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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It has long been reported that Illinois is facing
3a critical teacher shortage, which has only been exacerbated
4by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
 
5    WHEREAS, According to the 2020 Illinois Educator Shortage
6Survey commissioned by the Illinois Association of Regional
7Superintendents, 77% of Illinois school districts reported
8having a teacher shortage problem, and 93% of school districts
9have a substitute teacher shortage; and
 
10    WHEREAS, This 2020 survey also indicated that school
11districts reported 17% of their teacher positions are unfilled
12or filled by someone less than qualified for the position;
13therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
16SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Addressing
17the Illinois Teacher Shortage Task Force whose purpose is the
18following:
19        (1) to obtain and analyze data on the teacher
20    shortage, including how the COVID-19 pandemic has
21    exacerbated the shortage;
22        (2) to audit Illinois' teacher licensure laws and

 

 

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1    rules to determine if any laws or rules are an impediment
2    to quality teachers joining the classroom;
3        (3) to study and review required examinations for
4    student teachers as well as professional development
5    requirements for existing teachers; and
6        (4) to provide recommendations on how to address the
7    teacher shortage by removing impediments in current laws
8    and rules; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the
10following members:
11        (1) one member of a statewide professional teachers'
12    organization, appointed by the State Superintendent of
13    Education;
14        (2) one member of another statewide professional
15    teachers' organization, appointed by the State
16    Superintendent of Education;
17        (3) one member of a statewide professional teachers'
18    organization that represents a school district in a city
19    with a population of over 500,000, appointed by the State
20    Superintendent of Education;
21        (4) one member of a statewide organization that
22    represents school administrators, appointed by the State
23    Superintendent of Education;
24        (5) one member of a statewide organization that
25    represents school board members, appointed by the State

 

 

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1    Superintendent of Education;
2        (6) one member of a statewide organization that
3    represents principals, appointed by the State
4    Superintendent of Education;
5        (7) one member of a statewide organization that
6    represents suburban school districts, appointed by the
7    State Superintendent of Education;
8        (8) one member of a statewide organization that
9    represents large unit school districts, appointed by the
10    State Superintendent of Education;
11        (9) one member of a statewide organization that
12    represents rural school districts, appointed by the State
13    Superintendent of Education;
14        (10) two members representing teacher education
15    preparation programs at in-state colleges and
16    universities, appointed by the State Superintendent of
17    Education;
18        (11) one member of the House of Representatives
19    appointed by the Speaker of the House;
20        (12) one member of the House of Representatives
21    appointed by the House Minority Leader;
22        (13) one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate
23    President; and
24        (14) one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate
25    Minority Leader; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall have all appointments
2made within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution; and be
3it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall serve without
5compensation; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall first meet at the call
7of the State Superintendent of Education within 30 days
8following all appointments being made; at which meeting, the
9Task Force shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from
10among its members; at which time, meetings of the Task Force
11shall then be at the call of the chairperson; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That the Illinois State Board of Education shall
13provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force
14and be responsible for administering its operations and
15ensuring that the requirements of the Task Force are met; and
16be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit a report to the
18General Assembly by December 31, 2022 addressing the Task
19Force's purpose as stated above and providing recommendations
20on how to address the teacher shortage currently facing
21Illinois school districts, and upon filing of its final
22report, the Task Force is dissolved.