SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, will bring her decades of experience in the classroom and as a leader in education policy to discussions about strengthening Illinois’ public schools, retaining teachers and uplifting the needs of students and parents as chair of the House Elementary and Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing and Charter Schools Committee.

“I’m excited to examine the policies currently governing our classrooms, and look for innovative steps we can take to cut red tape, certify educators and get them teaching as quickly as possible,” said Scherer. “Having spent nearly 30 years in our local classrooms, I’ve seen how state policies can help educators and students succeed, and I’ve seen how it can hold them back. We must be open to reviewing these, and focus on what works for our students.”

Since 2019, Scherer has served as Elementary and Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter School Committee’s chairwoman. Since 2020, school districts have faced the difficulties of COVID-19, challenges with retention and recruitment of new educators, and other issues.

Special needs and bilingual students have been especially impacted by these shortages, with many unable to receive the type of instruction that their situation demands. For example, one-third of all vacancies are for special needs educators. Through a review of current policies and practices, Scherer plans to increase the number of teachers in Illinois’ schools along with the quality of instruction they provide.

“With over 90 percent of our schools facing a teacher shortage, it’s clear that this is an issue that affects all of us no matter where we live,” said Scherer. “Let’s come together, no matter the differences, to craft policies that uplift the profession, support our schools and give our students the world-class education they deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Beginning a new term in the Illinois House, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is focusing on reining in the cost of living and improving healthcare access for Central Illinois families.

“During my time representing our hardworking communities in Central Illinois, I have learned that no matter which way the wind blows commonsense voices will always prevail,” Scherer said. “Now more than ever, it’s absolutely critical that we listen to our residents and advocate for them. We cannot afford to allow these issues that leave people feeling hopeless and jaded to fester, without any faith in their institutions to address their concerns.”

Scherer’s priorities for the coming legislative session include addressing rising living costs and wages that have not kept up.

In 2024, Scherer helped pass the Healthcare Protection Act, which makes healthcare better and more affordable, and fought to pass reforms aimed squarely at taking down ghost networks and ensuring that big health insurance companies maintain network adequacy standards. Continuing to ensure Central Illinois families have access to critical care will be a continuing focus in the year to come.

“Even when times are swirling with uncertainty, people in our communities rise above the adversity and face these challenges together. I care about our people and will continue to fight hard for the good of our communities,” Scherer said. “When we unite behind our shared American ideals over partisanship, and act boldly and courageously to tackle these challenges, I know that there is nothing that can hold Illinois back from achieving a brighter future.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is welcoming new state funding injection of state funding to improve Springfield’s parks and amenities.

“Our communities deserve access to modern recreation and sports facilities in their very own neighborhoods,” said Scherer. “I’m excited to see our young people, families and seniors enjoy these upgrades and new additions.”

The state budget Scherer helped pass in May makes significant investments in public parks and greenspaces through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The Springfield Park District will receive $600,000 in state grant funds to improve facilities at parks throughout the city. Thanks to the OSLAD program, more than $55 million have been awarded to park districts and local governments throughout the state.

DECATUR, Ill. – $400,000 in new funding secured by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, will create a new playground and improve accessibility at Decatur’s Garfield Park.

“Garfield Park has long needed these crucial improvements, and I’m proud to finally see them realized,” said Scherer. “Our seniors, young people and families deserve a top-notch park in their own neighborhood, and that’s just what these improvements will provide.”

The state budget passed by Scherer invests in local park and greenspace improvements through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Open Space and Lands Acquisition Grant (OSLAD) program. This includes $400,000 for the Decatur Park District to fund the second phase of its plan to renovate the park with improvements such as a new playground, ADA- compliant facilities and more. Last year, Scherer also played a pivotal role in bringing OSLAD funds to Decatur’s Scovill Park.

“Everyone should be able to access their local parks and enjoy nature, but many communities have outdated and inadequate facilities,” said Scherer. “I am pleased to see our park district expand their efforts to make their spaces more accessible for everyone in our community.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Job postings will offer potential applicants more information about salary and benefits under a new law backed by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, taking effect in January.

“For far too long, job-seekers have had little to no reliable information about the compensation offered by a job which can lead to time wasted on interviews for jobs that don’t fit the employer’s or potential employee’s needs,” said Scherer. “The new changes will help to ensure that businesses and jobseekers have a less difficult time finding an arrangement that works for both parties.”

Scherer helped pass House Bill 3129, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Under this new law, employers with 15 or more workers must list salary ranges and benefits on all job postings. Employers will also be required to inform current employees about job openings.

“Fair pay for everyone begins with transparency,” said Scherer. “Especially now as families are working harder than ever but finding it harder to get ahead. It’s fundamental that our laws are on their side.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is working to improve the economic security of tens of thousands of teachers, public safety workers, and state employees by sponsoring smart reforms to strengthen the state’s retirement systems and help recruit and retain great public service workers.

“Illinois’ retirement systems need to balance the financial realities facing the state with our commitment to the men and women who educate our children, who keep us safe, and who build and maintain our communities,” said Scherer. “The so-called ‘Tier 2’ benefits are not balanced, and that’s making it harder to keep great people in these critical jobs. Fixing Tier 2 is about keeping Illinois competitive and keeping our communities strong.”

A major restructuring of state employee benefits in 2011 created two tiers of retirement plans for teachers and state workers. Those hired after Jan. 1, 2011 receive “Tier 2” plans with lower benefits and an increased retirement age. More than half of all teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other public employees are now enrolled in Tier 2. As many of these employees are not eligible for Social Security, there is concern that the diminished guarantees of Tier 2 violate federal standards ensuring employees who cannot enroll in Social Security receive at least equivalent benefits.

Inadequate retirement security is also cited as a major cause of the teacher shortage, and a challenge recruiting and retaining first responders and other public employees.

In response, Scherer is sponsoring House Bill 5909, which makes Tier 2 more competitive by raising cost of living adjustments and aligning the retirement age with Tier 1. These reforms will make it easier for schools, universities, and communities to hire and keep qualified employees, while still controlling pension liabilities.

“As an educator of over 30 years, I know firsthand the dedication it takes to serve the young people in our classrooms. And I think we need to do right by the people who do the hard work that helps our state function,” said Scherer. “This is just the latest step we are taking to undo some of the past mistakes our state has made and invest in people to make sure Illinois’ future remains bright.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Formerly incarcerated Illinoisans will be better prepared to successfully re-enter society and secure work and housing under a new law enacted by state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, ensuring ex-offenders are released with a free state ID card.

“A person leaving incarceration needs to find a job, find housing, set up utilities—just the same as each of us—only they have to do all of those things all at once, from scratch,” Nichols said. “Without an ID, it’s all just that much harder, and some people won’t be able to manage, possibly even being driven to reoffend just to survive. And whose interests are served by that?”

Nichols sponsored House Bill 3345, which ensures that the Department of Corrections will provide an official Illinois Identification Card to each incarcerated person, at no charge, one week before their scheduled release.

The bill passed the House with a bipartisan majority and cleared the Senate unanimously. It was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on July 28.

“Forcing a person who has been incarcerated to navigate the normal ID process after release, before they can secure a stable living situation, is an unnecessary complication which needlessly contributes to reintegration issues and, too often, to recidivism,” Nichols said. “This is a problem that is easy to solve and that’s why choosing to solve it was the right choice.”

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative House Black Caucus issued this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision blocking efforts to expand equity and opportunity in college admissions:

“Our radical Supreme Court’s tragic decision to sever equitable opportunities and curtail human rights for countless Black Americans will exact a devastating toll on our communities. Opportunities for higher education, which were growing thanks to effective affirmative admissions policies, will once again be denied to Black students who have often had to overcome major obstacles to achieve academic excellence.

“This move serves only to meet a partisan agenda while propping up a deeply-racist power structure that has haunted the Black community for generations. Affirmative action was undertaken to overcome the lingering effects of slavery and Jim Crow policies and provide the promise of opportunity to Black children suffering under those effects. Now that promise has been broken.

“The Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus is eager to work with Governor Pritzker to take immediate action to continue expanding access to college education for all, and to continue pursuing equity-based reforms. Recent steps to substantially expand MAP grants and other education programs that benefit the Black community are a good start.  All students deserve better than a Supreme Court that embraces fundamentalism over fairness and acts consistently to preserve a system of oppression. Illinois will take every step we can to combat the racial injustice the court favors.”