SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to expedite the issuance of professional licenses, championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“This measure cuts red tape for new professionals entering the workforce,” Joyce said. “Advocating for hard-working Illinoisans is my top priority and this legislation does just that.”

The legislation was introduced after hearing word from local residents that the professional licensing process was taking too long. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted. The measure would expedite licenses for health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and other professionals.

“New professionals are waiting months to receive a license that they are qualified for and need to enter the workforce,” Joyce said. “While I appreciate the department’s efforts to reduce processing times with electronic renewals, I believe this legislation will help speed up the process.”

Senate Bill 670 moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To help eliminate the teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure out of the Senate to increase the number of days substitute teachers may cover for licensed teachers in the classroom.

“This measure will help our superintendents deal with the ongoing teacher shortage,” Joyce said. “This legislation allows substitutes to stay in the same classroom for longer, giving students more consistency.”

Currently, Illinois law allows substitute teachers to cover for a licensed teachers for up to 90 days. Joyce’s measure would increase the amount of days substitute teachers can stay in the classroom to 120. This measure helps keep substitute teachers in the same classroom, instead of having to teach lessons they are less familiar with after 90 days.

There are currently 4,120 unfilled positions in Illinois schools. This number includes administrative, school support personnel and teaching positions. Find out more information on the teacher shortage from the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Senate Bill 3893 cleared the Senate and advances to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To help eliminate the teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a plan out of the Senate Education Committee to increase the number of days substitute teachers may cover for licensed teachers in the classroom.

 “We need to provide our superintendents with every tool to assist with the ongoing teacher shortage,” Joyce said. “This legislation allows substitutes to stay in the same classroom for longer, giving students more consistency.”

 Currently, Illinois law allows substitute teachers to cover for a licensed teachers for up to 90 days. Joyce’s initiative would increase the amount of days substitute teachers can stay in the classroom to 120. This measure helps keep substitute teachers in the same classroom, instead of having to teach lessons they are less familiar with after 90 days.

 There are currently 4,120 unfilled positions in Illinois schools. This number includes administrative, school support personnel and teaching positions. Find out more information on the teacher shortage from the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

 Senate Bill 3893 passed the Senate Education Committee and awaits further consideration.  

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) issued the following statement following Gov. JB Pritzker’s Budget Address Wednesday:

“The governor introduced a budget proposal at a critical moment in our state’s history. As we continue our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are faced with many challenges, but this proposal sets forth the priorities to address them while also recognizing the importance of achieving and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

“Our top priority has to be working families and small businesses that have suffered over the past two years. This budget does a number of things that incentivize families through grocery tax freezes, a gas tax suspension and property tax rebates. This budget also sustains our small businesses and protects jobs in our communities.

“This proposed budget is just the beginning of the negotiation process, and I am hopeful we can come together to craft a smart, bipartisan budget that puts our state’s best foot forward.”