Illinois
State Information
The purpose of this document is to capture state-by-state information of policy and guidelines related to the science of reading / evidence-based reading instruction to be presented on The Reading League Compass, a website of reliable and reputable guidance and resources for targeted stakeholder groups.
Updated 2025
Local control?
Yes
Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?
No, the Science of Reading is not called out specifically in any Illinois legislation.
Does your state have an approved curriculum list?
No, Illinois is local control. We provide guidance on curriculum evaluation through the Curriculum Evaluation Tool, but it is up to local boards of education to determine the content and methods for instruction.
For multilingual learners:
State policy requires districts to select supplemental reading curriculum for English Learners from a required list. (by statute, administrative code, state board policy, etc.) If states publish a list of supplemental reading curriculum materials that districts MAY select from, then the answer is “RECOMMENDED list is published.
Was evidence-aligned reading instruction a consideration for the curriculum review?
However, we do provide resources districts may use to review curriculum.
- Curriculum Evaluation Tool: Editable document that districts may use as they review curriculum at the local level.
- Literacy-Specific Addendum to the Curriculum Evaluation Tool: Enhance curriculum assessments with our latest addition — an addendum specifically tailored for literacy evaluation. This tool empowers educators to ensure curriculum alignment with best literacy practices, fostering optimal learning experiences for students.
Please describe any other instructional-materials work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable
The Illinois State Board of Education adopted the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan on January 24, 2024. ISBE then released the Literacy Specific Addendum to the Curriculum Evaluation Tool in July 2024.
Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?
Illinois does not currently mandate one statewide early literacy screener, but Public Act 104-0389 requires the Illinois State Board of Education to provide guidance and support for early literacy screening and evidence-based instruction, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The law directs local districts that serve any grades kindergarten through 3 to report any early literacy screeners used by the district, including the grade level and frequency in which the screeners are administered. ISBE currently offers screening guidance through the Universal Early Literacy Screening Guidance information sheet.
Does your state have policy or guidance related to MTSS that incorporates information on the science of reading and/or evidence-based literacy practices?
Yes. This information is embedded throughout the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan, which aligns with the state’s MTSS framework and emphasizes evidence-based practices in reading instruction.
Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development
Yes. Literacy professional development is provided through Public Act 103-0402 and aligned with the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan. All state-developed literacy professional learning is available at: isbe.net/Pages/Illinois-Literacy-Plan.aspx.
Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading?
Yes, though not explicitly called Science of Reading courses. ISBE currently offers a free, asynchronous virtual course titled What the Research Says: Effective Reading Instruction for All Students, which is available on the ICLP website: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Illinois-Literacy-Plan.aspx
Please describe any grant work that names the science of reading and/or evidence-aligned instruction including links, where applicable
ISBE offered the District Literacy Implementation Grant for public school districts and Regional Offices of Education during FY 2025.
ISBE’s Title Grants Department has adopted the ESEA definition of “Evidence-based” for administration of grant programs where funds may be utilized for instructional expenses, for example: Schoolwide Programs (isbe.net) allows for “Evidence-based strategies to accelerate acquisition of content knowledge for English learners.”
Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?
No, we have not reviewed our existing state ELA standards at this time, but have future plans to do so.
Illinois utilizes the Common Core ELA standards: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/ela-standards.pdf and the Early Learning Standards: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/early_learning_standards.pdf
Does your state have guidance or resources for families related to the science of reading?
The Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan has workbook pages included within the plan for Families. Additionally, we have released a Reader’s Guide to support families as they engage with the plan.
Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?
Yes. Section 1 of the ICLP addresses leveraging evidence-based practices to support secondary students. The Curriculum Evaluation Tool and Literacy-Specific Addendum apply across grade levels to guide alignment with evidence-based practices:
Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?
Public Act 103-0402 requires the Illinois State Board of Education to measure the level of educator preparation related to literacy beginning July 1, 2026, including publishing language and literacy subscore data from elementary content knowledge tests and reporting pass rates by program. The Act directs ISBE to collaborate with higher education partners to align educator preparation programs to evidence-based literacy practices outlined in the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan.
While Illinois does not currently have formal program approval criteria tied specifically to the Science of Reading, this alignment work is underway through a current Community of Practice and related initiatives established under Public Act 103-0402.
Please describe and link to any other work you would like to share that relates to the science of reading
The Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan serves as the primary statewide framework guiding evidence-based literacy instruction, assessment, and professional learning.
Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?
Yes. The “contact us” website is located here
Interactive State Map
Use the interactive state map to find descriptions of state-level policy adoption, guidance, and practices related to the science of reading. State policy may include legislation incorporating training or practices related to the science of reading or state education agency guidance regarding policy, professional development, curricula, instruction, or assessment.
Filter by specific topic area(s) to find state-specific work:
The Reading League expresses gratitude to our collaborators and associates within the state education agencies for sharing their state-specific data. This data will undergo semi-annual updates, contingent upon the availability and resources of the respective state agencies. For any inquiries, clarifications, or updates, please reach out to compass@thereadingleague.org.
