Illinois school board members planning to attend this year’s Joint Annual Conference should consider reviewing existing board policies, or adopting a policy, to ensure alignment with applicable laws regarding board member training.

IASB’s Policy Reference Education Subscription Service (PRESS) has a sample policy that addresses mandatory professional development for board members and permits and encourages other ongoing leadership training opportunities. Sample PRESS Policy, 2:120, Board Member Development, provides sample text regarding issues related to setting considerations for board member training.  

School boards should be as transparent as possible about Conference-related expenses. Two additional sample policies available through PRESS address this topic: 2:125, Board Member Compensation; Expenses (for board member expenses), and 5:60, Expenses (employee expenses).

The content of these policies is stipulated in state law (105 ILCS 5/10-9, 5/10-10, and 5/22-1 (no compensation allowed, conflicts of interest prohibited); 105 ILCS 5/10-22.32 (expense advancements); and the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act (ECA) 50 ILCS 150/10 (regulation of travel expenses). Adoption of these policies helps to ensure legal compliance of Illinois statutes.

School leadership teams are encouraged to communicate these policies to the community and district residents with the goal of ensuring transparency of district expenses and attendance at professional development activities.  

The 2026 Joint Annual Conference will be held November 20-22 in Chicago. Registration remains available at the early-bird rate through October 15.