From: IMLER TIMOTHY L [mailto:TIMLER@isbe.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 11:23 AM
Subject: Use of IEIN# - Sp Ed Personnel Approval Errors
Importance: High

Districts and special education cooperatives that submit special education personnel approval information for reimbursement purposes must use the employee’s Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN), which is the seven digit number assigned by the Educator Licensure Division to each educator’s file.  The IEIN number identifies the teaching/paraprofessional credentials held by the individual.  Please do not confuse this number with the educator license number.

One of the most common issues causing disapproval errors when submitting data for personnel approval is the use of the Professional Educator License “PEL” number, instead of the “IEIN” number for the employee.  Submitting the license number causes the personnel approval record to be disapproved.  Accuracy in reporting the IEIN number is extremely important as it is used to match the employee’s approval record with their license and approval information on file with the Educator Licensure Division at ISBE.

If the license number is used in lieu of the IEIN number, the educator’s credentials will not be found and the record will be disapproved.  Inaccurate data will delay approval and/or cause an individual to be disapproved for reimbursement.  Districts/Cooperatives have access to IEIN numbers for educators employed in their District/Cooperatives through the ELIS for Administrators System in IWAS, by logging in to their IWAS account, then selecting System Listings.  Under the category Educators they will see ELIS for Administrators.  If they have not yet signed up for access to ELIS for Administrators, they may simply click on the link at the bottom of the My Systems page in IWAS, Want to sign up for other Systems?  Once staff has been granted access to this system, they will be able to search for the IEIN number for teaching and paraprofessional staff in the district.

Please note; the ELIS public search on the ISBE webpage does not provide IEIN numbers for educators or paraprofessionals.  Only by accessing ELIS for Administrators is this confidential information available.

If you have questions regarding this issue, please contact Larry Wilson, Funding and Disbursement Services via email at lwilson@isbe.net or phone 217-782-5256.

Tim Imler
Division Administrator
Funding and Disbursement Services
Illinois State Board of Education
Phone:  217-782-5256
Fax:  217-782-3910