SPRINGFIELD – To continue her fight to address the teacher shortage, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that would remove the number of days short term substitute teachers can be in the classroom and application fees for teaching licenses, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“As a former special education teacher, I know the struggle of finding substitute teachers, especially with the ever-growing teacher shortage,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’ve heard from superintendents in the 49^th District and across the state that are desperately trying to find substitute teachers. This is one step we can take to further address the teacher shortage.”

Senate Bill 2236 would remove the number of days for short-term substitute teachers to teach in the classroom – allowing them to spend more time in the classroom if needed. Current law prohibits short term substitute teachers from teaching more than 15 consecutive days per licensed teacher.

The Loughran Cappel-led measure also removes application fees for teaching licenses. The current application fee for professional educator licenses and educator licenses are $100, substitute teaching license are $50 and short term substitute teaching license are $25.

“Teachers work every day to educate our kids,” Loughran Cappel said. “We have to remove the barriers schools are facing and streamline the process as we continue fighting to end the teacher shortage.”

Senate Bill 2236 passed the Senate with a vote of 57-0 and now heads to the House of Representatives.