SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State lawmakers are working on legislation to further address the teacher shortage in Illinois.
The problem is serious, especially in hard to staff areas, supporters say.
A bill from Sen. Meg Loughran-Cappel of Shorewood extends the number of days that substitute teachers filling an emergency vacancy can work in the classroom.
Another bill provides monetary incentives for teachers who mentor their newer colleagues.
“Providing this compensation to educators who continuously work to uplift and guide more teachers, will encourage them to stay in the profession, benefitting our students the most,” Loughran-Cappel says.
A third measure from Metro East area Sen. Christopher Belt sets up $4,000 a year retention bonuses for two consecutive years to teachers working in hard-to-staff schools.
“The fact is Illinois is facing a crisis when it comes to recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, especially in underserved communities. This shortage is having a profound impact on our children,” Belt says.
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