Chung to Join Newly Formed Teacher Shortage Working Group

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, is increasing her focus on addressing the state’s high levels of teaching vacancies by joining the newly formed Teacher Shortage Working Group. This group, chaired by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will work to find practical solutions to the ongoing issue.

“Illinois families deserve the piece of mind that comes from knowing their children are attending properly staffed schools,” Chung said. “Unfortunately, this state is no exception to the ongoing nationwide teacher shortage. Schools all across this state are struggling to find and keep talented teachers. We need to do more to tackle this issue, and this working group will allow us to do just that.”

Recent surveys conducted by the Illinois State Board of Education found that Illinois has thousands of teaching vacancies in schools across the state. The working group will meet regularly with a range of stakeholders to share ideas and make recommendations on what the state should do to address the problem.

“One of the largest issues our state’s public schools system is facing is teaching vacancies,” Chung said. “I look forward to tackling this problem head on and finding ways to keep teaching positions filled statewide.”