ELGIN, Ill. – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is proposing additional education funding to address teacher shortages across the state.
Data from the Illinois State Board of Education shows 3,558 unfilled teaching positions as of October 2022.
Pritzker on Friday announced the proposed Teacher Pipeline Grant Program. An additional $70 million over the next three years will provide support to 170 school districts. Districts that receive funding will have flexibility to spend it however they want.
“Schools have their own unique characteristics. And the Teacher Pipeline Initiative that I’ve proposed is designed to allow districts to hone in on the strategies that work best for their communities,” Pritzker said. “Whether that’s enhancing immediate incentives like signing bonuses, or housing stipends, or tuition assistance.”
The funding could also be used to support current teachers by providing materials and supplies.
Pritzker was joined by Dr. Tony Sanders, who started his role as state superintendent on Feb. 23rd. He previously served as superintendent of School District U-46 in Elgin.
In his time at U-46, Sanders launched Horizons4U, which was a collaborative effort between the district and neighboring universities and colleges to cover tuition costs for employees in the district, if they pledge to work at U-46 for at least five years.
“It’s not teaching itself that’s causing a teacher shortage; it is the systemic inequities present in our most under-resourced districts. The Teacher Pipeline Grant Program provides these districts with the resources they need to solve local challenges to recruitment and retention and remove barriers preventing aspiring educators from pursuing the calling to teach,” Sanders said.
The ISBE will also spend $6 million in federal funds to work with a marketing firm on a statewide recruitment campaign.
