Hoffman Passes Bill to Raise Minimum Teacher Salaries

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, to address Illinois’ growing teacher shortage by raising the base salary for educators across the state has passed out of the Illinois House.

“The knowledge that teachers instill in young students throughout our communities is invaluable,” Hoffman said. “The Illinois teacher shortage is real. To effectively address this situation, I sponsored legislation to increase teacher pay because we must compete with other states to attract and retain teachers.”

Hoffman’s House Bill 5175 would require school boards to increase the baseline salary for teachers working full-time to $40,000 per year.

“We believe this wage will help to take the necessary steps to recruit and retain quality teachers,” Hoffman said.  “If we want to maintain the integrity and long-term quality of our education system, we need to pay our teachers an amount that more accurately reflects the value of their work.”

House Bill 5175 passed the House on a vote of 61 – 38 and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.