SThe Illinois compulsory attendance law requires that "Whoever has custody or control of any child between the ages of 7 and 17 years shall cause such child to attend some public school..." The compulsory attendance law provides an exception for "any child attending a private or parochial school where children are taught the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools, and where the instruction of the child in the branches of education is in the English language;"

Section 3-13 of the Illinois school Code gives the Regional Superintendent of Schools/Intermediate Service Center-Regions the authority to appoint a Truant Officer.

The Intermediate Service Centers (ISC) assist local school districts with truancy violations, which requires warning letters, truancy hearings, and in some cases, going to Juvenile Court for final disposition. School districts can request assistance with truancy concerns by contacting the local ISC. A student non-compliance form can be emailed or faxed to the office.

"Chronic or habitual truant" shall be defined as a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for 5% or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days.

The template below is a model for effective steps in working with a truant. Each of these categories should be addressed before a case is brought before the juvenile court.