Stuart Measure to Raise Teacher Pay, Address Teacher Shortage Advances to Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help address the teacher shortage currently facing Illinois, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, recently passed legislation to increase the minimum salary for teachers throughout the state.

“The mass teacher shortage currently facing Illinois is unprecedented, and it is clear that more needs to be done to attract new teachers to our state. The teacher shortage is especially devastating in downstate Illinois, and our local children will be the ones that lose out,” said Stuart. “I have spent my career as a teacher, and an investment into good, qualified teachers is an investment in our children and the future of our communities.”

Stuart spearheaded the effort to raise the minimum salary for teachers by passing House Bill 2078, which will raise the minimum salary for teachers over a four-year period. By 2024, teachers will make $40,000 in their first year. Stuart passed this measure to address the Illinois’ teacher shortage, which resulted in 1,400 teaching positions being left vacant last school year.

“Educators are often overworked, underappreciated and underpaid for the incredibly important work that they do to help our children succeed and grow,” continued Stuart. “This legislation will make Illinois more competitive, helping to attract the best and brightest teachers to our local schools. I urge the governor to sign this bill when it reaches his desk to put Illinois on the right track to end the teacher shortage.”