Note that as of this update’s writing, federal funding for some of these organizations/programs is uncertain. We will update the information as it becomes available. Visit our website for updated Fact Sheets as the funding decisions are made. The Arc of Illinois Fact Sheets – Illinois Life Span Program

Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIC)

Parent Training and Information Centers can:

  • Assist parents of children with disabilities to be informed participants in the special education process
  • Assist students with disabilities to understand their rights and responsibilities
  • Supply information to teachers and other professionals who provide special education and related services to children with disabilities

Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center (FMPTIC)

  • FMPTIC is the resource available for the entire state after October 1, 2025
  • Phone number: 866-4FMPTIC (866-436-7842)
  • Website: www.fmptic.org
  • FMPTIC also hosts webinars and other virtual events available statewide

Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)

  • FRCD previously served as a Parent Training and Information Center for the Chicago area
  • Phone number: 312-939-3513
  • Website: www.frcd.org

Other Special Education Supports

Equip for Equality

  • Equip for Equality is the Protection and Advocacy Agency for people with disabilities in Illinois.
  • They provide help with special education rights and responsibilities through the information available on their website, trainings, and a Special Education Help Line 866-KIDS-7046 (866-543-7046)
  • Website: https://www.equipforequality.org/issues/special-education/  

GAC Special Education Initiative (Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission)

  • Answers and assistance for individuals and parents throughout the state regarding Special Education. 
  • Their website provides links for training and to request assistance. 
  • Website: SPED (illinois.gov)

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)

Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

  • Some CILs have special education or IEP support available, but this differs from CIL to CIL.
  • You can find the CIL that serves your area at www.incil.org.

Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP)

The Arc@School

Loyola University Law School Stand Up For Each Other (SUFEO) Chicago

  • This student-run organization provides free information and services for K-12 students facing suspension, bullying, or exclusion from school. SUFEO law students operate a helpline, supervised by attorneys in the Civitas Child Law Clinic.
  • After a brief intake, SUFEO can provide information, referrals, advice, and, in some cases, representation for K-12 students in school-based meetings, on issues such as suspension appeals, bullying complaints and investigations, safety planning meetings, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) and records appeals. 

Finding an Advocate or Special Education Lawyer

It is particularly important to thoughtfully consider your advocacy choices.

See the following for advice on How to Choose a Lay Advocate in Special Education. Guidelines for Choosing a Lay Advocate in Special Education

Advocates can be found using the following resources:

Q: “How do I prepare for an IEP meeting?”

A: Start by reviewing your child’s current IEP (if one exists), recent progress reports, and any concerns you have noticed at home or through teacher communication. Write down questions you have — for example, “Are my child’s goals realistic and measurable?” or “Why aren’t we seeing more progress in reading?” You can also bring samples of your child’s work or a list of what is working and what is not.

Reach out to your Parent Training and Information Center (FMPTIC or FRCD) for help reviewing documents or understanding your rights. You are allowed to bring someone with you for support — a friend, advocate, or professional.

Q: “What if I disagree with a team decision in the IEP?”

A: ISBE recommends you make a request for an informal meeting with your school. If that meeting does not result in a successful solution, then call a formal IEP meeting. Document everything discussed in the meeting.

Q: “How can I file a complaint if my school district is not following IDEA guidelines?”

A: Who to Contact: Contact the ISBE mediation coordinator at the following: (866) 262-6663 (toll-free for parents) or (217) 782-5589.

Mediation Request Form: You can find the Mediation Request Form on ISBE’s website or request it by calling the ISBE Special Education Division at (217) 782-5589 or (866) 262-6663.

How to Submit: Once you have the Mediation Request Form, you can submit it by email, mail, or fax to the ISBE’s Special Education Department.

  • Email: statemediation@isbe.net
  • Mail: Illinois State Board of Education, Special Education Department, 100 North First Street, N-253, Springfield, IL 62777-0001
  • Fax: (217) 782-0372

Q: “If mediation is not successful, your next option is to file a complaint with ISBE.”

Q: “My child’s school district will not return my calls, who can I get to listen?”

A: Regional Office of Education – Click this link to find your local office: https://apps.isbe.net/ELISAPP/Pages/Public/MessageCenterMap.html

Q: “I cannot find a copy of my child’s IEP. How can I get one?”

A: You should contact your child’s case manager at school to request a copy, or you can call your school district’s special education coordinator/director to get a copy.

Q: “How long should I keep my child’s IEP after they graduate?”

A: Keep the most recent evaluation and IEP FOREVER! Your school is required to keep the IEP records for 60 years (section 4 of the IL School Student Record Act); however, you cannot rely on this.

Q: “I rarely hear from my child’s regular education teachers, what can I do?”

A: Consider requesting an addendum to the IEP that states regular education teachers make bi-monthly or monthly contact (if they are in high school/middle school) or at the elementary level, request weekly or bi-weekly contact. Be flexible in the contact method. In elementary school, another option would be weekly progress reports via planner or other mutually agreeable method.

Q: “My child’s special education teacher is afraid to speak up about the services my child is/is not getting. What can I do?”

A: Schedule a phone conference with the teacher, in advance of the IEP meeting, to prepare yourself to advocate for your child’s needs and services.

Mini glossary of acronyms

•   FAPE: Free and Appropriate Public Education

•   IEP: Individualized Education Plan

•   PLOP: Present Levels of Performance

•   MDR: Manifestation Determination Review

•   IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

•   EI: Early Intervention

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