Scherer Measure to Address Substitute Teacher Shortage Passes Committee

DECATUR, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, to aid school districts that are having a hard time finding substitute teachers by eliminating the substitute teaching license fee has passed the House Elementary & Secondary Education: Licensing, Administration & Oversight Committee.

“Especially in Central and Southern Illinois, school districts are struggling to fill substitute teacher positions, and students risk missing out on instructional time as a result,” Scherer said. “We need to make it easier for qualified individuals to become substitute teachers, which is exactly what my legislation aims to do.”

House Committee Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 3298 would waive the fee for substitute teaching license renewals if the applicant has taught at least 10 full school days in the year prior to submitting the application. The Illinois State Board of Education currently charges a $50 application fee for a substitute teaching license. Scherer believes that the legislation will increase the pool of substitute teachers, helping alleviate shortages in school districts throughout Illinois.

“Right now we’re asking people to pay money to be considered for a job, which discourages educators from applying to be substitute teachers,” said Scherer. “Waiving fees for them is a step towards addressing the substitute teacher shortage so that fewer vacancies go unfilled.”

For more information, please contact Scherer’s constituent service office at 217-877-9636 or by email at StateRepSue@gmail.com. Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.