SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Student teachers in Illinois could soon be paid for their work. Sponsors and advocates believe this change would be a great way to recruit and retain future teachers.

A plan moving in the House would require the Illinois Board of Higher Education to distribute a stipend of up to $10,000 per semester for student teachers. 

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) told the House Higher Education Committee Wednesday that there are currently 5,400 student teachers across the state. Advocates estimate the new stipend program could cost between $54-$60 million.

Related Links

"Student teachers who receive payment under this program can also purchase service credit for student teaching, aligning with what is allowable for student teachers who are paid by the district," Hernandez said.

The proposal would also allow the Illinois State Board of Education to provide $2,000 per semester to eligible cooperating teachers. Hernandez and advocates from the Illinois Education Association and Advance Illinois stressed that this plan is subject to appropriation. 

Rep. Barbara Hernandez

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) spoke about her student teacher stipend plan during the House Higher Education hearing on May 8, 2024.

"As we do look at leaner times here in the state of Illinois, we do have to make responsible decisions about the appropriations that we have," said Jelani Saadiq, Government Affairs Director for Advance Illinois. "If there is a need that we have to appropriate funds this year, I'm sure many would be supportive of that. But at this time, we do believe the state should hold off until potentially next year so that the agency, the educator preparation programs and school districts are able to create a process where we are able to disperse those funds in a timely manner."

House Bill 4652 passed out of the House Higher Education Committee on a partisan 8-4 vote and now heads to the House floor.

Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.