NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Jan 14, 2008 - Illinois has a backlog of teaching complaints. After a seven-month investigation and 300 Freedom of Information requests, Scott Reeder of the Small Newspaper Group produced a series of stories called Hidden Violations. The backlog of complaints are estimated to range from 100 to 250 files. But they are not likely to be heard soon, nor are they likely to end in suspension or revocation.
There are two ways Illinois teachers can have their certificates revoked.Under state law, the state's two major teacher unions appoint two-thirds of the members of the Illinois Teacher Certification Board.
The most common way is by being convicted of certain crimes for which state law mandates revocation. The other way is for the Illinois Teacher Certification Board to rule an educator's misconduct or performance warrants suspension or revocation of a certificate. Generally, these cases are heard by hearing officers, and their ruling may be appealed to the certification board.
But cases are seldom forwarded to hearing officers for review.
In fact, in the last 10 years, the certification hearing officers have only heard about seven cases.
There's more. Read the whole thing.
