Do you have to take drivers ED in IL to get your liscense or permit?

-I'm going into 9th grade and will soon be old enough to drive...but not soon enough:S does anyone know if you have to take drivers ED to get your permit/license?In most states for people in your situation you need to take Drivers' Ed in order to get a driver's license, but you don't need to have taken it to get a learner's permit, a prerequisite for a driver's license.