103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3402

 

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Sharon Chung

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/22-95 new

    Amends the School Code. Provides that, when hiring physical education, music, and visual arts educators, school districts must prioritize the hiring of educators who hold a teaching license and endorsement in those content areas. Provides that, if a school district is unable to hire a qualified candidate, the district may then hire a candidate who holds a valid professional educator license on a short-term basis. Provides that the professional educator license applicant must pass the content area test for which they are assigned to teach within one calendar year of the employment start date. Provides that, in order to retain employment for subsequent school years, the employee must complete 18 hours of course work in the content area in which they are teaching within 3 calendar years of their employment start date. Provides that in case of a reduction in force, districts may follow their local contract language for filling positions.


LRB103 27224 RJT 53594 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3402LRB103 27224 RJT 53594 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
522-95 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/22-95 new)
7    Sec. 22-95. Hiring priority.
8    (a) When hiring physical education, music, and visual arts
9educators, school districts must prioritize the hiring of
10educators who hold a teaching license and endorsement in those
11content areas.
12    (b) If a school district is unable to hire a qualified
13candidate under subsection (a), the district may then hire a
14candidate who holds a valid professional educator license.
15Hiring an applicant with a professional educator license shall
16be on a short-term basis. The professional educator license
17applicant must pass the content area test for which he or she
18is assigned to teach within one calendar year of the
19employment start date. In order to retain employment for
20subsequent school years, the employee must complete 18 hours
21of course work in the content area in which he or she is
22teaching within 3 calendar years of his or her employment
23start date.

 

 

HB3402- 2 -LRB103 27224 RJT 53594 b

1    (c) In case of a reduction in force, districts may follow
2their local contract language for filling positions.