Each Illinois school board member who is elected or appointed to fill a vacancy of at least one year’s duration must complete State-mandated professional development leadership training (PDLT) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) training. State-mandated training is also required for board members who want to vote upon a dismissal based upon the Performance Evaluation Reform Act. For additional information, see Board policy 2:120, Board Member Development.

Open Meetings Act (OMA) | 5 ILCS 120/1.05

• Training Requirements:  OMA general applicability, procedures and legal requirements. Also requires board members who have completed the training requirement to file a copy of their certification of completion with the school board. 
• Who Must Receive Training:  Every school board member must receive training.  A board member who has completed the training and filed a copy of the certificate of completion with the school board is not required to subsequently complete the training.
• Timeline:  Board members must complete this training no later than 90 days after taking the oath of office.

Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) | 105 ILCS 5/10-16a

• Training Requirements:  A minimum of four (4) hours of professional development leadership training (PDLT), including: education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities, and trauma-informed practices*.  Also requires school districts to post on their websites the names of all board members who have successfully completed the training.
• Who Must Receive Training:  Every school board member elected, or appointed to fill a vacancy of at least one year's duration.  A board member who has completed the training is not required to take this training again.
• Timeline:  Board members must complete the training with the first year of the board member's first term.

Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) | 105 ILCS 5/24-16.5

• Training Requirements:  A training program on Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) evaluations.
• Who Must Receive Training:  School board members who participate in a vote on a dismissal based upon an "optional alternative evaluative dismissal process for PERA evaluations."
• Timeline:  Prior to voting on a dismissal based upon an "optional alternative evaluative dismissal process for PERA evaluations."

The following table contains State-mandated training requirements and other professional development activities that were completed by each Board member.

Updated:  August 8, 2023