SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 90% of school districts across the state have reported a teacher shortage problem, with even more believing the crisis will worsen in the years to come. To tackle the school staffing crunch, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined solutions to the ongoing issue through a number of legislative measures.

Prior to entering a classroom full time, students studying education spend a semester or more as a student teacher. Student teaching is a full-time job without the full-time pay — typically without pay at all. This creates a systemic barrier for individuals who want to become teachers, but can’t afford to not receive compensation.

State Senator Adriane Johnson is leading House Bill 3528 to ensure higher education institutions would not be able to require student teachers to work without pay.

“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 “By eliminating this outdated mandate, we’re opening the door to a more diverse, equitable and representative teaching workforce.”

While the measure will not mandate that universities or school districts pay student teachers, it explicitly prohibits any policy that bars such payment. By doing so, it would create legal space for compensation models to emerge and evolve — particularly in high-need areas.

State Senator Dave Koehler is building off that legislation with House Bill 1375.

His measure would establish a stipend program through the Illinois Board of Higher Education, offering student teachers stipends of up to $10,000 per semester for a maximum of two consecutive semesters. The program also would include stipends of $2,000 per semester for cooperating teachers who mentor student teachers, which are also limited to two consecutive semesters each year.

“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.”

Once someone receives a teaching license, they still often face barriers to being in the classroom.

One such barrier includes the length of short-term licenses when life simply gets in the way. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading Senate Bill 1584 to permit the Illinois State Board of Education to make rules allowing for extensions to short-term approval teacher licenses if the licensee has taken leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act during the time they were licensed under short-term approval, which typically only lasts three years.

“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.”

House Bill 3528 awaits and Senate Bill 1584 await final action in their respective chambers. House Bill 1375 was heard this week by the Senate Appropriations-Education Committee.