Illinois Statutes Chapter 105. Schools § 5/22-96. Hiring or assigning priority

(a) When hiring or assigning physical education, music, and visual arts educators, a school district must prioritize the hiring or assigning of educators who hold an educator license and endorsement in the content area to be taught.

(b) A licensed educator assigned to physical education, music, or visual arts who does not hold an endorsement in the content area to be taught must acquire short-term approval under Part 25 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code by the State Board of Education in the content area to be taught prior to his or her assignment or employment start date. If no short-term approval is available in the content area to be taught, the licensed educator shall meet equivalent criteria specified by the State Board of Education. In order to retain his or her employment for subsequent school years, the educator must acquire the full endorsement in the content area to be taught prior to the end of the validity period of the short-term approval.

(c) In the case of a reduction in force, a school district may follow its employee contract language for filling positions.

(d) Instead of holding the credentials specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section, an educator assigned to a position under this Section may meet any requirements set forth under Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code as applicable to the content area to be taught, except that subsection (b) of Section 1.710 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code does not apply to an educator assigned to a position under this subsection (d).