Gov. Bruce Rauner made a move to attract out-of-state teachers to Illinois on Friday, signing into law a bill that will make it easier to obtain in-state licenses.

The bipartisan bill — signed by Rauner at Carbondale Community High School — was formally introduced to the Illinois State Senate early last year and streamlines the process for out-of-state teachers looking to obtain in-state licenses. It also lowers the fees and requirements for retired teachers to return as temporary substitutes.

“This bill is about teachers, jobs and opportunities,” Rauner said in a news release. “We are clearing a better pathway to the classroom for teachers who have moved to Illinois and ensure they can focus on the important job they do, which is educating our children.”

The bill, which passed unanimously through both chambers of Congress, allows the Illinois State Board of Education to grant licenses to teachers with similar out-of-state licenses.

Rauner and his allies hope the bill will reform a costly process that has likely deterred new talent from entering the state.

“Illinois has a teacher shortage, especially in underserved areas,” said Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville), a bill sponsor, in a news release. “Teaching licensure reciprocity will hopefully enable us to bring some of our best and brightest minds back to Illinois from our surrounding states.”

Last year, a survey developed by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools found that 60 percent of responding districts struggled to fill staffing positions, and 16 percent had to cancel classes due to teacher shortages. The report also highlighted a need for qualified teachers in special education, English, mathematics and science.

Bill Farmer (Weinberg ’03), the Teachers Council president at Evanston Township High School, said he sees evidence of teacher shortages in the city. At ETHS, for example, he said administrators struggle to attract teachers in “high need areas” — like math, sciences and special education — and often scramble to find adequate substitute teachers.

In addition, Farmer said, inconsistent standards between states make it difficult for new teachers to obtain certification — a measure Rauner’s bill aims to address.

“There’s not always reciprocity between all states in terms of their certifications systems,” Farmer said. “I know a lot of places have had a hard time filling positions … because they can’t find someone that’s highly qualified.”

But Farmer said the bigger problem lies in incentivising new teachers, either financially or through further recruitment.

Speaking to a crowd at the bill signing on Friday, Rauner sought to ease concerns about the budget impasse and affirm his commitment to funding education.

“I’m pushing every day to get a balanced budget with more resources for education,” he said. “For me, education is the number one priority; nothing should come ahead of education.”

Nora Shelly contributed reporting.

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