105 ILCS 5/22-19
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 5/ - School Code.|Article 22 - General Provisions--Penalties--Liabilities

 (from Ch. 122, par. 22-19)Sec. 22-19.         Upon the filing of a complaint with the State Board of Education,  executed in duplicate and subscribed with the names  and addresses of at least 50 residents of a school district or 10% of  the residents, whichever is less, alleging that any pupil  has been excluded from or segregated in any school on account of his or  her color, race, nationality, sex, religion or religious affiliation, or that  any employee of  or applicant for employment or assignment with any such school district  has been questioned concerning his or her color, race, nationality, sex,  religion or religious affiliation or subjected to discrimination by reason thereof,  by or on behalf of the school board of such district, the State Board of  Education shall promptly mail a copy of such complaint to  the secretary or clerk of such school board.The State Board of Education  shall fix a date, not less than 20 nor more than 30 days from the date of  the filing of such complaint, for a hearing upon the allegations therein.  The State Board of Education may also fix a date for a hearing whenever  it has reason to believe that such discrimination may exist in any school  district. Reasonable notice of the time and place of such hearing shall  be mailed to the secretary or  clerk of the school board and to the first signatory  to such complaint.The State Board of Education may designate an assistant to conduct such  hearing and receive testimony concerning the situation complained of. The  complainants may be represented at such hearing by one of their number or  by counsel. Each party shall have the privilege of cross examining witnesses.  The State Board of Education or the hearing officer appointed by it shall  have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, and require  the production of  evidence relating to any relevant matter under this Act. Any circuit  court of this State, upon the application of the  State Board of Education or the hearing officer appointed by  it, may, in its or his or her discretion, compel the attendance of witnesses,  the production of books, papers, records or memoranda and the giving of  testimony before the State Board of Education or the hearing  officer appointed by it conducting an investigation or holding a  hearing authorized by this Act, by an attachment for contempt, or  otherwise, in the same manner as production of evidence may be compelled  before the court. The State Board of Education or the  hearing officer appointed by it may cause the depositions of witnesses  within the State to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like  depositions in civil actions in courts of this State, and to that end  compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers,  records or memoranda. All testimony shall be taken under oath  administered by the hearing officer, but the formal rules pertaining to  evidence in judicial proceedings shall not apply. The State Board of Education  shall provide a competent reporter to record  all testimony. Either party desiring a transcript of the hearing shall  pay for the cost of such transcript. A continuance may be granted  provided both parties agree. The hearing officer shall report a summary  of the testimony within 60 days after the hearing commences, unless a  continuance is granted, to the State Board of Education who  shall determine whether the allegations of the complaint are  substantially correct. If a continuance is granted, the summary of  testimony shall be reported to the State Board of Education  within 60 days after the hearing recommences. The State Board of Education  shall notify both parties of its decision within 30  days after it receives a summary of the testimony from the hearing  officer. If the State Board of Education determines that a violation exists,  it shall request the Attorney General to apply to the appropriate circuit  court for such injunctive or other relief as may be necessary to rectify the practice  complained of.The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and  modifications thereof and the rules adopted  pursuant thereto shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the  judicial review of any final decision rendered by the State Board of Education  pursuant to this Section.     (Source: P.A. 84-126.)