Conflict Resolution in Schools – Complaint Investigations

The Complaint Investigation is a process to file complaints with ISBE for use when the school district has not complied with the law or when the educational rights of you or your child have been violated by the school district.

The complaint investigation process involves filing a written complaint with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The ISBE will then resolve the issues in the complaint or launch an investigation, as needed.

How to access the process

A letter of complaint should be submitted to:

        Illinois State Board of Education
        Special Education Compliance Division
        100 North First Street
      Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001

This letter should include:

  1. The name of the student
  2. The name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number of the parent/guardian of the student
  3. The name of the student’s school district
  4. A statement of the violations about which the complaint is being made
  5. The facts on which the above statement is based
  6. Other information as appropriate. If you are uncertain as to whether something is appropriate for inclusion or if you have any other questions about filing a complaint, call the ISBE Special Education Compliance Division at (217) 782-5589.

Note that you may file a complaint involving issues that you will also have a due process hearing concerning. If this is the case, ISBE will act on other issues in the complaint, but those issues in the complaint that are the subject of a due process hearing will not be addressed until after the due process hearing is completed.

Description of the process

Within 10 school days, both you and the school district will receive notification of receipt of the complaint from the ISBE. If ISBE has taken any immediate action or if the issue has been resolved, the notification will include details.

If the ISBE requires more than 10 school days to resolve the complaint, a full investigation will be conducted. Unless an extension is authorized, investigations must be completed within 60 days.

Once the investigation has been completed, both you and the local school district will be provided with its findings and notification of any actions that must be taken.