Illinois Dyslexia Resources
Illinois counts dyslexia as a learning disability. Ask the school in writing for an evaluation; it must answer within 14 school days.
More about dyslexia help in Illinois
Illinois defines dyslexia and publishes a handbook. Family Matters offers statewide parent support; the state's literacy plan guides districts but does not require statewide adoption.
Request a school evaluation in writing. The district responds within 14 school days; eligibility and the IEP meeting are due within 60 school days after consent, or before next school year if fewer days remain.
- PartlyDyslexia screening law
- 30%4th graders at Proficient
- FreeParent help with IEPs
- 27Places to get help
Start here
The go-to contacts for families in Illinois.
Free parent help
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center
Free statewide help with IEPs, 504 plans, workshops, and special-education rights.
FreeEspañolState dyslexia guidance
Illinois Dyslexia Handbook
Free state handbook explains dyslexia, school support, and evidence-based reading instruction.
FreeSpecial education office
Illinois State Board of Education Special Education Services
State parent guide to special education rights, and ways to settle disagreements with your school.
Free
More go-to contacts
How to get help in Illinois
The steps and deadlines in Illinois rules.
Put the request in writing
Send the school district a written request for a special-education evaluation and keep proof it was received.
- Time limit: 14 school days
Wait for the district decision
The district must decide whether an evaluation is warranted and notify the parent within 14 school days.
- Time limit: 60 school days
Consent and review eligibility
The school has 60 school days after your consent to decide eligibility and hold the IEP meeting.
- Time limit: 10 school days
Check that services start
IEP services must start within 10 school days after the district sends you its written notice.
- Time limit: 60 school days
Ask for an independent evaluation
If you disagree with the school's testing, ask in writing for an outside evaluation paid by the school. It is usually done within 60 school days.
Use dispute resolution
If you disagree with the school, the Illinois State Board of Education offers mediation, IEP meeting facilitation, complaints, and due process.
Illinois dyslexia law
Each answer opens to what the law says and where.
Dyslexia screening
Partly
What it says
Districts report K-3 literacy screener use in 2026-27; this reporting law does not require universal dyslexia screening.
Help after screening
Partly
What it says
Dyslexia concerns trigger evaluation duties; the handbook guides reading intervention rather than creating a universal program mandate.
Teacher training
Partly
What it says
The state offers literacy training; elementary teacher tests must add a language/literacy subscore by July 1, 2026.
Public Act 103-0402 (2023)
Dyslexia defined in law
Yes
What it says
State law defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability affecting word recognition, spelling and decoding.
State dyslexia handbook
Yes
What it says
The state publishes a dyslexia handbook and must review it every four years.
State dyslexia specialist
Not sure
What it says
The state funds a learning-disability support project; a designated state dyslexia specialist position was not confirmed.
Science of reading law
Partly
What it says
A 2023 law requires a state literacy plan; district adoption is guidance, not a statewide phonics mandate or confirmed three-cueing ban.
Public Act 103-0402 (2023)
- Compare dyslexia laws in every state
Dyslexia testing, tutoring and support in Illinois
Pick what you need.
Get tested
School testing is free. Clinics add detail.
Northern Illinois University Psychological Services Center (opens in a new tab)
Learning and attention evaluations for students and adults; an assessment waitlist applies.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Clinical Center (opens in a new tab)
Learning-disability assessments for students and adults at a university training clinic.
Tutoring and programs
Explicit, structured reading help.
Chicago-LaGrange Children's Dyslexia Center (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring at the LaGrange center; prior evaluation required.
Chicago-Palatine Children's Dyslexia Center (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring at the Palatine center; prior evaluation required.
Children's Dyslexia Center of Southern Illinois (opens in a new tab)
Free tutoring for children with dyslexia at the Southern Illinois center in Collinsville.
Children's Dyslexia Center of Springfield (opens in a new tab)
One-to-one dyslexia tutoring; contact the local center about admission and current fees.
East Central Illinois Children's Dyslexia Center (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring at the Danville center; prior evaluation required.
Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy (opens in a new tab)
Individual reading and writing tutoring for elementary and middle-school students; financial aid available.
Northwest Illinois Children's Dyslexia Center (opens in a new tab)
Free dyslexia tutoring at the Freeport center; prior evaluation required.
Redwood Literacy (opens in a new tab)
Dyslexia tutoring in Chicago and online, plus reading screenings (not a diagnosis).
Audiobooks and tech
Keep learning while reading catches up.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program (opens in a new tab)
Try assistive devices before buying; six-week loans are free, but return shipping costs apply.
Parent groups
Families who have been there.
Everyone Reading Illinois (opens in a new tab)
Dyslexia guides, a yearly conference, and referrals to tutors and testers near you in Illinois.
For adults
It is never too late to get help.
John Wood Community College Literacy Services (opens in a new tab)
Free confidential reading tutoring for eligible adults in the college district.
Literacy DuPage (opens in a new tab)
Serves DuPage County
Free one-to-one reading and English tutoring for low-income adults age 21 and older.
Northwestern University Academic Support and Learning Advancement (opens in a new tab)
Academic coaching, accommodation links and evaluation referrals for Northwestern students.
scaleLIT (opens in a new tab)
Career navigators help adult job seekers find training; also supports Chicago adult literacy programs.
YWCA Northwestern Illinois Literacy Council (opens in a new tab)
Free reading, writing and math tutoring for adults age 17 and older who are not in school.
For teachers
Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy training.
Classmates Literacy Foundation (opens in a new tab)
Low- or no-cost structured-literacy teacher training in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Illinois Specific Learning Disability Support Project (opens in a new tab)
Free Illinois dyslexia guides, toolkit materials, and training for families and educators.
Schools for dyslexia in Illinois
Each one has a documented reading program. Ask to see it.
8 of 8 shown
- Dyslexia school
Acacia Academy(opens in a new tab)
La Grange · Cook County · Grades 1-12
Grades 1-12 in La Grange for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, with Wilson reading.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Hyde Park Day School(opens in a new tab)
Chicago · Cook County · Grades 1-8
Specialized grades 1-8 school with language-based learning support and need-based tuition aid.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
The Cove School(opens in a new tab)
Northbrook · Cook County · Grades K-12
K-12 school in Northbrook for students with learning disabilities; most are funded by their school district.
Financial aid - Dyslexia school
Brehm Preparatory School(opens in a new tab)
Carbondale · Jackson County · Grades 6-12
Grades 6-12 day and boarding school in Carbondale for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
BoardingFinancial aid - Public districtExtra reading help
Belvidere Community Unit School District 100(opens in a new tab)
Belvidere · Boone County
Orton-Gillingham-based reading help for struggling readers and students with dyslexia.
- PublicExtra reading help
Luther J. Schilling School(opens in a new tab)
Homer Glen · Will County · Grades 2-4
Wilson Reading System for students in grades 2-4 who need more intensive reading help.
- PublicClassroom program
Empire Elementary School(opens in a new tab)
Freeport · Stephenson County · Grades K-5
Fundations phonics lessons for all students in kindergarten through grade 3.
- Public districtClassroom program
River Forest Public Schools District 90(opens in a new tab)
River Forest · Cook County
Fundations core phonics instruction in kindergarten through grade 3.
Dyslexia help by county in Illinois
Local schools, groups, and services in each guide.
How Illinois reads
Students and adults, next to the whole U.S.
4th graders reading at Proficient
Public schools. The Nation's Report Card (NAEP), 2024
8th graders reading at Proficient
Public schools. The Nation's Report Card (NAEP), 2024
Adults who struggle to read
Ages 16 to 74 at or below Level 1 in a national adult skills survey (PIAAC), data through 2017
NAEP Proficient is a high bar, not the same as “on grade level.” Adult figures are model estimates. Sources: The Nation’s Report Card and the U.S. PIAAC Skills Map, both from NCES.
See reading scores in every stateAlso good, in every state
Bookshare (opens in a new tab)
Ebooks read aloud with highlighting, free for U.S. students with dyslexia; adults pay a yearly fee.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) (opens in a new tab)
Find your state's federally funded parent center for help with special education.
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Provider Directory (opens in a new tab)
Search IDA's directory for dyslexia testing, tutoring, therapy, and advocacy near you.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential advice on job accommodations for adults with dyslexia, by phone or email.
Learning Ally (opens in a new tab)
Human-read audiobooks for students with dyslexia. Families pay yearly; your school may already offer it.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) (opens in a new tab)
Free audiobooks by mail or app for children and adults with a reading disability like dyslexia.
Illinois dyslexia questions
Does Illinois define dyslexia?
Yes. Illinois rules count dyslexia as a specific learning disability, with trouble reading words accurately or quickly, spelling, and sounding out words.
SourceHow do I request a school evaluation?
Write to the school district and ask for a special-education evaluation. The district must decide within 14 school days.
SourceHow long does an Illinois evaluation take?
Eligibility and the IEP meeting are due within 60 school days after consent. If fewer than 60 school days remain, both are due before the first day of the next school year.
SourceWho can help with an IEP in Illinois?
Family Matters, the state's federally funded parent center, offers one-to-one help for families, IEP reviews, and workshops.
SourceDoes the new screening law require every student to be screened?
No. A 2025 law only requires districts to report which reading screeners they use in kindergarten through grade 3, early in the 2026-27 school year.
SourceCan a 504 plan help if my child does not qualify for an IEP?
It may. Section 504 can cover some students who do not qualify for special education; ask the school about a 504 evaluation and plan.
SourceWhere can I get free help with an IEP or 504 plan in Illinois?
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (866-436-7842) and Equip for Equality (800-537-2632) help families for free, by phone or in meetings with the school.
Are there schools for dyslexia in Illinois?
Yes. This guide lists 4 schools built for students with dyslexia: Acacia Academy (La Grange), Brehm Preparatory School (Carbondale), Hyde Park Day School (Chicago), and 1 more. Public districts with reading programs are listed too.
Can someone with dyslexia get free audiobooks in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service (800-426-0709) lends free audiobooks to readers whose dyslexia makes print hard to read.
How well do students read in Illinois?
In 2024, 30% of Illinois 4th graders scored Proficient in reading on the NAEP test (U.S.: 30%). Proficient is a high bar: solid grade-level reading and more.
Neighboring states
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Sources for this page (13)
- The Illinois Dyslexia Handbook 2026
- Educational Rights and Responsibilities
- HB4406 live status — Remains referred to Rules Committee; introduced effective date is not evidence of enactment.
- Early literacy screener reporting — Effective January 1, 2026. State report due January 1, 2027; public posting by March 1, 2027; section repeals July 1, 2027. SB1672 enacted as reporting, not its introduced screening mandate.
- Specific Learning Disability: Dyslexia
- Literacy law fact sheet — State duty to make professional learning available by January 1, 2025; test subscore and reporting by July 1, 2026. Not a compulsory course for every practicing teacher.
- ilga.gov
- Dyslexia Guides — A support project is not evidence of a designated state dyslexia coordinator or a statutory specialist requirement.
- Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan FAQ (December 2024) — Read full official FAQ and current literacy hub. Grant recipients may have separate local-plan submission duties; this does not make universal curriculum adoption mandatory.
- Evaluation Procedures
- Evaluation Procedures, 226.110(d) — Deadline is before the first day of the following school year when fewer than 60 school days remain; do not stop the clock indefinitely for summer.
- 105 ILCS 5/14-8.02(b) — Current text replaces older 30-day deadline. District may initiate due process within 7 school days to defend its evaluation; reasonable grounds can support extension. Read current section before P.A.104-716 (effective January 1, 2027).
- Special Education
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Dyslexia resources in every state