IEP advocate for Illinois families

I'm Karlie Libraro, a speech-language pathologist and IEP advocate, and I work with Illinois families entirely online. Maybe the draft IEP just landed in your inbox and the meeting is three days out. That's a lot to read in a short window. I earned my B.S. and M.S. at Eastern Illinois University. My home base is Virginia, where I work with families in person around Richmond. Illinois special education practice is the other state system I specialize in. Wherever you live in Illinois, we can go through your child's documents together. We plan for the meeting. Then I sit in on it with you by video.

How virtual IEP advocacy works

Everything happens by video, phone and email. You send me the documents. That means the current IEP or 504 plan, evaluation reports, recent progress reports and any emails with the school that matter. You don't need to organize them first. I read them before we talk. Then we meet by video. We go through what I noticed. We work out what you want to ask for and how to say it.

When the meeting comes, I join by video or phone. Is the school holding it in person? Ask the case manager a few days ahead to set up a video link or call-in line. Let the team know who will be joining you. Afterward we can go over what was decided. Then we check what should show up in writing.

Illinois special education rules families should know

Illinois follows the federal law, IDEA. It adds its own requirements in Article 14 of the School Code and in the Illinois State Board of Education's rules at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 226. Three of them are worth knowing before you request an evaluation or walk into a meeting.

14 school days to decide whether to evaluate

After you request an evaluation, the district has 14 school days to decide whether one is warranted. If it decides not to evaluate, it has to give you written notice (23 Ill. Adm. Code 226.110). So put your request in writing and keep a dated copy. That's your proof of when the clock started.

60 school days from your consent

If the district evaluates, the eligibility decision and the IEP meeting must both be completed within 60 school days of the date you sign consent for the evaluation (226.110 and 105 ILCS 5/14-8.02). A separate rule covers consent given when fewer than 60 school days are left in the school year. Illinois counts school days. Breaks and holidays don't count toward the deadline.

Documents at least 3 school days before the meeting

No later than 3 school days before a meeting to decide eligibility or review an IEP, the district must give you copies of all written material the team will consider. That way you can take part as a fully informed member of the team (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02f). If the meeting is scheduled within 3 school days with your written consent, you get the material as soon as possible. You choose the delivery method from the ones the district offers. Three school days isn't long. It's usually enough, though. Send me the draft and the reports, and we can go through them before you walk in.

ISBE's parent guide, Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois, covers the whole process and is worth keeping on hand. The ISBE special education page has more for families.

What I help Illinois families with

• Reading evaluation reports before the eligibility meeting and marking what to ask about
• Going through a draft IEP during that three-day window, especially the present levels and goals
• Writing evaluation requests, follow-up letters and responses to prior written notice
• Preparing your questions and joining IEP, eligibility and transition meetings by video
• Requesting and reviewing 504 plans for children who need accommodations

If this is your first meeting, my post on preparing for your first IEP meeting is a good start, and the red flags printable below is handy to keep next to the draft while you read.

IEP advocate prices for Illinois families

• A free 15-minute call
• Consultations: $150 for new clients, $125 for returning clients (60 minutes)
• Document review: $130 for an IEP, 504 plan or prior written notice, $180 for an eligibility or evaluation report
• Letters and written responses: $100
• Virtual meeting attendance: $60 per 30 minutes with a one-hour minimum, preparation included

If you need several of these, advocacy hours cover all of them: 3 hours for $360, 6 hours for $690 or 10 hours for $1,100, plus a $480 monthly retainer for ongoing cases. Caregiver Education sessions are $65 for 30 minutes, and sliding-scale pricing is available for families who need it. See services and prices for details, or what an IEP advocate costs for what affects the price.

Free help in Illinois

Before you pay for anything, these free Illinois resources are worth a call:

• Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center is Illinois's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Since October 1, 2025, it has served the entire state, including the Chicago area, with phone and email consultation and free trainings for families.
• Equip for Equality is the federally mandated, governor-appointed protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities in Illinois, and it publishes special education resources for families.
• The ISBE parent guide linked above, which explains your rights at each step.

Advocacy is not legal advice

I'm not an attorney. I don't give legal advice or represent families in legal proceedings. If you're heading toward a due process hearing, facing an expulsion, being asked to sign a settlement, or need someone to interpret what the law requires in your child's case, you need a special education attorney. The advocate vs. attorney guide explains the difference and how the two can work together. Not sure which one you need yet? That's okay. Start with the free 15-minute call and we'll sort it out.