Nearly 90 percent of Illinois school districts are facing a teacher shortage, a challenge lawmakers believe may worsen. In response, Illinois Senate Democrats are advancing legislation to support aspiring educators. One key proposal, led by Senator Adriane Johnson, would prohibit colleges from requiring student teachers to work unpaid, helping to reduce financial barriers for future teachers. Another bill, sponsored by Senator Dave Koehler, seeks to create a stipend program, offering up to $10,000 per semester for student teachers and $2,000 for cooperating mentors. Additional legislation aims to extend short-term teacher licenses for those taking family or medical leave. These measures await legislative action.
“If we want students to see themselves in their teachers, we must remove the systemic barriers that prevent aspiring educators from underserved communities from entering the profession. Requiring an unpaid internship forces too many teaching students to choose between their calling and their livelihood,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “By eliminating this outdated mandate, we’re opening the door to a more diverse, equitable and representative teaching workforce.”
“Our state needs talented, dedicated teachers and that starts with removing some of the financial hurdles students face when pursuing an education degree,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This program will help aspiring teachers afford the costs of student teaching while rewarding experienced educators who guide them along the way.”
“For many educators, short-term approval in a new subject area is a path to becoming a more versatile teacher who can teach more classes,” said State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This is a step in the right direction to keep teachers moving through the pipeline and on a streamlined path into the classroom.”
