IL HR0808

Expresses concern that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) plans to hire three full-time "Storytellers" at approximately $47,400 per position to work in Springfield or Chicago offices.

States that "Storytellers" would create communications content and connect real-world school practices to education policy to build community support for ISBE programs.

Asserts this hiring is inappropriate given Illinois faces a statewide teacher shortage, budget uncertainty, and ISBE's inability to distribute historic education funding to schools across the state.

Urges ISBE to redirect resources toward distributing evidence-based funding on a timely basis rather than hiring additional public relations staff for a statewide promotion campaign.

Directs suitable copies of the resolution be delivered to State Board of Education Chairman James Meeks and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Smith.