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AQUINO MEASURE ADDRESSING TEACHER SHORTAGE WILL HEAD TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

05/23/2019

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation introduced by State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) to address Illinois’ teacher shortage by allowing more retired teachers to temporarily return to work passed the House today and will now head to the governor’s desk.

Under current law, a retired teacher may not be re-hired for more than 100 days per year or their pension payments will be suspended. Aquino’s measure, Senate Bill 1584, would extend that to 120 days per year and prohibits the cancellation of pension payments to the retiree.

“We have a devastating teacher shortage in our state and this measure will allow retired teachers to alleviate the burden placed on our educators,” said Aquino. “These are experts in their field, so it makes sense to allow them to fill the gap without forfeiting their pension benefits.”

Senate Bill 1584 now awaits the governor’s signature.