Scherer-Backed Law to Provide Bonuses for High-Performing Educators

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is investing in Illinois’ best teachers with a new law that will allow districts to give National Board-certified teachers $4,000 bonuses.

“When I was a public school teacher, I saw firsthand how our schools lose talented staff who often feel undervalued and overlooked,” said Scherer. “Teaching is a tough profession, and those who go above the call of duty should be compensated for going the extra mile.”

Scherer voted to pass House Bill 3801, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Pritzker. The law will award National Board-certified teachers with $4,000 annual bonuses if they choose to work in a hard-to-staff school for two years. The pandemic and other factors have coalesced to create an educator shortage across America. This legislation was created to ensure that, regardless of industry-wide trends, Illinois’ most-struggling schools will have access to high-quality teachers.

For educators or those wishing to learn more about the certification process, please visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ (NBPTS) website using the following link: https://www.nbpts.org/.  

“There’s absolutely no reason why a child in Central Illinois should not have access to the same high caliber, driven teachers that those in other states do,” said Scherer. “These awards will level the playing field and attract talent to our schools that have the most critical need.”