Lake County teaching certificate current?

The Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools urges all Lake County teachers to be sure their Illinois teaching certificates are currently registered. On Aug. 26, 2011 Public Act 097-0607 was signed into law. It significantly changes when a teaching certificate is considered “lapsed.” The new law requires a certificate to be lapsed six months after the last registration year. An educator may not teach in any position requiring certification under a lapsed certificate. To reinstate the lapsed certificate, the educator is required to complete nine semester college credit hours in an area of endorsement on their certificate or pay a $500 penalty fee. Educators may verify their credentials through the Illinois State Board of Education’s Educator Certification System at www.isbe.net/ecs or by contacting their serving Regional Office of Education (ROE). Contact the Lake County ROE at (847) 543-7833.