110 ILCS 153/5-5: Readmission.

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

(a) Institutions shall accommodate a service member student's academic military leave and grant prompt readmission when the service member student:

(1) has not exceeded a cumulative academic military leave period beyond 5 years;

(2) provides advance notice of academic military leave to the institution; and

(3) provides notice of intent to return to the institution.

(b) Prompt readmission. The institution must readmit a service member student on academic military leave into the next class, classes, or academic year division following the receipt of the notice of intent to return in accordance with the terms of the accommodation.

(c) Exemptions to readmission. A service member student's eligibility for readmission under this Act terminates upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(1) A separation of such service member student from military service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge.

(2) A dismissal from military service in the case of a service member student who is a commissioned or warrant officer.

(3) A dropping of such service member student from the rolls.

(d) The service member student has an obligation to timely self-report to the institution when any of the exemptions to readmission listed in subsection (c) occur.

(e) A service member student shall provide documentation demonstrating applicability of exemptions upon request by the institution, subject to the following:

(1) The institution cannot request specific documentation.

(2) Documentation provided shall be from appropriate military authority.

(3) Documentation shall be provided as soon as practicable.

(f) Rights and benefits under this Act shall not be withheld until an exemption becomes evident.

(g) Loss of readmission rights under this Act subjects the service member student to the institution's applicable policies and procedures.

(h) When an institution has reason to believe that an exemption may be applicable but is not reported, the institution shall notify the Attorney General's ISERRA Advocate. Upon receiving notification, the Attorney General shall investigate to determine if an exemption exists. Intentional failure to timely report an applicable exemption shall result in loss of readmission and preservation of academic status rights under this Act and subjects the service member student to the institution's applicable policies and procedures. When failure to report involves the use of public funds, the Attorney General shall investigate to determine if any law has been violated and if recoupment of public funds is warranted. Results of any investigation may be shared with appropriate military authority at the discretion of the Attorney General.