Gov. Pritzker signs new law addressing the teacher shortage

Posted on April 27, 2022
Gov. Pritzker signed the law on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/File)

By Blake Haas and IIS

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pritzker is signing a package of new laws to address the teacher shortage in Illinois.

One new law reduces the reinstatement fees for a lapsed teaching license from $500 to $50.

“We’ll also allow students currently enrolled in teaching programs which have nearly finished the requirements to graduate to get into the classroom early as substitute teachers,” added Gov. Pritzker.

Another new law lowers the minimum age for paraprofessionals to work in kindergarten through eighth-grade classrooms from 19 to 18.

Currently, substitute teachers must have a bachelor’s degree.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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