SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools says there are more than 5,300 unfilled positions in schools across the state. Lawmakers hope several new laws can encourage more people to teach in Illinois.

Teachers could receive a $4,000 bonus for two consecutive years if they are National Board Certified and work in hard-to-staff schools. 

Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) said this law can be an incentive for teachers to work in underserved areas that are most impacted by the teacher shortage.

"When looking at the big picture, this is truly a problem that affects us all, especially our youth," Belt said. "They deserve quality education, and we should be able to give them that."

Hard-to-staff schools serve areas with at least 30% of students coming from low-income families. 

As a former school board president for Cahokia Unit 187, Belt said prioritizing changes to attract, retain, and support qualified teachers will invest in the success of students and empower educations.

A separate law will allow substitute teachers to fill a vacancy for 90 days or until the end of a semester. Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), a former special education teacher, said she has seen and heard the struggles many district leaders face when they try to find a substitute teacher.

"By doing this, our students will continue to learn and grow with the consistency of the same person in the classroom," Loughran Cappel said. 'We also need to support our teachers by encouraging people to join the profession and then stay in the profession."

Emergency rules help schools with teacher shortage

Teachers could receive a $4,000 bonus for two consecutive years if they are National Board Certified and work in hard-to-staff schools. 

Lawmakers also passed a plan this spring to lift the annual pay cap for teachers with designations from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards who mentor other teachers or counselors. This change will increase the maximum Teaching Excellence Program incentive from $1,500 to $2,250.

"Teachers have a significant lifelong impact on their students," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). "The impact involves not just teaching particular academic skills, but fostering life skills, creativity and productivity that leads to positive outcomes for years to come."

House Bill 1291 took effect immediately. Meanwhile, House Bills 3442 and 3801 will become effective on January 1.

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