SE Illinois News

Despite objections from Senate Republicans, a bill meant to address the state’s teacher shortage has passed the Senate 36-17, and is now awaiting its turn in the House.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Hillside), creates a mentoring program for new teachers and principals.

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), who is running for governor, objected to the bill, saying that it would be responsible for “replacing our children’s education with political indoctrination,” according to an article published April 28 in the Chicago Sun-Times. Bailey shared a link to the article in an April 29 Facebook post, where he highlighted one of his quotes from the article itself:

"I’ve had enough of these programs with strings attached that are funded through the hard-earned tax dollars of Illinoisans. It’s got to stop,” said Bailey. “Let me be clear, our nation was founded on July 4, 1776, and this ridiculous theory and racially divisive rhetoric are not bringing our state or our nation closer together — it’s dividing us. #standingwithyouin2022.”

The bill includes Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards, which were adopted by the Illinois State Board of education in March. Bailey argues these standards set a teacher up to have to “violate their own conscious when it comes to exposing students to socially controversial topics,” an article in The Center Square explained.

“I will not vote for a bill that puts more strings attached to our classrooms,” Bailey said. “It's time to start cutting strings and letting teachers teach, so our students can succeed.”

Lightford  contends that the cultural standards are about creating an environment where students from various backgrounds feel included and engaged in their education.

Teachers and principals in their first two years of work may qualify for the program in 2025, but the state Board of Education will prioritize funding districts that need it the most, the Center Square article continues.