HB 4652

Abstract

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to alleviate the financial burden of student teaching and to encourage students to pursue teaching careers to alleviate this State's teacher shortage. Provides that to participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher no later than June 1, 2025 or no later than June 1 each year thereafter. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1, 2025 and no later than July 1 each year thereafter and all eligible students shall be participants in the stipend program. Provides that no later than August 1, 2025 and no later than August 1 each year thereafter, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that the educator preparation program shall distribute stipend funds using the standard methods for allocating State-based financial aid or as wages for employment to each eligible student in monthly installments. Sets forth additional provisions concerning the distribution of funds. Provides for rulemaking. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes provisions specifying notification deadlines. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $2,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters per academic year, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of funds to eligible cooperating teachers. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible cooperating teacher from participating in the stipend program or receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning cooperating teacher training. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 40 ILCS 5/16-121 40 ILCS 5/16-127 40 ILCS 5/16-158 40 ILCS 5/16-203 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that "salary" includes stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Makes changes concerning how funds are to be distributed under the student teaching stipend program. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall disburse funds to the State Board of Education, who shall disburse funds to each school district or early childhood education provider employing an eligible cooperating teacher (instead of having the Board of Higher Education disburse funds to educator preparation programs employing an eligible cooperating teacher). Makes related changes. Makes changes concerning when the report shall be completed. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall provide guidance and technical assistance to educator preparation programs on the administration of the stipend program. Effective immediately.