Public Accountability Report Public Accountability Report

2025 Special Education Initiative
Mission Statement The Special Education Initiative is a collaboration of the Human Rights Authority and Legal Advocacy Services created to help families navigate special education through training, advocacy, and legal support.
Program Goals and Objectives
  1. The Special Education Initiative will provide training and information to students, families, and community members about special education.
    1. Staff will offer special education trainings to students, families, and community members.
    2. Staff will participate in outreach events to provide education about Special Education Initiative services and special education-related issues.
  2. The Special Education Initiative will provide direct special education advocacy to students and their families.
    1. The initiative will provide students and families with information, consultations, record reviews, and formal support services regarding individual special education issues or concerns.
    2. The initiative will assist students and families in resolving special education concerns and complaints.
  3. The Special Education Initiative will provide mediation and due process assistance to students and families.
    Source of Funds General Revenue Fund, Guardianship and Advocacy Fund Statutory Authority 20 ILCS 3955/14 to 3955/29
    Fiscal Year 2026 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2025 Actual Fiscal Year 2025 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2024 Actual Fiscal Year 2023 Actual
    Input Indicators
    Total expenditures - all sources (in thousands) (a) $ 695.4 $ 606.5 $ 495.0 $ 451.0 $ 396.5
    Total expenditures - state appropriated funds (in thousands) (a) $ 695.4 $ 606.5 $ 495.0 $ 451.0 $ 396.5
    Average monthly full-time equivalents (a) 6.0 6.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
    Output Indicators
    Number of persons trained 150.0 298.0 100.0 165.0 437.0
    Number of individuals served 350.0 397.0 300.0 345.0 252.0
    Number of outreach events 24.0 70.0 24.0 61.0 60.0
    Outcome Indicators
    Percentage of cases completed or closed 90.00% 99.00% 90.00% 99.00% 100.00%
    Footnotes
    Administrative staff and expenses are prorated into program headcount and expenditures.

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